Koko & Kira Overnight at the Toy Store 🧸 🌒 Cozy Bedtime Stories For Kids

[00:00:11] Hello and welcome back to Koala Moon, a podcast of original children's bedtime stories and meditations designed to make bedtimes a dream. Coco's waving and Kira just whispered her thanks to all of you new Coco Clubbers for signing up for the year. You're supporting the show, so thank you. We hope you enjoy all of your extra bonus content and all your ad-free listening.

[00:00:36] First up we've got Jack and Arden from the Northern Rivers, Australia. Sophie Kira, ooh great name, from New York City. Lily Rose from the UK. Eva Crawford from Virginia, USA. Averley and Zoe from Lake Point, Utah, who I understand have both had birthdays recently. Happy birthday to you.

[00:00:57] Actually both Coco and Kira feel like it's their birthday tonight too, as they've just learned that Uncle Keith has invited them to join him on a special nighttime trip to Moonbeam Heights. Their mission is to test the brand new magic milkshake maker before anyone else. Can you imagine that? No one has had a chance to even see it, but these two lucky koalas get to unbox one and see what it can do.

[00:01:25] However, all does not go to plan, and when the toy mysteriously disappears from the store, the two siblings set off beneath the glow of the koala moon to help solve the puzzling disappearance. If you're not quite in bed yet, tuck yourself in, get really, really cosy, perhaps have a little shuffle and a wiggle, and then take some relaxing breaths in and out, whilst we find out exactly what is going on down at the toy store.

[00:01:55] This is Coco and Kira, Overnight at the Toy Store, by Annabelle Pitcher. Before we begin, here's a quick ad break, then we'll start tonight's bedtime story. If you'd like to support our podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and unlock all our premium stories, you can join the Coco Club. To join, follow the link in the show notes.

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[00:03:16] So, when those in-between summer hours need filling, Next Playground helps make screen time feel active, safe, and shared. Check out nextplayground.com, that's N-E-X playground dot com, to learn more. Coco looked out of the window of the cosy cabin, waiting.

[00:03:44] He was ready to go, and had been for 37 minutes. He had put on his coat, he had put on his boots, and he had put on his burnt orange backpack, inside of which he'd packed his pyjamas, slippers, and toothbrush. He could feel them now, jostling about as if they were excited too. It promised to be a very thrilling night indeed.

[00:04:09] Coco leaned a little closer to the window, made his eyes extra wide, and waited a little more. 38 minutes. 39. Where was he? It was getting trickier to see the winding forest path now. The koala sun had gone to sleep, and the sky had darkened to purple.

[00:04:32] Violets, indigos, and plums danced above sleepy forest, as the koala moon rose over cosy cabin. Coco gazed at her and sighed. She was beautiful, of course, a silver orb with twinkly light. But it wasn't her light the little koala longed to see. He was waiting for something smaller, something golden.

[00:05:01] And it would be appearing any moment now, on the path that meandered through the trees. Aren't we lucky, Kira? Coco said as his little sister appeared in the lounge. She was wearing a coat, boots, and backpack too. Kira joined Coco at the window, and the two siblings pressed their noses against the cool glass.

[00:05:27] Any moment now, a golden torch beam would emerge from the darkness, announcing the arrival of Uncle Keith. He had rung earlier that day, inviting them to the toy store in Moonbeam Heights to try out the brand new toy due to go on sale in the morning. The magic milkshake maker, Coco said. And we will be the first ones to try it.

[00:05:54] The very first ones, Kira replied with a little dance of excitement. In the whole of Koala Kingdom. You're right, Coco. We are very lucky indeed. I couldn't believe it when he invited us. Imagine. First we get to ride the train to Moonbeam Heights. Then we get a sneak preview of the magic milkshake maker.

[00:06:22] And then we get to have a sleepover in a toy store, Coco giggled. And we get to take the magic milkshake maker home in the morning and beat the cues, Kira said, hugging herself with happiness. It was too wonderful for words. All their friends had talked of nothing more for weeks. And everyone was planning to set off to the store early the next day to buy it.

[00:06:50] How lucky they were to get their paws on it first. The magic milkshake maker, Coco whispered. He was going to sample the strawberry flavor first. Or perhaps the blueberry. Or maybe even the chocolate caramel surprise. And he was going to press the button for sparkles. Or perhaps sprinkles. Or maybe even fudge pieces.

