Koala Moon: Kids Bedtime Stories & Sleep Stories for Kids Podcast

“Abbe's Snoozy News 🗞️🐨 Halloween Minisode!” (October 20, 2025)

Episode Overview

Main Theme:
In this special Halloween Minisode, host Abbe Opher welcomes kids and families to a seasonal update packed with behind-the-scenes news, listener challenges, and a preview of upcoming magical Halloween stories in the Koala Moon podcast world. With her soothing, playful narration, Abbe shares personal anecdotes, invites listeners to get creative, and teases cozy, imaginative adventures just in time for Halloween.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Halloween Spirit in the Koala-Verse (02:25 – 03:50)

• Abbe opens the minisode describing the excitement of the Halloween season: costumes, trick-or-treating, and festive decorations.
• She lovingly recalls a personal story:

  “When my son was very little, we got all dressed up. I think he was a pumpkin at the time, and we went trick or treating. But one of the houses we went to was so covered in spider webs … he refused to go up the driveway. So I had to leave him and walk up on my own to a spooky house and ask for sweets. And unsurprisingly, they didn’t open the door.”
  (03:05 – 03:40)

• Abbe prompts playful reflection, gently asking, “Is it possible that Halloween can sometimes be too spooky? Or is that just me?” (03:42)

2. Interactive Halloween Challenge for Listeners (03:55 – 06:00)

• Announces a creative challenge:
  Kids are encouraged to make Halloween-themed artwork featuring Koala Moon characters in costumes, then share a short video (with a grown-up’s help) explaining their creation.
• Abbe guides ideas (“a friendly ghost, a pumpkin party, or your favourite Koala Moon characters all dressed up for trick or treating”) and offers prompting questions to help with sharing:

  “Is your artwork spooky, silly or sweet? Which Halloween colours have you used and why did you choose them? If the Koala Moon characters are dressed up, what are they wearing?” (05:10)

• Fosters a sense of community and excitement:

  “And you never know, you may be featured on our Instagram or TikTok. I just can’t wait to see your imaginative creations.” (05:45)

3. Halloween Traditions and Gentle Encouragement (06:01 – 07:05)

• Pumpkin carving fun:
  Abbe encourages children to try pumpkin carving, or to simply enjoy the smell and tactile experience, noting,

  “Just the smell of pumpkin and the squishy seeds, the flicker of a candle inside—it all feels kind of magical to me.” (06:35)

• Inclusive encouragement:

  “If you’re not a pumpkin kind of person, well that’s alright too. You could carve a turnip or draw a silly face on a squash, or even paint a potato if you want. It’s your Halloween, you make the magic.” (06:50 – 07:05)

4. Sneak Peeks: Upcoming Halloween Stories (07:06 – 10:40)

A “Koko Club Exclusive” Story Featuring Squidge the Squash (07:07 – 09:05)

• Listeners meet Squidge, a butternut squash who wishes to be a pumpkin.
• The story explores themes of self-acceptance and bravery:

  “At first, Squidge is thrilled to finally be one of the chosen ones. But he soon learns that being someone else, even someone he admired, isn’t nearly as special as being himself.” (08:25)

• Abbe teases:

  “Will he ever be able to get back to being the way he wants to be—his original, true self? What a journey this story is. I can’t wait for you to hear how the story ends.” (08:58)

Upcoming Public Halloween Episode: “Spooky the Bush Baby” (09:06 – 10:40)

• Teaser for a magical Halloween Sleepy Forest special featuring Spooky the Bush Baby.
• Highlights of the story:
  • Spooky throws a Halloween party to make friends but almost forgets his own costume in the preparation excitement.
  • Features beloved characters, lots of heart, glowing pumpkins, lanterns, and dancing dragons.

  “It’s a magical, heartwarming tale about friendship, creativity and community. And a perfect bedtime treat for Halloween night.” (10:20)

5. Reminders & Wrap-Up (10:41 – End)

• Abbe reminds listeners about recent and upcoming Halloween stories already released.
• Shares excitement for the cozy, sleepy adventures ahead in Sleepy Forest:

  “It’s going to be the cosiest, sleepiest Halloween ever here in Sleepy Forest. And we can’t wait to bring you along for all the magical story adventures we’ve got planned.” (11:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Halloween “too spooky?”

  “Is it possible that Halloween can sometimes be too spooky? Or is that just me?”
  (03:42 – Abbe Opher)

• On encouraging creativity:

  “You never know, you may be featured on our Instagram or our TikTok. I just can’t wait to see your imaginative creations.”
  (05:45 – Abbe Opher)

• On making Halloween your own:

  “It’s your Halloween, you make the magic.”
  (07:05 – Abbe Opher)

• On bravery and self-acceptance:

  “Poor Squidge. He might be the squishiest squash in the village, but he also just might be the bravest too.”
  (08:40 – Abbe Opher)

• Excitement for the season:

  “It’s going to be the cosiest, sleepiest Halloween ever here in Sleepy Forest.”
  (11:10 – Abbe Opher)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:25 — Introduction to Halloween in Sleepy Forest and Abbe’s own Halloween memory
• 03:55 — Listener Halloween challenge announced
• 06:01 — Pumpkin carving encouragement and alternatives
• 07:07 — Sneak peek: Koko Club exclusive, “Squidge the Squash”
• 09:06 — Teaser: Public Halloween episode, “Spooky the Bush Baby”
• 10:41 — Halloween story reminders and wrap-up

Conclusion

In this Halloween Minisode, Abbe brings her calming warmth and playful imagination to the fore, encouraging kids to be creative, embrace the magic of the season, and feel at home in the gentle world of Sleepy Forest. Through sneak peeks and inviting challenges, families are welcomed to participate and enjoy cozy new stories—the perfect recipe for autumn bedtime bliss.