The Reading Bug Podcast - Original Adventures, Bedtime Stories and Music for Kids
Kids & Family Podcasts
Let’s fly! ✨ The Reading Bug Podcast is a collection of original audio stories for kids — featuring immersive adventures, cozy bedtime stories, bite-sized story snacks, and curious science questions — all brought to life with original music, original characters and vivid storytelling. Listeners can: Travel anywhere imagination can take them in Reading Bug Adventures — cinematic, two-part story journeys filled with characters, music, and audience participation Wind down with Lauren’s Little Bedtime Stories, calming tales and gentle songs perfect for bedtime and quiet moments Enjoy Story Snacks with The Book Worm - short, immersive stories designed for quick listening and big imagination Explore the world through Fact Fly’s One Big Question, where curious “why?” questions lead to fun, kid-friendly science discoveries Every episode is created, written, and produced by The Reading Bug, an award-winning, family-owned, independent children’s bookstore, with the goal of helping kids fall in love with stories, music, and learning. Perfect for car rides, quiet time, and bedtime. Learn more at readingbugadventures.com.
Location:
San Carlos, California
Description:
Let’s fly! ✨ The Reading Bug Podcast is a collection of original audio stories for kids — featuring immersive adventures, cozy bedtime stories, bite-sized story snacks, and curious science questions — all brought to life with original music, original characters and vivid storytelling. Listeners can: Travel anywhere imagination can take them in Reading Bug Adventures — cinematic, two-part story journeys filled with characters, music, and audience participation Wind down with Lauren’s Little Bedtime Stories, calming tales and gentle songs perfect for bedtime and quiet moments Enjoy Story Snacks with The Book Worm - short, immersive stories designed for quick listening and big imagination Explore the world through Fact Fly’s One Big Question, where curious “why?” questions lead to fun, kid-friendly science discoveries Every episode is created, written, and produced by The Reading Bug, an award-winning, family-owned, independent children’s bookstore, with the goal of helping kids fall in love with stories, music, and learning. Perfect for car rides, quiet time, and bedtime. Learn more at readingbugadventures.com.
Twitter:
@thereadingbug
Language:
English
Contact:
6508883042
Episodes
Fact Fly: What Makes Computers So Smart?
1/15/2026
The Fact Fly's One Big Question Are computers actually geniuses, or are they just really, really good at following directions? Join Lauren and the Fact Fly as they explore the inner workings of a computer. From binary code to the difference between RAM and long-term storage, this episode reveals the high-speed logic behind every click, tap, and sparkly pixel. Discover the secret "Three-Step Dance" of computing and find out why your tablet doesn't have dreams or snack cravings—it’s just a pro at the ultimate information speed-run! Perfect for future coders, tech enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the invisible city living inside their favorite gadgets.
Duration:00:16:49
Story Snack: Ada and the Mechanical Masterpiece
1/14/2026
Book Worm’s Story Snacks | The Mechanical Masterpiece Can a machine made of gears and steam really learn how to "think"? Travel back to Victorian London with the Book Worm to explore the brilliant mind of the world's first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace. What starts as a curious visit to a world of fog and invention quickly turns into a high-stakes fix-it mission to find and fix whatever has broken Ada's Analytical Engine. Join the visionary Ada, navigate a maze of clanking gears inside the massive Analytical Engine, and help assemble the world’s first "step-by-step recipe" for technology. Together, you’ll discover the power of Algorithms, the magic of Loops, and how “Poetical Science” paved the way for the computers we use today—all through teamwork, logic, and a little imagination.
Duration:00:19:14
Bedtime Stories: Humphree's Heartlight
1/13/2026
Lauren's Little Bedtime Stories Wind down, and get ready for bedtime with a charming story from Lauren. Can a tiny robot with a flickering light find his inner glow? Journey to the whirring, neon city of Gearhaven, where Humphree teams up with a lost girl named Junie for a nighttime adventure filled with marshmallow foam, "laser noodles," and unexpected bravery. It’s a cozy sci-fi tale that proves the brightest light in the universe comes from being a friend. Settle in and get cozy—it’s time to help Humphree find his light.
