The Best Bedtime Stories To Read To Children
With the advent of television and the internet, everything has changed. However, there is still a tradition that many families with children still have: telling bedtime stories. They are fairy tales that parents tell their children to help them sleep.
Fairy tales unite parents and children of different generations. In addition to being a way to allow children to fall asleep easily, it is an excellent opportunity to pass on values to your children.
For this reason, in this article we will introduce you to some of the best bedtime stories known to date. It is very likely that some of them were part of your childhood.
The Three Little Pigs (James Orchard Halliwell): one of the classic bedtime stories
Most likely, many remember this fairy tale which is a classic for children. It tells the story of three little pigs who decide to build their homes to protect themselves from the big bad wolf.
While the first two quickly build their houses with straw and stones to be able to play again, the third pig, who was more judicious, built a brick house.
The result: the wolf managed to enter the houses of the first two pigs who were forced to take refuge in the brick house of the third pig. It is important to focus the narrative in such a way that children understand the importance of getting things right.
The Ugly Duckling (Hans Christian Andersen)
Once upon a time there was a pond full of cute and promising ducklings, but one day a rather ugly one was born. The rejection of the rest of the duckling company prompted the ugly duckling to move away from the group. This allowed him to understand his true worth as a living being.
The unexpected thing was that, once grown, the duckling became the most beautiful swan in the pond. This bedtime story written by Hans Christian Andersen teaches children to be patient, appreciate inner beauty, and understand that people shouldn’t be judged on their physical appearance.
Bedtime Tales: Puss in Boots (Charles Perrault)
An old miller bequeaths only a cat to the last of his three children. The boy looks sorry, however, the cat starts talking and tells the boy that if he provides him with a bag and a pair of boots, he will never have to worry about poverty.
Eventually, the cat will manage to turn the boy into a powerful marquis protected by the king. Through this fable written by Charles Perrault, children can understand that sometimes, even if you have little but are intelligent and humble, you can do great things.
The Emperor’s New Suit (Hans Christian Andersen)
Once upon a time there was a very rich emperor who spent his fortune only on elegant clothes. One day, some scammers came up with a “cool” idea and he invested a lot of money in this lawsuit.
In the end, the dress was nothing more than a see-through robe showing the naked king. The councilors and the people played the crooks’ game and applauded the king for the beautiful dress he wore. One day, however, a boy made fun of the king because, practically, he was walking around naked. Conclusion: the clothes we wear say nothing about us.
Bedtime Tales: Little Red Riding Hood (Charles Perrault)
It’s one of the classic bedtime stories. Everything happens when Little Red Riding Hood doesn’t follow her grandmother’s advice and goes into the forest. This decision puts the child in grave danger due to the presence of a big bad wolf.
Surely, each of us remembers the phrase: “What big teeth you have …”. That sequence of questions can make the story interactive by entertaining children who will answer the questions while remaining attentive to the story. The moral: it is important to listen to the advice of the elders.
Jack and the Beanstalk (original author unknown)
Jack and his mother are poor, but they have a cow that they could sell to raise some money. The boy goes to the market and a lady offers him to buy the animal in exchange for some magic beans that would allow him to get what he wants.
Giacomino accepts the strange exchange, but his mother is not happy because she needs the money. The boy wanted to buy beans to stop bedwetting. Jack plants the beans and the next morning they grow up to the sky and he climbs up to the top.
With a lot of effort the child gets to the top and learns that he doesn’t need magic to get what he wants. This fable promotes the value of effort and commitment and helps children stop bedwetting.
Cinderella (Charles Perrault)
This will be one of little girls’ favorite bedtime stories. The protagonist is a girl abused by her cousins and aunt. The latter cruelly forces her to do all the housework without ever being able to rest.
One day, Prince Charming organizes a ball to decide who he will marry. The fairy godmother helps Cinderella get out of the house and also makes her a dress that will allow her to go to the ball where she and prince charming will fall in love.
With this tale, little girls learn that working is not a bad thing and that being bad will never allow them to find true love.
