How to read this one: This sleepover bedtime story comes in three short parts: Evening, Midnight, and Morning. Read it all at once, or read one part a night in the days before your child’s own first sleepover.
Nori Sleeps Over
Part 1: Evening
Nori the koala had packed her bag all by herself.
Pajamas. Toothbrush. Her soft blue blanket. And Mr. Gum, her little stuffed eucalyptus leaf.
Tonight was her very first sleepover, at her best friend Biscuit the wombat’s den.
“Have fun, my brave girl,” said Mama, hugging her tight. “And remember, if you need me, you can always call.”
“I won’t need to,” said Nori. “I’m big now.”
At Biscuit’s den, everything was fun.
They built a blanket fort. They ate leaf crackers. Biscuit’s mum made them warm honey milk, and they laughed until their tummies hurt.
Part 2: Midnight
Then the lights went out.
Biscuit fell asleep right away, snoring a little wombat snore. Hrrr. Hrrr.
But Nori lay awake.
The den smelled different. The ceiling looked different. The quiet sounded different.
At home, Mama always hummed a little song. At home, Nori could see the big gum tree outside her window.
Nori’s eyes got wet. Her chin wobbled. She hugged Mr. Gum.
“I miss home,” she whispered.
Biscuit’s mum heard a tiny sniffle and came in with a small light. She sat down next to Nori.
“Missing home is okay,” she said softly. “It means you have a home you love. Would you like to call your mama?”
Nori nodded.
Mama’s voice on the phone was warm and sleepy. “Hello, my brave girl.”
“I’m not brave,” Nori sniffed. “I miss you.”
“Missing me and being brave can happen at the same time,” said Mama. “Want me to hum our song?”
So Mama hummed. And Nori closed her eyes and imagined the big gum tree, right outside the window.
Part 3: Morning
When Nori opened her eyes, sunlight was pouring into the den.
She had slept the whole night!
“Good morning!” said Biscuit, bouncing up. “Mum’s making pancakes!”
They ate pancakes with honey. They played in the fort one more time. And when Mama came to pick her up, Nori ran to her with a giant hug.
“I missed you in the night,” Nori said. “But I did it. I slept over.”
“You did,” said Mama. “My brave girl.”
Nori smiled. “Can I do it again next week?”
The end. Missing home and being brave can happen at the same time.
Story by the TalesKids team · Ages 5-7 · About 6 minutes to read aloud
First Sleepover Checklist
- Pack one comfort item from home, like Nori’s blanket and Mr. Gum.
- Agree on a “you can always call” plan, and tell the host family too.
- Talk ahead of time about what might feel different at night.
- Start small: a sleepover at a grandparent’s or close friend’s home is a great first step.
- Praise the trying, not just the finishing. Coming home early is still brave.
For more advice on homesickness and first nights away, see KidsHealth from Nemours.
More stories about brave firsts: Nadia and the Dream We Fixed Together, Dune the Hermit Crab Finds a New Home, and The Brave Little Bear.
