Kids Sleep: Whispers Through The Seasons

Join Andy in the magical land of Celestria, where the seasons guide your path. From Winter to Spring, you share breakfast by the campfire before meeting Ambrose the wizard, who leads you by horse and cart to the Buckleberry Woods. Mind the seal pups, they never stop talking! As Spring turns to Summer, Ambrose wanders off again, and you continue with Parthurnax the horse towards Fairendale.

After a night in the treetops, you awaken to the bustle of the city, meet unusual creatures, and seek Aerwyn the sorceress, who gifts you a potion and words of wisdom. Your journey pauses at Mithril Peak beneath the stars. At dawn, Autumn’s gold awakens you to Soft Claw the griffin, who carries you across the skies. He brings a final message: it is time to travel to the In-Between — a realm of rest, renewal, and wonder.

Recorded in 3D audio — best with headphones. Featuring Martyn Owen, Olivia Warren, and the singing of Francesca Richmond.

Transcript

We're almost there,

But always here.

As the tides turn and the seasons change,

Mist and mud,

Sand and stone,

Beckoning fires,

Bright and clear,

Smouldering to nothing,

Ever-changing,

Never-knowing,

Treading lightly as we go.

And what is this all about?

Patience,

Please,

And when we arrive,

Don't talk to the crabs,

They're very rude.

Air,

Earth,

Fire and water,

Everything that was once forged from the stars,

A reminder of where we came from,

And where we might be going,

And we do need reminding,

We seem to have lost our way.

And these footprints tell only the sand that we were here,

As the sea kindly clears the way for the next visitor,

With a splash,

Fizzle and gentle sigh.

And where are you heading?

And why the hurry?

A campfire to set the tone for this story.

Ambrose was over earlier to assemble this fine fiery fort,

And it will burn brightly,

A spark with perseverance.

And that's about as much as anyone can know right now.

Ah yes,

Ambrose is our resident wizard here in Bydwater,

A beautiful coastal area in the south of Celestria.

Ambrose will be joining us in the morning,

I do hope he finds this spot again,

He's a master of his magic,

But utterly hopeless when it comes to navigation.

Please,

Take your place by the fire.

Cup of tea?

And some jam toast?

Or would you prefer an egg?

Okay,

One moment.

Now,

Do you have your traveller's log with you?

Okay.

Uh-huh,

Uh-huh.

Yep,

That looks good.

Okay,

Let's have a look at you.

Yep,

Your story checks out,

And you're just as I thought you'd be.

New seekers often arrive this way,

Keen,

Curious,

With just a pinch of lost sheep about you.

Don't worry,

We'll figure it all out as we go.

Now cross my palm with five gold coins,

And I'll take you on an unforgettable adventure.

Thank you.

Oh,

How wonderful,

The seal pups have joined us.

Cheeky little things,

They sneak in for the fire,

You see.

Good morning,

Travellers.

Good morning,

Ambrose.

I take it you found us okay?

Yes,

Yes.

I'm a little later than I planned,

But earlier than expected.

Now,

Please,

Tuck in.

Fresh bread from Bucklebury.

Squigglebury jam from Misfur Village,

The best jam this side of Bydwater.

Ah,

The first day of spring,

Is it not?

Yes,

It must be as the albatross have arrived.

Just over there,

They must have smelt breakfast.

They can smell food from twelve miles away,

You know.

Good noses.

Right,

I'll get the last bits ready.

Over here,

I'm ready when you are.

Parthenax,

Calm your hooves.

Okay,

Traveller,

How are you doing there?

I'll just put the fire out.

You've been graced with warmth this fine morning,

So it is no longer needed.

Take your time to break bread,

And don't hold back on the jam.

Okay,

Our carriage awaits,

So jump on.

Welcome on board.

Off we go.

Aye,

Aye,

Parthenax.

To Farindale,

Via,

Um,

Bucklebury Wood.

And how are you doing there,

Traveller?

Feels a bit strange to be on the move after all this time.

Don't worry,

You'll get used to it.

In stillness and in motion.

With both,

We travel great distances.

Oh dear,

We seem to have found ourselves a landslide.

There's no other path to the top of these cliffs,

And these rocks look like they won't budge easily.

Oh dear.

Any ideas,

Ambrose?

Hmm,

Some magic is in order.

Let me see.

Ah,

Yes.