Duration:00:17:25
Adventure Encore: A Robot Adventure, Part 1
1/12/2026
A Reading Bug Adventure with Original Songs An Adventure Encore Episode. Part 1 of 2. Join Lauren and the Reading Bug as they are whisked into a Robot Adventure at the Institute for Robots and Intelligent Machines. Guided by Roby, a friendly humanoid robot, listeners learn how robots sense, think, and act — from drones and rovers to helpful trashbots and robotic pets. But when Roby discovers that a beloved therapy dogbot named Fido is about to be recycled, he asks for help on a daring rescue mission to reunite Fido with a heartbroken girl named Remi. Along the way, the friends learn about empathy, courage, and what it really means to have a heart. Packed with STEM learning, music, and warmth, this episode explores whether being “real” is about how you’re built — or how you care for others.
Duration:00:45:26
Fact Fly: Why Do We Sneeze?
1/8/2026
The Fact Fly's One Big Question Why does the human face suddenly explode with air at highway speeds whenever it feels like it? Join Lauren and the Fact Fly as they uncover the truth about today's One Big Question: Why Do We Sneeze? From the sticky cilia of the nose tunnel to the brain’s mysterious "sneeze center," this episode dives into the 100-mile-per-hour science behind our body's fastest protective reflexes. Discover why looking at the sun makes some people "glitch," why a dog’s sneeze is actually a friendly secret handshake, and the truth behind the myth of the "stopping heart." It’s a high-speed adventure perfect for curious kids and anyone ready to learn why our bodies say, "Get outta here, dust!"
Duration:00:17:22
Story Snack: Inside the Immune System
1/7/2026
Book Worm’s Story Snacks | A Microscopic Adventure What really happens inside your body when you get a cut? In this action-packed Story Snack, Book Worm and Reader shrink down to a microscopic size and travel inside a human body to explore the immune system from the inside out. What starts as a curious learning adventure quickly turns into a full-blown biological emergency when invading germs build a slimy “germ fort” near a fresh cut — and healing is on the line. Join a brave squad of white blood cells, meet the enthusiastic helper cell Tiny T, ride rushing plasma rivers, swing antibody lassos, and help deliver vital platelet repair patches as the immune system springs into action. Together, you’ll discover how the body detects danger, fights infection, and heals itself — all through teamwork, courage, and a little imagination.
Duration:00:20:00
Bedtime Stories: The Hill By the Sea
1/6/2026
Lauren's Little Bedtime Stories | Original Music Join Lauren for a magical bedtime adventure in The Hill By the Sea, where Finn the gentle shepherd sets out to rescue his wandering sheep from mysterious fairy mischief. Guided by an enchanting folk song and a shimmering path of clues, Finn follows his flock toward a legendary hidden kingdom said to lie beneath an ancient hill by the ocean. Along the way, he encounters misbehaving goats, dancing lights, tricky illusions, and a fairy riddle or two — all while staying brave, clever, and kind. This cozy, music-filled story weaves together Irish folklore, fairies, shepherding, courage, and a journey home, creating the perfect calming-but-exciting bedtime tale for curious kids and dreamers of all ages.