[00:07:19] Or maybe all three at once, the little koala giggled. And then there were the different straws. A curly one shaped like a helter-skelter slide. One that looped like a roller coaster. And another that zigzagged all over the place. How he longed to try them all. Luckily, Uncle Keith had asked Coco and his sister to do just that.

[00:07:46] Uncle Keith took his job at the toy store very seriously indeed. As the security guard, it was his responsibility to make sure everything was safe, secure and working correctly. He had to check all the doors and windows, of course. And all the lights and elevators and tills. But sometimes, Uncle Keith also needed to check the toys. Especially when they were new.

[00:08:14] The magic milkshake maker was the first new toy the store had stocked for a while. And Uncle Keith wanted to make sure it was perfect before it went on sale in the morning. And now, at last, it was time. For a golden torch beam had appeared on the winding forest path. Flickering and jumping from side to side. As if someone was walking rather quickly. Uncle Keith, Kira gasped.

[00:08:44] Clutching Coco's arm. He's here. Sure enough, the sound of hurried paws echoed through sleepy forest. And soon, there was a knock on the door of cozy cabin. There you are. Coco cried, pulling open the door. Uncle Keith stood in the moonlight. His toy store badge gleaming on the chest of his dark blue uniform. And there you are, he replied.

[00:09:14] He was smiling. But beneath his grin, there was a hint of worry. Coco frowned. What is it, Uncle Keith? He let out a large sigh. It's the magic milkshake maker, he said, looking from Coco to Kira. I don't know how to say this, but it's gone. Kira's eyes widened. What do you mean, gone?

[00:09:44] I mean just that, Uncle Keith replied. I had 20 boxes in the storeroom. When I went to collect them this afternoon to put them out on the shelves ready for the morning, they had disappeared. Coco and Kira stared at each other in surprise. But how can that be? Coco asked. How can 20 milkshake makers vanish into thin air?

[00:10:13] Uncle Keith shook his head, his white patch of fur glowing in the light of the koala moon. I have no idea, but I need to find them, and quickly. People are arriving first thing tomorrow. The thought of all those disappointed customers. He tailed off, looking rather crestfallen. We will help you find them, Coco said, reaching for Uncle Keith's paw.

[00:10:42] Of course we will, Kira added, reaching for the other one. Don't worry, Uncle Keith, Coco went on. Kira and I are very good at finding things. I'm sure we'll track down your boxes. It might even be fun. And with that, Coco and Kira followed Uncle Keith out of cozy cabin. The forest had a dreamy sort of hush now,

[00:11:10] quite at odds with the trio's hasty footsteps and urgent business. Coco clutched the straps of his orange backpack, feeling rather important. Where were the boxes? Where were the boxes? And how had they simply disappeared? It took a while, but at last the three koalas reached the part of sleepy forest where the woodland grew thick and quiet.

[00:11:37] They followed a narrow path between tall pine trees and moss-covered rocks until, at last, the station appeared in a moonlit clearing. Waiting at the empty platform was the moonbeam express. The carriages were made from sleek rose-coloured glass panels framed with gold,

[00:12:00] and on the side, painted in sleek black letters, were the words, Moonbeam Express. Great puffs of steam curled into the night air as the train gave a proud little chuff. It's beautiful, Kira whispered. And fast, Uncle Keith replied. We'll be in moonbeam heights before you know it.

[00:12:27] The trio climbed aboard and found comfortable seats beside a large window. Inside, the train was even more magical than it looked from outside. Above their heads stretched an enchanted ceiling painted like a deep night sky, filled with twinkling stars and a great golden moon.

[00:12:52] Soon, with a hiss of steam and a gentle lurch, the moonbeam express began to move. Slowly at first, then faster and faster, until the train was gliding through the darkness, leaving sleepy forest behind. The train stopped briefly at Harmony Cove, where sleepy passengers climbed aboard carrying blankets and bags, then set off once more into the night.

[00:13:23] On and on they went, rattling through the moonlit countryside, until, at last, moonbeam heights appeared ahead of them, a sparkling mass of twinkling lights nestled between two dark hills. Pink and yellow buildings stretched high into the clouds, their ornate spires shimmering against the purple sky.