Rocks and mud,

Sand and stone,

Let us pass!

That did the trick.

Onwards to Bucklebury Wood.

Well done,

Ambrose.

You always find a way.

Oh,

Those lovely hooves are a sound to behold,

Aren't they?

And the rattle of the carriage,

It's really something.

And we can be grateful that the sun has made its bow,

And the birds have sung their song in the language of spring.

Holding back on the higher notes,

As they have nothing to prove.

Spring is our air element.

A time for freedom and growth.

New beginnings,

Curiosity,

And of course,

Lambs.

Lovely,

Lovely lambs.

And earth is our balancing force,

As we need to keep our feet on the ground as we grow.

Growing into what we already are,

A massive sunflower with giant leaves,

And a show-stopping hat.

Or a blade of grass,

Dancing on the breeze.

Which one would you like to be today?

Ah,

This is as good a place as any to stop and set up camp.

A lovely part of the woods,

In fact.

Ah,

Perfect.

Thank you,

Ambrose.

Okay,

Traveller,

That will do for today.

You've done exceptionally well.

Let's get that fire on.

Oh.

Oh.

One more try.

And another.

There we go.

Oh,

That's nice.

Oh,

Here's your sleeping bag and your pillow.

There we go.

Zip up tight,

My Traveller friend,

And have a lovely sleep.

Good night,

Travellers.

Good morning,

Traveller.

I take it you slept well.

Ambrose?

Oh,

He's gone.

He does disappear sometimes.

Ah,

A note.

And,

Of course,

It's from Ambrose.

Let's see what he's got to say.

Dear Andy and his Traveller friend.

I had to leave in the night as a bluewood fairy alerted me to some trouble in the mountains.

When I say trouble,

I actually mean a party.

Wizards only,

I'm afraid.

Please take my carriage and Parthenax to assist you onwards on this noble quest.

See you soon,

Ambrose.

Well,

That solves that mystery.

A wizard's party,

Of all things.

Here's a bit of breakfast to munch on.

Bread.

Fresh pine nuts.

Cherries.

And a nice cup of tea.

Okay,

We'd best get going.

Our carriage awaits.

Jump on.

I'll take the reins,

Unless you prefer to.

I'll go on then.

I'll navigate.

As Buckleberry Woods has led many astray.

Okay,

Parthenax.

Show us the meaning of slow and steady.

Ah,

We're here.

We've made it to Fairendale.

The City of Magic.

You can't see too much now,

As it's getting late.

But you'll see everything there is to see in the morning.

Time for a rest,

I think.

Okay,

Parthenax.

You can stay over here in the stable.

Lie down.

You've worked hard.

Now,

My traveller friend.

Follow me up to these treetops.

Where we shall sleep in one of the traveller cabins tonight.

Just along the boardwalk.

Simple lodgings,

But they'll do nicely.

Your bed is over there,

My friend.

Near the fire.

Now,

Drift off.

And we shall meet here in the morning.

Good morning,

My traveller friend.

Let's go outside and see what's what.

Ah,

Welcome to Fairendale.

The City of Magic.

And at times,

Mayhem.

I say city,

But it's more of a big village.

Built in the treetops.

Full of fairies,

Sorcerers,

Wizards,

Elves.

And animals that you've never seen before.

Like Blue Tons,

For instance.

Small blue fairy wind creatures.

The size of a cat.

But the face is that of a bush baby.

With bright green eyes.

That can draw you in.

They don't hold opinions.

But they are wise,

Shy and humble.

They behave like small children.

And to the world,

They seem confusing.

Yet people look at them and listen.

Onwards and upwards.

Let's walk.

To many,

This will seem a busy place.

But this is just the spontaneity of nature.

For in the blue fluff all above,

We have wind creatures.

Many messengers beating the air.

Lifting morale with their song.

And mosaic plumage.

Meanwhile,

The tree canopies allow speckled pools of light down into the dense woodland below.

Blankets of shadows concealing those who are not ready to be seen.

And at the centre of this city,

Rich flowerbeds in bloom.

The most colourful spectacle.

And also the place where there is stillness.

Peace.

A place where stories are told.

Now,

We best go and find Erwin,

The healer.

She lives up here somewhere.

Let's try this one.

Up a bit further.

This place is odd.

Ah,

Let's try this one.

This looks like her door.

