Bedtime Stories
Calm stories for bedtime, free to read online. Illustrated and narrated in audio in the Volpi app.
The River in the Painting
One night, Tomás hears the murmur of the river in the painting on his bedroom wall. With Lino beside him, he steps inside and boards a boat led by six swans. Among talking trees and a curious fish, he sets off to discover where the river goes. A gentle adventure to enjoy before bedtime.
The Princess and the Pea
A prince travels the world in search of a true princess, but none of them seem to be quite what he is looking for. Until, on a stormy night, a soaking-wet young woman arrives at the palace gates claiming to be a real princess. Still unsure, the queen comes up with a curious test to discover the truth: an enormous bed, twenty mattresses, twenty featherbeds… and one tiny pea hidden beneath them all. A gentle and charming adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, perfect for enjoying a simple, playful story full of warmth and wonder.
Snow White
When the queen’s magic mirror declares Snow White the fairest in the kingdom, the princess is forced to flee into the forest. There, seven dwarfs welcome her as a sister. One day, an old woman knocks at the cottage door and offers her a shiny red apple with a dangerous secret.
Cinderella
After losing her mother and watching illness slowly erase her father’s memories, Cinderella is left in the care of a cruel stepmother who forces her to become a servant in her own home. When the prince announces a grand ball, it seems that Cinderella will be the only one unable to attend. But with the help of her eccentric godmother, and a handful of little mice, an old pumpkin, a dress filled with memories, and a touch of magic will change her fate. A warm, funny, and moving retelling of Charles Perrault’s classic tale, in which Cinderella’s kindness and her love for her father are every bit as important as the ball, the prince, and the unforgettable glass slipper.
The Elves and the Shoemaker
A kind shoemaker works tirelessly, but despite all his effort, he can barely afford enough leather to make one final pair of shoes. With hope fading, he carefully prepares the pieces and leaves them on his workbench for the next morning. But during the night, two tiny mysterious elves sneak into the workshop and create the most beautiful shoes anyone has ever seen. As the magical helpers return night after night, the shoemaker’s fortunes begin to change. But when he and his wife finally discover who has been helping them, they decide it is time to give something back. A warm and magical classic tale about kindness, gratitude, and the joy of helping others.
The Ugly Duckling
The Ugly Duckling: One of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories that teaches us the value of self-esteem and the importance of accepting our differences. This endearing tale shows us the journey of a little duckling who, despite being rejected, discovers his true beauty and potential.
The Seven Little Goats
The Seven Little Goats and the Wolf (H. Grimm): A children's classic that has captivated generations. Mother goat warns her seven little ones about the cunning wolf and his tricks (soft voice, white paws). Will the kids be able to escape danger and recognize the truth behind the deceptions? A tale of prudence, ingenuity, and maternal love. Ideal for family enjoyment and learning. Available in text, audio, and video
The Selfish Giant
The Selfish Giant is a classic children’s story about a giant who selfishly shuts children out of his beautiful garden, only to discover that eternal winter follows wherever kindness is refused. As the seasons pass and loneliness grows, the giant learns that joy returns when he opens his heart and welcomes the children back. In the end, a mysterious little child leads him toward redemption, turning the garden into a symbol of compassion, renewal, and love.
Hansel & Gretel
Hansel and Gretel follows two siblings living in extreme poverty whose parents abandon them deep in a vast forest when food runs out. Hansel tries to lead the way home—first with pebbles, then with breadcrumbs—but the trail disappears, and the children wander until they discover a mysterious house made of sweets. Welcomed inside by an old woman who is secretly a witch, Hansel is imprisoned to be fattened up, and Gretel is forced to work—until she uses her wits to push the witch into the oven, free her brother, and escape with treasure that brings them safely back to their family.
Frequently asked questions
Right here: a selection of calm bedtime stories to read online for free. They’re all narrated in audio — to listen to them in full, download the free Volpi app.
Calm, classic tales like The River in the Painting, The Princess and the Pea, Snow White, Cinderella, The Elves and the Shoemaker, The Ugly Duckling, The Seven Little Goats, The Selfish Giant and Hansel & Gretel — ideal for winding down.
Most run 7 to 15 minutes narrated — a perfect length for the bedtime routine.