The Longest Night
A short Christmas story for reading aloud — about the night that would not end and the child who waited through it. States its read-aloud time at the top.
Choosing by the minutes you have
Each story on this page carries its read-aloud time in minutes, and so does the story itself. Both are stated plainly, because choosing a story is as much about the ten minutes before bed as it is about taste, and a parent scanning the list at half past seven needs to know which one will fit.
The time comes from how long the words take to say aloud, not from how long the story feels once you are in it.
- Short: for the night there is only a few minutes before lights out.
- Longer: for an evening with time to spare, read in one sitting or split across two nights.
All the stories are listed further down this page with their read-aloud times shown, including The Longest Night, The Greencoat and The Pudding Problem.
The stories
Six to choose from, each with a read-aloud time, so you can pick one that fits the minutes you actually have.
The Greencoat
A short Christmas story for reading aloud — about the figure in the green coat and why he comes in winter. States its read-aloud time at the top.
The Pudding Problem
A short Christmas story for reading aloud — about a pudding that went wrong and what came of it. States its read-aloud time at the top.
What the Robin Saw
A short Christmas story for reading aloud — told from the point of view of a robin on Christmas morning. States its read-aloud time at the top.
The Box of Stars
A short Christmas story for reading aloud — about a box that holds something better than anyone expected. States its read-aloud time at the top.
The Last Cracker
A short Christmas story for reading aloud — about the very last cracker and who gets to pull it. States its read-aloud time at the top.