ARTS charity Settle Stories is inviting children to snuggle down for bedtime with its new YouTube series, Matilda’s Bedtime Stories, featuring classics such as The Ugly Duckling, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
In the five minute videos, storyteller Matilda, played by Jessica Harris, reads fairy tales alongside her cuddly toy friends.
There are six episodes, which will be aired free this autumn, on a weekly basis from Friday, October 30, and afterwards, stored so they can be streamed at any time.
Settle Stories hoped that families will return week after week after the days start to draw in and as we head towards Christmas.
Jessica Harris said: “I hope that these fairytales will give little ones and parents a break from all the scary news at the minute. It was great to make these videos and be reminded of the brilliant and brave characters in these tales.”
The charity hopes that in the current state of uncertainty facing the world because of the coronavirus pandemic, the power of storytelling will help people through the difficult times.
Jessica added: “We hope Matilda’s Bedtime Stories will remind audiences why these fairy tales are loved worldwide.”
The featured stories are:
Hansel and Gretal: The Grimm brother’s tale where kindness and teamwork conquers evil with siblings Hansel and Gretal having to escape a witch from her deceptively delicious gingerbread house.
Goldilocks and The Three Bears: Everyone’s favourite fairy tale with mama, papa and baby bear and a hungry, sleepy Goldilocks.
The Ugly Duckling: The classic tale of the much maligned ugly ducking who turns out in the end to be a beautiful swan.
Jack and The Beanstalk: Follow young Jack as what appears to be a poor judgement at market turns out to be the best decision of his life as he climbs the beanstalk, defeats the giant and takes his golden goose.
Rapunzel: The girl with the long hair, locked up in a tower by an evil witch until a prince comes along to save her.
The Elves and The Shoemaker: The shoemaker is amazed time and time again when more shoes are made in his workshop overnight. When he discovers Elves doing the handiwork, his wife and him reward them and all their lives are changed for the better.
The first video will be uploaded on Friday October 30. To access the stories, visit: settlestories.org.uk
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