[00:13:50] At the centre of the city stood the mall, and inside it was the toy store. As the train slowed to a stop, Coco grabbed his backpack and climbed down onto the platform. He eyed the vast mall, feeling nervous. He'd visited many times before, but never after hours. There was no chatter or bustle now,

[00:14:17] just the soft hum of lights and the distant whir of cleaning machines. It looked bigger than it did during the day, quite impossible to search in one evening. Would they be able to find the milkshake makers? There was only one way to find out. Together, the three koalas set off towards the mall, the enormous glass roof glowing silver beneath the light of the koala moon.

[00:14:48] Moments later, they were inside. Uncle Keith led Coco and Kira past darkened clothes shops and silent cafes, until, at last, they reached the toy store. Rows upon rows of toys waited silently in the darkness. Mechanical robots stood frozen mid-wave. Teddy bears sat patiently on shelves.

[00:15:15] Action figures stared bravely into the darkness, poised for adventures that would have to wait until morning. Or would they? As Coco gazed through the windows, a strange feeling fluttered inside him. Everything looked different somehow, almost enchanted, as if the whole shop were full of secrets that only came alive after dark.

[00:15:46] The toy trains resting on their tracks looked as though they might suddenly chug into motion. The dolls seemed as if they were holding their breath. The stuffed animals looked on the verge of waking up. A delicious shiver danced down Coco's back, but he shook it off. Don't be ridiculous, he thought to himself as Uncle Keith

[00:16:15] unlocked the doors with a jangling set of keys. Toys can't come to life. But as the doors creaked open, a little clockwork rabbit, sitting in the window display, seemed to twitch a velvety ear. Coming, Coco? Uncle Keith called from inside the store. Yes, Coco replied, hurrying after him. He had imagined it, that was all.

[00:16:43] Uncle Keith paused just inside the toy shop and switched on his torch. A bright golden beam swept across the floorboards. Right, he said. Let's find these boxes. Twenty magic milkshake makers cannot simply vanish. Kira nodded seriously. I'll check the soft toy section.

[00:17:10] I'll have a look at the back of the store, Coco said. And I'll go this way, Uncle Keith replied, setting off down the main aisle, his torch beam gliding from side to side. The golden light bounced over shelves of dolls, towers of books, and rows of toy trucks, before rounding a corner and disappearing from view.

[00:17:38] Coco wandered deeper into the store. Every so often, he caught glimpses of Uncle Keith's torch sweeping across the shop. A toy castle stood near the back wall, twinkling in the light of the koala moon, which cascaded like a waterfall through the great glass ceiling. It was a magnificent castle. Tiny velvet flags fluttered from the towers.

[00:18:07] Little dragons curled around the battlements. A tiny knight kept watch from a lookout tower. Coco crouched down and peered underneath it. No milkshake makers here, he whispered. And that's when he heard it. A clink. Coco paused, listening hard. There it was again. Clink.

[00:18:36] And this time, something moved. The knight. It was impossible. Coco shook himself for the second time that evening, closed his eyes, opened them again, and told himself to be sensible. As if in response, the knight lifted the visor of his silver helmet. I do declare we have a visitor. Coco jumped. I'm, I'm,

[00:19:05] you're just in time, is what you are, the knight replied. And with that, he snatched up a tiny golden trumpet, and blew a sharp little toot, toot, toot. At once, somewhere inside the castle, a bell began to ring. Miniature lanterns flickered to life in the windows. Dragons stretched sleepily along the battlements, and a tiny stable door creaked open.

[00:19:36] Two toy horses trotted out, shaking their manes. Then the clockwork rabbit from the window display hopped neatly onto a shelf beside the lookout tower. Cedric, the rabbit cried. Is it really necessary to blow that trumpet? We have a visitor, Cedric replied importantly. I can see that.

[00:20:03] A real child visitor deserves a really impressive announcement. One must maintain standards. One must maintain hearing, the rabbit muttered, twitching his velvet ear for the second time that evening. Coco hadn't imagined it at all. You're alive, Coco whispered, stumbling backwards.