Duration:00:18:52
Adventure Encore: An Inner Space Adventure
1/5/2026
A Reading Bug Adventure with Original Songs An Adventure Encore episode. Full Story - Parts 1 & 2 combined. Get ready for an unforgettable journey through the human body with Lauren, the Reading Bug, and the Spelling Bee! In this thrilling and educational adventure, our brave explorers shrink down to explore the amazing systems that keep our bodies alive and thriving. With help from astronaut Elara and a new friend named Hugo, listeners will dive deep into anatomy and learn about the five senses, the circulatory system, the brain, and more – all from the inside out! Perfect for curious kids, young scientists, and future doctors, this episode is packed with fun facts, silly puns, and interactive moments that inspire learning and imagination. It’s a whole-body experience! 🎧 Great for fans of science, space, and adventure! 🧠 Topics: human anatomy, body systems, senses, biology for kids 📚 Discover more books from the adventure at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/innerspace
Duration:01:09:14
Bedtime Stories: The Midnight Garden Mystery
12/30/2025
Lauren's Little Bedtime Stories In this whimsical bedtime adventure, young listeners join Farmer Willow as she uncovers a magical secret hidden in her moonlit garden. After discovering her vegetables mysteriously move during the night, she stays up to investigate—only to find that her cabbages, carrots, pumpkins, and beans come alive after dark! What begins as a strange mystery becomes a hilarious nighttime meeting with a garden full of chatty veggies who stretch, wiggle, roll, and dance beneath the stars. Together, Farmer Willow and her enchanted plants find a way to keep the fun and restore the morning order. Filled with gentle humor, talking vegetables, quiet magic, and cozy nighttime atmosphere, “The Midnight Garden Mystery” is a soothing and imaginative story perfect for bedtime listeners who love surprises, laughter, and a little moonlit mischief.
Duration:00:16:19
Adventure Encore: An Inner Space Adventure, Part 2
12/29/2025
A Reading Bug Adventure with Original Songs An Adventure Encore episode. Part 2 of 2. Get ready for an unforgettable journey through the human body with Lauren, the Reading Bug, and the Spelling Bee! In this thrilling and educational adventure, our brave explorers shrink down to explore the amazing systems that keep our bodies alive and thriving. With help from astronaut Elara and a new friend named Hugo, listeners will dive deep into anatomy and learn about the five senses, the circulatory system, the brain, and more – all from the inside out! Perfect for curious kids, young scientists, and future doctors, this episode is packed with fun facts, silly puns, and interactive moments that inspire learning and imagination. It’s a whole-body experience! 🎧 Great for fans of science, space, and adventure! 🧠 Topics: human anatomy, body systems, senses, biology for kids 📚 Discover more books from the adventure at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/innerspace
Duration:00:37:10
Bedtime Stories: The Lighthouse of Lost Wishes
12/23/2025
Lauren's Little Bedtime Stories When Tessa’s most important wish drifts away on a rushing stream, she bravely rows across moonlit waters to a mysterious island shaped like a sleeping whale. There, she discovers an enchanted lighthouse that gathers lost wishes from across the world and keeps them glowing safely inside its magical lantern room. With soft waves, shimmering paper boats, and the quiet voices of forgotten hopes, Tessa follows a gentle trail of light to reclaim the wish she thought she’d lost forever. A dreamy, heartwarming tale about courage, finding your way, and learning that the light you need is often already inside you — perfect for calming bedtime listening and young dreamers who love a touch of wonder.
Duration:00:16:54
Adventure Encore: An Inner Space Adventure, Part 1
12/22/2025
A Reading Bug Adventure with Original Songs An Adventure Encore episode. Part 1 of 2. Get ready for an unforgettable journey through the human body with Lauren, the Reading Bug, and the Spelling Bee! In this thrilling and educational adventure, our brave explorers shrink down to explore the amazing systems that keep our bodies alive and thriving. With help from astronaut Elara and a new friend named Hugo, listeners will dive deep into anatomy and learn about the five senses, the circulatory system, the brain, and more – all from the inside out! Perfect for curious kids, young scientists, and future doctors, this episode is packed with fun facts, silly puns, and interactive moments that inspire learning and imagination. It’s a whole-body experience! 🎧 Great for fans of science, space, and adventure! 🧠 Topics: human anatomy, body systems, senses, biology for kids 📚 Discover more books from the adventure at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/innerspace
Duration:00:43:07
Fact Fly: Why Are Ants So Strong?
12/18/2025
The Fact Fly's One Big Question. Ants are tiny… so how are they SO strong? Join Lauren and the Fact Fly and shrink down into the ant world to explore the science of exoskeletons, muscles, physics, and teamwork that let ants lift 20–50 times their body weight. A fun, fact-packed STEM adventure perfect for curious kids and budding biologists!
