Do you remember bedtime stories from your childhood? Do you have a favorite?

Question

I have written a blog on the topic, and I would be honored if you would read my words, and leave a comment if you like.

If you would like a response to your answer, please indicate with an *.

Faith:
I think you know the answer to your own question. You would have a great deal of impact, as you have had on me today. So, to partially borrow from a biblical passage, what hinders you from writing today?

Answer 1

My parents took time to read to me every day throughout the day. Sitting down with Mom or Dad or the whole family for a story is a happy and most wonderful memory for me. It was a time of comfort and security when nothing would go wrong in my life and when nothing would interrupt us. Story time made me feel warm and loved. Being together with my parents, feeling their arms wrapped around me, and knowing they cared and were interested in what I was interested in made me feel so loved. Story time was also a time of freedom for me. It enriched my imagination, and anything was possible in my dreams. I could become lost in a story; I could become part of it. With a story, I could change what I did not like. Nothing could control me, and I was free to be or do anything. Since having a child of my own, I have pulled out many of my old books and discovered to my astonishment that the stories inside are nothing like what I remember. I look at those books and ask, "Where did this part of the story go and where did that part come from?"
One of my favorite stories was a Little Golden Book about a little cottontail rabbit. I don't know the title. The bunny's mother was teaching him how to be safe from danger--crouch low, look, listen, smell, run zigzag. In the end, he escaped from a fox by doing what his mother told him. I wish I still had that story for my son. Other stories I loved were those by Thornton Burgess. They inspired me to make up stories of my own. I'd say that the story I loved more than any other was Summer of the Monkeys. My Dad read it to our family over and over. It would take many days to read, and we would laugh and cry together. I loved spending that time with my family.
My Mom always read Bible stories to me at bedtime. I think my favorite was the story of Hannah asking the Lord for a baby and then dedicating her son Samuel to the Lord. I admired her strength and the way she followed through with her promise. It also gave me great hope when I read how the Lord blessed her as a result. The story of Esther and the story of Ruth and Boaz were two others I loved to hear. I think the most confusing Bible story I heard as a child was the one of the 2 mothers standing before King Solomon fighting over a baby. My brother was always asking to hear that story at bedtime, and I could not understand it. Why would a woman steal another woman's child when her own died? Why would she want the king to cut that baby in half so the 2 women could share it? That story horrified me. I could not understand why that woman acted that way. And then it happened to me 6 years ago, and I finally understood. I no longer see that woman as horrible, cruel, and vindictive. I feel sad for her because she experienced the worst kind of pain I know. She was hurting and angry. What she did was wrong, but I can now understand it and identify. It is interesting to me that this story that I heard so often as a child was able to help me during the hardest time of my life. The guilt I felt over my emotions no longer consumed me once I realized (through this story) that other women had experienced the same feelings I did after losing a child.
I know I have gotten carried away responding to this question. I am awed at the way the stories from my childhood have influenced my life. I enjoyed your blog entry. It touched my heart. When I had my first story for children published, it was a dream come true for me. My desire to write began with the stories I heard as a child. Although I no longer write children's stories, I often wonder how I might have impacted or changed a child's life with my stories if I had kept trying.

Answer 2

Hey, I found another one of your questions!
Oh, yes...probably "The Laughing Dragon."
It is about a magical dragon who breathes fire therefore keeping the emperor's palace warm. The problem is he torches everything around when he laughs. He is punished by being exiled to a far away island because of his uncontrollable blowtorch laugh. His former homeland experiences the coldest winter ever and the poor Emperor's toes are frozen cold. The dragon is taught self-control and allowed back home. The animals and citizens love and respect the dragon much more the second time around which fills the dragon's heart full of joy.

Wow, perhaps I have just now learned the moral of this story, 35 years later. (sniff)

My home has too much fire but I'm the one that wants out.

Answer 3

My favorite bedtime story is not an actual story, but one my Mom made up.....

About how the day I was born all the angels from heaven came to the hospital to deliver me safely, and how once I arrived everyone from near and far gathered around to see the blue-eyed fair-haired angelbaby that God had sent to earth. Sure, it was corny, but it always made me smile as a little girl. And it made me feel very safe, and very loved. (Good job Mom!)

And I thoroughly enjoy your blog. You have wonderful insight into human nature and emotions. If you are not a published writer yet then you definitely need to pursue it, because you have a gift. I am glad your father gave you that comfort and security at an age when children really need it. He sounds like a wonderful man, as does his son.

Answer 4

Great question. You know... sadly I don't remember being read bedtime stories. Mom just tucked us in, kissed us, and turned out the light. But, when I had nieces and nephews stay with me I read stories to them. One of my favorites was "The Emperor's New Clothes." It is funny and teaches kids to think for themselves.

Just the other day I read a story about a little lightning bug who couldn't light up. It was just wonderful and if I had children in my life now I would certainly have bought the book. The artwork in the book was great too. It's called, "Leo the Lightning Bug." Here's a link to it at Amazon books. I almost bought it the day I saw it----- just because.
http://www.amazon.com/Leo-Lightning-Bug-Audio-CD/dp/0970380909

Thanks for asking this question. I look forward to seeing other's answers.

Answer 5

Bedtime stories rather than books I read myself as a child...umm

The Faraway Tree

but my children's absolute favourite was 'Old Henry'

Answer 6

the Princess and the Pea

but my mother would read it in the morning when she arrives from work, she works everynight so i only look at the picture before i go to sleep...you see i cannot read yet lol...i was still a little angel then...

Answer 7

i never heard any bedtime stories i read to my self and i always read love stories but still yet to understand the word sorry but i love your question

Answer 8

OMG YES I HAD SO MANY BEDTIMES STORIES BUT MY FAV. WAS THE ONE ABOUT THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF BECAUSE IT REALLY GOT MY AATTENTION AND AT THE SAME TAUGHT ME A LESSON AND ALSO STORIES MY MOM AND DAD WOULD TELL ME USING ME AS THE SUBJECT IN THE STORIES!

Answer 9

it wasn't a bedtime story but i remember asking my father what was heaven like and telling him i wanted to be a child when i got there and he looking me with a strange expression that i didn't understand, he died 11 months ago and i hope he's there

Answer 10

I forgot - but my brother was making up some adventure imagination story. Sorry.