[00:20:31] The rabbit blinked. Obviously. But, but, toys can't come to life. The rabbit hopped neatly down onto the floor. You'd be amazed how often people say that. Coco, at that moment, Kira appeared around the corner, clutching the straps of her backpack. Coco, she whispered. Have you found-

[00:21:01] She stopped in her tracks. The rabbit waved politely. Kira gasped. The rabbit moved. The night talks too, Coco replied. Cedric gave a rather pointed toot-toot-toot. And he also plays the trumpet. Kira stared at the night, and then at Coco. Are we dreaming?

[00:21:30] She whispered. I don't think so, Coco whispered back. Unless we're having exactly the same dream. Just then, Uncle Keith's torch beam swept across the end of the aisle. Quick as a flash, the rabbit froze. Cedric snapped his visor shut and stood perfectly still in the tower. The tiny dragons

[00:22:00] curled back into place along the battlements. Uncle Keith walked down the aisle, sweeping his torch from side to side. The beam slid across the castle, over Coco and Kira, then underneath the shelves. No sign of them here either. Honestly, where could 20 boxes possibly fit? He sighed, before wandering off again,

[00:22:28] his torch beam bobbing about in the darkness. The moment he disappeared, the castle burst back into life. Cedric lifted his visor with a clink. That was close. You mustn't tell the grown-ups about us, the rabbit explained. It creates paperwork. What sort of paperwork? What sort of paperwork? Coco asked.

[00:22:57] An unreasonable amount, sighed the rabbit. And we'd rather play. It seemed true enough. Toys were gathering by the dozen now, chatting excitedly around the castle. Tiny soldiers peeked from windows. A fluffy unicorn leapt off a shelf to join in the fun. A toy monkey performed acrobatics on a rope somewhere above their heads.

[00:23:28] Then Coco remembered why they were there. The magic milkshake makers, he said. I don't suppose you know where they are? We really need to find them. The toys exchanged awkward glances. Cedric the knight cleared his throat. Why on earth would we know where they are? Well, said Coco slowly,

[00:23:57] the milkshake makers are toys, and you're all toys. The rabbit suddenly became very interested in washing his whiskers. We've absolutely nothing to do with the disappearance of the boxes. Nothing at all. Nothing whatsoever. Kira narrowed her eyes. Oh, really?

[00:24:26] No one said anything for a moment. Okay, look, said Cedric at last. We may possibly have relocated them. Coco blinked. Relocated? We hid them, all right, the rabbit burst out. You hid them? Kira cried. The monkey dropped from the rope,

[00:24:56] landing effortlessly on two feet. We hid them very well. But why? Coco asked. The toys fell quiet, staring at the ground. Finally, the rabbit looked up. Because people only ever want their new toy, he shrugged. The minute a shiny new toy arrives, everything else gets forgotten. It's true,

[00:25:26] Cedric muttered. The unicorn nodded sadly. Someone was going to buy me this morning until they heard the milkshake maker was on sale tomorrow. They picked me up, then put me back down again, saying, nice, but not milkshake nice. And somebody called me old-fashioned, grumbled a toy train, chugging on a nearby track. We simply wished,

[00:25:56] said Cedric, drawing himself up to his full height, to remind everybody that we're lovable too, even if we don't have 17 flavors or rainbow sprinkles. Coco took in the sea of faces, the rabbit, the knight, the unicorn, and the monkey. Of course you're lovable. Anyone can see that you're lovable,

[00:26:26] and anyone would be lucky to have you. You don't need to hide the milkshake maker to prove you're worth loving. You're worth loving, just as you are. For a moment, the toy shop went very quiet. Then the rabbit's whiskers twitched. Well, that, he said, is really rather nice of you to say. The knight raised his trumpet.

[00:26:56] So nice, it deserves a toot-toot. Mute, said the rabbit, blocking the trumpet with his paw. Come on, Cedric, it's time to give these kind koalas their boxes. Cedric gave a solemn nod. Very well, he replied. Then he thrust out a hand as if he were an actor on the stage. Let us reveal the secret hiding place.

[00:27:26] Intrigued, the two koalas hurried after the rabbit, the knight, the unicorn, horn and monkey, as they led them down an aisle to a mountain of giant cushions hastily assembled. Behind the mountain stood a teepee. It was made from striped cloth with little wooden poles and glittering fairy lights strung around the top. Cedric gave a small bow.

[00:27:53] You will find all you seek in the teepee of dreams. Heart beating rather quickly, Coco pushed his way through the cushions, opened the flap of the twinkling teepee and grinned. All twenty missing boxes were stacked snugly inside. Uncle Keith would be so relieved.