Hello,

Erwin.

How are you?

Sorry it's been a while.

Hello,

Andy.

What a nice surprise.

And who is this?

Just another traveller who has read too many books but not enough pages.

I see.

One of those sheep and owl clothing sorts.

Come on in then,

I suppose.

Potion?

Why not?

We're in,

Er,

Fairendale?

I have strawberry optimism,

Banana regret,

Or perhaps something more complex and refined like kiwi and rhubarb rainbow catastrophe.

How about something with a bit more bite than bark?

But more sweet than sour.

OK.

A Coke float for both of you it is then.

Now,

How can I help you?

Well,

We have come quite some way now and we have found comfort and ease.

Well,

At least some of the time.

But something is still missing.

What in the sweet name of Sylvester McMonkey McBean is that about?

Right,

It is obvious that you need a clarity spell.

Let me see.

Honestly though,

You only come here for a spell or potion.

Nothing for months and then oh,

Let's visit Erwin because we want a special potion.

You're lucky I'm so good-natured.

Right,

Stay still.

There you go.

I'm finished.

Right.

I'm absolutely none the wiser.

Your spell is quite frankly rubbish.

I've never felt so deflated in my life.

Apart from a time I ran out of tea bags.

Look,

You idiot.

It won't work unless you go to Mithril Peak.

I thought that would be obvious.

You'll need three shards of Navarian Crystal too,

Of course.

Here you go.

Go up there,

Close your eyes and listen.

And stop trying so hard.

Now go.

I have things to do.

Okay,

Okay,

We're going.

Thanks,

Erwin.

I think that was a bit brash.

Come on,

Traveller.

Let's head over to Mithril Peak.

Oh,

Watch that step.

It's a wobbly one.

Not too far now.

Right.

Let me play with space and time for a moment.

That's enough walking already.

That's more like it.

Here we are.

I've got the crystals.

Here's a few.

I guess we should just close our eyes and see what happens.

Sit down here with me.

And we'll check in on the other side.

Hello,

Traveller.

I take it you're well rested.

Erwin's magic sent us to sleep.

Come.

Sit by the fire.

For this is as good a place as any to bring what is unfinished into the foreground.

It seems that autumn is beginning to speak more clearly.

Summer,

I bow to you.

You have been warm,

Exciting,

Bright.

Perhaps a tad busy and a little confusing.

And thank you,

Water,

For your healing.

Your humility and balance.

Your mist and splash.

I do believe we have found our level.

An autumn,

You wonderful,

Airy season.

With your slippery leaves,

Slower songs and wondrous pancakes.

Oh.

What's that up in the sky?

It's a griffin.

That's one of Erwin's.

Oh,

It looks like Softclaw.

The most gentle of the bunch.

Hello,

Softclaw.

Luckily,

I speak Griffonian.

He has a message from Erwin.

Hello,

You two.

Andy,

I'm guessing you're still rambling on about nothing and our poor traveler is none the wiser,

Yes?

I suggest that you fly to the in-between for some answers.

You can only get there at the end of autumn when all is quiet and settled and there is less nonsense.

Take Softclaw.

He knows the way.

Good luck.

And don't get big-headed if you discover the meaning of life.

Show off.

She can talk.

All her potion nonsense.

Gooseberry this and pineapple that.

They all taste the same and they all do the same thing.

Okay,

Traveler.

It's time to take to the skies to find this in-between.

Jump on.

Three spirits.

Lighter than air.

Bound to the earth for a time to explore and understand.

Every pattern we see from up here reminds us of how lucky we are.

Everything looks brighter from up here.

What is it we're searching for?

Hurry up.

We must be dreaming.

Floating on high winds we feel the air in-between our fingers.

It rolls over us as we soar.

The ground below us cools as summer hands over its fiery wake to autumn.

The colours darken into a deep blue with starry cloak and happy moon.

Hello,

Traveler.

It's time to wake up.

Here's a blanket.

It's a bit colder up here in the stars.

We are close to the end of this journey on the edge of dawn as the gate of autumn creaks open with a sigh.

Oh.

We're here.

Okay.

You can jump down.

It's perfectly safe.

Thank you,

Soft claw.

Your work is done.

You may return to Erwin.

Well,

Traveler.

It's been quite a ride.

In movement,

In stillness.

We have travelled a great distance.

And now it is time to return to your world.