Duration:00:17:01
Story Snack: Wiggles in the Worm Tunnel
12/17/2025
A Book Worm Story Snack. Join the Book Worm and wiggle into the secret world beneath the garden! In this action-packed underground adventure, we discover how worms keep soil healthy, why compost and tunnels matter, and how tiny creatures help an entire garden ecosystem thrive. When a patch of soil becomes too packed for plants to grow, we'll need to wiggle, squirm, and teamwork our way through the dirt to loosen the earth, help the worms, and save the garden’s roots just in time. Perfect for curious kids who love gardening, bugs, soil science, nature facts, ecosystems, and STEM-powered storytelling, this Story Snack is full of sensory fun, teamwork, humor, and hands-on learning. Get ready to dig in — literally!
Duration:00:16:08
Bedtime Stories: The Little River That Learned to Slow
12/16/2025
In this soothing and gently funny bedtime adventure, kids meet Rill, a tiny river who loves to rush, splash, and zoom faster than anyone else in the valley — until one day he gets himself hilariously stuck between two boulders. With help from wise Grandmother Willow and a few forest friends (including a frog in a lily-pad hat!), Rill discovers the magic of slowing down, noticing the world around him, and finding calm inside himself. Featuring peaceful nature sounds, warm storytelling, and a sweet lesson about mindfulness and self-regulation, “The Little River That Learned to Slow” is perfect for helping little listeners relax, breathe, and drift peacefully toward sleep.
Duration:00:15:34
Adventure Encore: A Garden Adventure
12/15/2025
An Adventure Encore episode. Parts 1 & 2 combined into a full story. We're revisiting our first-ever adventure! Hop into the Reading Bug's book bag and shrink down to bug size to visit the insects of the garden and solve the mystery of the missing flowers! Travel through the garden with Helga and Fleur and help find Elizabuzz's friends. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/garden.
Duration:00:52:21
Fact Fly: Why is the Sky Blue?
12/11/2025
Why is the sky bright blue during the day — and orange, pink, or purple at sunset? Join Lauren and the always-curious Fact Fly as they explore the science of sunlight, color, and Rayleigh scattering in this fun, kid-friendly STEM adventure. With humor, vivid imagery, and easy explanations, listeners discover how light interacts with Earth’s atmosphere, why blue gets scattered most, and what makes sunsets so colorful. Perfect for curious kids, young scientists, and anyone who has ever looked up and wondered “why?”
Duration:00:16:24
Story Snack: The Loch Ness Mess
12/10/2025
Dive into a splashy adventure in Scotland’s legendary Loch Ness! In this Story Snack, travel along with the Book Worm all the way to Scotland's famous Loch Ness. Discover the wildlife that makes its home there, the, darting minnows, shimmering kelp forests, and maybe even… a shadow that looks suspiciously like a certain famous monster. When an otter gets tangled in human fishing line, the adventure becomes a rescue mission. With laughs, science facts, teamwork, and just a hint of mystery, this episode brings the magic of Loch Ness right to your ears. Perfect for curious kids who love animals, myths, wetland ecosystems, adventure stories, and environmental science!
Duration:00:19:47
Bedtime Stories: The Garden of Midnight Sprouts
12/9/2025
A Lauren's Little Bedtime Story. In this soothing and magical bedtime adventure, Lauren takes listeners into the wondrous Garden of Midnight Sprouts, a hidden patch of earth that only comes alive after dark. When a young farmer discovers glowing plants that bloom at midnight—and tiny creatures who depend on them—she must find the courage, patience, and heart to protect the garden’s magic. Filled with gentle humor, whimsical surprises, and a warm lesson about slowing down to notice the world around us, this cozy tale invites children to relax, imagine, and drift peacefully into sleep. Perfect for fans of calming nighttime stories, nature-themed adventures, and magical gardens.
Duration:00:15:01
Adventure Encore: A Garden Adventure, Part 2
12/8/2025
An Adventure Encore episode. Part 2 of 2. We're revisiting our first-ever adventure! Hop into the Reading Bug's book bag and shrink down to bug size to visit the insects of the garden and solve the mystery of the missing flowers! Travel through the garden with Helga and Fleur and help find Elizabuzz's friends. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/garden.
Duration:00:30:49