[00:28:20] And as if on cue, a golden torch beam swept around the corner. At once, the toys returned to their original positions. The rabbit hopped back into the window display. Cedric snapped his visor shut and took up guard in the lookout tower. The unicorn jumped back onto his shelf

[00:28:45] and the monkey clambered up the rope where he hung motionless with a silly grin on his face. Have you found them? Uncle Keith asked. Coco pointed excitedly into the teepee. In there! Uncle Keith shone his torch inside and let out a gasp of delight. There they are! All twenty boxes!

[00:29:15] He looked from the teepee to Coco and Kira and back again. Well done, both of you! I knew you'd manage it! Together, the three koalas carried the boxes to the shelves at the very front of the store. They stacked them carefully beneath the giant silver sign that read, The Magic Milkshake Maker! Brand new! Try me!

[00:29:45] There! Uncle Keith said at last, stepping back proudly. Perfect! Not quite perfect! Coco said, and he found a pen and added three more words to the sign. Try us, too! Of course, Kira said, understanding at once what Coco was doing. She ran to grab the knight, the rabbit, the monkey,

[00:30:14] and the unicorn, setting them out on the shelves at the very front of the store, too. There! Coco said happily. Now it's perfect! Uncle Keith rubbed his paws together. Right, he said, smiling at them both. I believe some official testing is required. Coco's heart gave a little leap of joy

[00:30:43] as Uncle Keith opened one of the boxes and carefully lifted out the magic milkshake maker. It was even more magnificent up close. The silver machine gleamed beneath the moonlight and its colourful buttons sparkled like sweets in a jar. Strawberry pink, blueberry purple, caramel gold, and minty green.

[00:31:11] And look at the straws, Kira breathed. There were curly straws, zigzag straws, loop-the-loop straws, and one shaped exactly like the helter-skelter slide. Uncle Keith poured milk into the machine, added fresh strawberries, and pressed the pink button. At once, the machine whirred into life. Tiny lights twinkled around the base.

[00:31:42] Inside the clear mixing chamber, the milk swirled together with the strawberries in great creamy ribbons of red and white. Then came a fizzing sound, followed by a shower of glittering sparkles that burst from the top like fireworks. Coco and Kira laughed in delight. The milkshake maker hummed louder and louder until suddenly, ding!

[00:32:12] A perfect strawberry milkshake sat waiting in the cup below. Coco took the very first sip, his eyes widening in pleasure. It was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted. The milkshake was thick and icy cold, and fizzing sprinkles popped softly on his tongue. Kira had a try and let out a little squeak.

[00:32:42] It tickles when I drink it, she giggled. Next, they tasted blueberry, which was deliciously sweet and comforting, and tasted a lot like Dad's homemade blueberry pie. Then it was time for the chocolate caramel surprise, with gooey chocolate sauce, crunchy caramel chunks, and fudge pieces that melted in the middle.

[00:33:09] Coco had never been so content in all his life. But now, the long, exciting night was beginning to catch up with him. He let out a loud yawn. Then, Kira yawned. And then, Uncle Keith yawned so enormously, his torch nearly slipped from his paw. I think, he said, rubbing his eyes,

[00:33:40] it may finally be time for that toy store sleepover. Eyelids drooping, and limbs heavy, Coco and Kira opened their backpacks, put on their pyjamas, and brushed their teeth. Then, they unrolled their sleeping bags, spreading them out beneath the great glass ceiling, where the light of the koala moon poured like liquid silver

[00:34:09] into the toy store. It seemed perfectly ordinary now. Dolls lay quite still in their cots. Toy trains rested silently on their tracks. And the night, the rabbit, the monkey, and the unicorn sat patiently on the shelf at the front of the shop. They certainly didn't look magical.

[00:34:40] And, as Coco wriggled down into his cosy sleeping bag, he wondered if he had imagined it all. It didn't matter much, he supposed. The magic milkshake makers had been found, and the old toys had been given a chance to be discovered and loved. Tomorrow had been saved, and now it was time for sleep. As moonlight

[00:35:09] spilled across the floor and the little koala closed his eyes, the rabbit's velvety ear gave the tiniest twitch and Cedric, the knight, saluted, as if to say thank you.