Bedtime Stories for 8 Year Olds
At eight, children want bedtime stories with a little more depth and a lot more character. This library is written for that appetite — short but satisfying, adventurous but calming. Free bedtime stories perfect for ages 8 and up.
30 stories
Adventure Bedtime Stories
Animal Bedtime Stories
How the Camel Got His Hump
In the beginning of years, when the world was new, one lazy Camel refused to lift a hoof — until a Djinn of the desert taught him a wobbly, humphy lesson.
How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin
On an uninhabited island in the Red Sea, a Baker of more-than-oriental splendour bakes a cake — and a very rude Rhinoceros learns a wrinkly lesson.
How the Kangaroo Got His Legs
Long ago in the great southern land, one proud Kangaroo asked three gods to make him different — and Yellow-Dog Dingo did the rest.
The Beginning of the Armadillos
On the banks of a great brown river, a Prickly Hedgehog and a Slow-and-Solid Tortoise outwit a Painted Jaguar with tongue-twisters — and become a wholly new animal.
How the Leopard Got His Spots
In the days when everybody started fair, the Leopard of the High Veldt learned that the whole world had gone into different patterns — and that he must too.
The Cat That Walked By Himself
In the days when the tame animals were wild, the wildest of all was the Cat. This is the story of how he came to sit by the fire — and still, somehow, walk by himself.
Dragon Bedtime Stories
The Baby Who Made a Dragon Smile
A bedtime story for ages 7-8 about a blacksmith who discovers a dragon in his cellar — and the one member of his family brave enough to make friends with it.
King Leo and the Magic Book
A bedtime story for ages 7-8: young King Leo finds a forbidden book full of magical creatures — and must fix a dangerous mistake before it's too late.
Sabrinetta and the Fiery Dragon
A bedtime story for ages 7-8: the kingdom is terrorised by a fiery dragon, and the princess discovers that the one thing a dragon cannot burn is a truly kind heart.
Fable Bedtime Stories
The Lion and the Mouse
A lion laughs when a mouse promises to repay his mercy — until the day she does. A full retelling of Aesop's classic fable. For ages 7 to 8.
The Hare and the Tortoise
The fastest creature in the meadow falls asleep mid-race while the steadiest creature wins it. A full Aesop fable retelling for ages 7 to 8.
The Crow and the Pitcher
When the water is too low to reach, a crow refuses to give up and finds a way — one stone at a time. Aesop's fable retold for ages 7 to 8.
Friendship Bedtime Stories
How the First Letter Was Written
On the banks of an ancient river, a Neolithic girl named Taffy invented picture-writing to send home for her father's spare spear — and caused the biggest muddle her tribe had ever seen.
How the Alphabet Was Made
Long ago on a riverbank, a little girl named Taffy and her Daddy invented the alphabet — a sound-picture at a time.
Magical Bedtime Stories
Mythical Bedtime Stories
Perseus and the Mirror Shield
Perseus uses wit, borrowed gifts, and a polished shield to defeat Medusa and free Andromeda in this full Greek myth retelling. For ages 7 to 8.
King Midas and the Golden Wish
King Midas gets his wish and loses everything he loves — a full retelling of the Greek myth about greed and gratitude. For ages 7 to 8.
Bellerophon and the Winged Horse
Bellerophon tames Pegasus through patience and trust, then faces impossible tasks set by a king who expected him to fail. For ages 7 to 8.
Ocean Bedtime Stories
How the Whale Got His Throat
In the sea, once upon a time, there was a Whale who ate every fish there was — until he was tricked into swallowing one small sailor of Infinite Resource and Sagacity.
The Crab That Played With the Sea
In the Time of the Very Beginnings, Pau Amma the King Crab ran off from the Eldest Magician's game — and the whole sea began to run wild until the Magician set matters right.
Pirate Bedtime Stories
Captain Pearl and the Rainbow Treasure
A bedtime story for ages 7-8: Captain Pearl has searched the whole ocean for legendary treasure — but the final clue leads somewhere she never expected.
The Night the Stars Led Us Home
A bedtime story for ages 7-8: the pirate ship Salty Cracker is lost at sea in thick fog — and the youngest sailor must find a way home using only the stars.
Old Salty and the Mermaid's Map
A bedtime story for ages 7-8 about the world's oldest sailor, a mermaid's bargain, and a glowing rock that most pirates believe is only a legend.
Princess Bedtime Stories
The Princess in the Tower
A bedtime story for ages 7-8 about a princess who has watched the world from her tower window all her life — and what changes the day she finally steps outside.
Princess Jenna Who Always Said No
A bedtime story for ages 7-8 about a princess whose stubbornness everyone thinks is a problem — until the day it turns out to be the one thing that saves the kingdom.
Princess Marigold and the Lost Crown
A bedtime story for ages 7-8 about a princess whose crown goes missing — and the surprising characters she meets while following the trail to find it.
Space Bedtime Stories
Cadet Tom and the Runaway Rocket
On his seventh day at Space Academy, Tom Corbett accidentally launches a training rocket and must navigate home using only the stars. For ages 7–8.
Astro and the Sleeping Stars
When the Academy's power cuts out, Tom discovers Astro's secret—and a late-night lesson in the colours of stars begins. For ages 7–8.
Commander Rosa and the Meteor Parade
When an uncharted meteor shower fills the sky, Commander Rosa wakes her crew for a night that none of them will ever log properly. For ages 7–8.
Want a bedtime story where YOUR child is the hero?
Reserve your StoryFriend for £1 and we'll write a personalised bedtime story starring your child by name — delivered on the softest bedtime companion they'll ever hug.