Welcome to story time...

A place to find a brand new children's story five days a week. Often coming back to the themes of sleep and restfulness and even humor and faith, I am writing original stories for babies and young children. Comment here with your child's name and they might even make it into a story!
~ Please note there is only one story per page. To read additional stories, scroll down to click on older posts.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Listen to Your Parents

Do you listen to your mom and dad?
I hope you do or that could be bad
They say a lot as we go about our day
Teaching and correcting while we play

But have you ever pictured in your head,
What might happen when they've said...

On the way to school...


When you're at the pool...


When you ask for a snack...


When you're headed back...


When you give Sis a shove...



When you need some love...


And finally, when it is time for bed
They put a funny thought in your head...


Listen to your parents!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

It's Bedtime

Mommy calls out, “It’s bedtime, little peep!”  But I don’t feel I’m ready for sleep
“Please, not just yet,” to mom I say, I am wide awake and still want to play

Even so, mom starts to clean toys, that’s the first step for young girls and boys
I’m not quite done with this, a ball I borrow.  Mom says, “Ah ah, it will be here tomorrow”

I go down the hall, dad brushes my teeth, it takes too long, three minutes at least!
Then crammed into jammies that somehow feel smaller, everyone tells me, “You’ve gotten taller!”

And now it’s time to read a nice book, but it’s done too soon, I want one more look
Mommy sighs and says, “Only one more time.”  This part of bedtime is just so sublime

Mom shuts the book, the rocking chair slows, what’s coming next, everyone knows
“It’s time to get in your crib, Sleepy head”.  I wriggle, and giggle, and squiggle instead

Two gentle hands, lay me down, rub my head.  Hmm, maybe I am ready for bed
But wait, I can still do some clapping, and if you look close, my foot, it is tapping

Mommy is tired, but she gets the giggles, she must be laughing at all my wiggles
“Be still” she continues, “And get some rest.”  I put on a smile, my sweetest and best

“I love you sweet child, sleep tight little one.”  I know my time for tricks is done
My parents whisper as they leave the room, “I think our child will be asleep soon”

“Oh wait! Not so fast,”  I try to outcry.  “Now I’m hungry and my throat feels so dry”
I see my mommy shrug her shoulder.  “And does this room feel a little colder?”

Daddy tells me I’m trying to protest, but I need a snack before I can rest
Warm milk, some cheese, and three ice creams, “That’s too much, you will have strange dreams”

To stay up later it was worth a shot, I thought I would win, but in fact I did not
Two crackers and water calmed my tummy, I am back in bed now, wrapped like a mummy

“No more excuses,” My parents say, “You must save it all for another day”
It’s so hard for boys and girls to stop, on our list of to-dos, sleep is not at the top

A few more thumps and bumps and cries, but soon I give way to tired sighs
I guess a short snooze sounds kind of okay, so now I must get in just the right way

My knees tucked under, my backside perched here, nose smashed down, with my blankie near
My right thumb twisted just like this, my teddy bear, Roosevelt, needs a kiss

My ankles turned inward, and elbows out. My hair parted down the middle, or else I’ll shout
My arms crisscrossed, my feet face the door, slight bend of the toes… almost got it….


SNORE!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Five Groggy Froggies (Full Version)


Five groggy froggies sittin' on a pad, feelin' tired, uninspired, genuinely bad.

Skin was dryin', time was flyin', gettin' pretty late.
One thought, "I oughter hop in the water."  Now he's feelin' great!



Four sleepy sheepies out on pastures fair, wanting food, bad attitutdes, tempers start to flare
They cannot prance, they will not dance, all they do is pout.  
One thought, "This grazing is amazing."  Now she skips about!




Three sighin' lions snoozin' in the breeze, tossing, turning, roasting, burning, 
hoping for a freeze


The sun is high and they are fryin', all they need is shade

One thought, "This tree is good for me."  Now he's got it made!




Two drowsy mousies dozing in the hay, one is snoring, it's a boring, unproductive day
So many sneezes, out of cheeses, need to buy some cheddar
One thought, "The store is through this door." Now she feels much better!

One lazy baby tryin' to go to bed, doesn't know it, but he shows it, he's a sleepy head
Say, "I love you", hug and kiss too, do not make a peep
Just lay your head down in your bed, and now you're fast asleep!