PREMIUM PREVIEW: Little Hedgehog and the Babysitter

Summary

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Podcast Episode Summary

Little Stories for Tiny People: "Little Hedgehog and the Babysitter" (PREMIUM PREVIEW)

Host: Rhea Pechter
Date: May 30, 2026

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Overview

This preview episode of Little Stories for Tiny People gives listeners a whimsical and heartwarming sample of "Little Hedgehog and the Babysitter," a story exclusive to Little Stories Premium. The narrative centers on Little Hedgehog and her best friend Bebe as they jitter with excitement for an impending visit: their very first tutoring session with a curious dragonfly named Philomena—while also discovering that a new babysitter, Estelle, is on her way! The tale unfolds with imaginative humor, lessons about friendship, and delightful twists, all written to spark the imagination of young listeners and bring smiles to families.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

Introduction and Framing (00:51–01:51)

• Rhea welcomes listeners with her trademark warm tone and introduces the story’s context—answering the (somewhat insistent) requests of her "studio spiders" for a tale featuring a prominent spider.
  • Quote (Rhea, 00:57): "The spiders...want a story that doesn't just have a spider in it. They want a prominent spider. They want a featured spider."
• Rhea hands off story narration to "Ty," inviting children to imagine the pictures in their minds.

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Setting the Scene: The Forest at Night (01:52–02:39)

• The forest is calm at night, with animals in their burrows and nests—except for Little Hedgehog and Bebe, who are wide awake and brimming with anticipation in Little Hedgehog’s burrow.

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Preparing for Philomena, Their Dragonfly Student (02:40–06:39)

• Little Hedgehog and Bebe are excited for their upcoming “lesson plan” with Philomena, a dragonfly who desperately wants to learn to live like the hedgehogs.
  • Memorable Moment (03:01–03:13): Bebe reads their “lesson plan,” starting with lessons in greeting friends.
  • Humorous Exchange: The duo giggles over their attempts to mimic each other’s voices.
• Flashback: Three days earlier, the pair meets Philomena after a school night, where she expresses admiration for their spontaneous song and states her desire to “learn your ways.”
  • Quote (Philomena, 04:59): "I've been spying on—I mean, innocently observing you both for weeks now. I yearn to live as you live, know what you know, and behave as you act. I mean behave."
• They make plans for Philomena to come for “tutoring” at 3:37am—a delightfully odd and specific time—citing the virtue of practicing punctuality.

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The Babysitter Confusion (06:40–09:48)

• Mr. Hedgehog interrupts, reminding them the babysitter is arriving soon—much to the hedgehogs’ surprise, as they believed she’d come the following week.
  • Memorable Quote (E, 07:22):
    • "I told you guys about this."
  • Comedic moment: Despite their careful “planners,” they still manage to mix up the date.
• The girls ask if they can still host Philomena with the babysitter present. Mr. Hedgehog eventually consents.

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Anticipating the Babysitter (09:49–11:12)

• Mr. Hedgehog lays down expectations—good behavior is required, no campfires or bird-jumping allowed, and no calling the babysitter "Madame Babysitter."
  • Humorous Moments:
    • Little Hedgehog: "Can we build a campfire while you're gone, dad?"
      Mr. Hedgehog: "No." (09:26–09:32)
    • Little Hedgehog: "Can our babysitter take us bird jumping? I have a strong desire to leap off a bird."
      Mr. Hedgehog: "No." (09:32–09:45)
• The last babysitter did not enjoy their musical or dancing antics—a subtle, funny nod to the children's exuberant personalities.

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The Babysitter Arrives: Estelle the Spider (11:13–13:21)

• After a false alarm ("the babysitter is invisible!"), Estelle the Spider arrives—she is highly recommended, multi-talented, and very experienced.
  • Quote (F, 11:46): "I assure you I am very experienced with caring for nocturnal mammals, such as your daughter."
  • Praise from Other Parents: “She taught my son to knit, which is difficult for a turtle. No fingers.” (11:16)
  • Estelle’s impressive resume includes certifications in “prickle care,” “head check,” “bedtime procedures,” and even custom silk tourniquet creation.
  • Quote (F, 12:20): "I am quite capable of creating a custom silk tourniquet in under 90 seconds. I am happy to demonstrate this right now, if you."
  • Little Hedgehog and Bebe are charmed; Mr. Hedgehog is reassured and prepares to leave for his conference.
• Mr. Hedgehog asks them (again) to clean up the “mess” in their room, only for the girls to explain it’s a “paper garment factory” for dressing “little guy” in jaunty outfits.

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"Fun" with the Babysitter (13:22–14:23)

• Mr. Hedgehog departs. Estelle immediately jokes about allowing wild activities such as unlimited sugar beets, pillow fights, and even “leaping off birds,” causing the girls' eyes to widen in shock.
  • Quote (F, 13:41–13:58):
    • "Now that he is gone, you can have all the sugar beets you want. You may have a pillow fight, sending tiny feathers into the air that we will never realistically be able to clean up. And in a stunning crescendo, we will leap off birds."
  • Estelle quickly clarifies it was a joke:
    • Quote (F, 14:03): "That was a humorous joke. I would never risk my professional reputation for ephemeral glee."
  • Little Hedgehog and Bebe are both relieved and amused.
    • Quote (E, 14:11): "Oh, you really had us going there."

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rhea (00:57): “They want a featured spider. And they won't stop hounding me about it. So this is it.”
• Philomena (04:59): "I've been spying on—I mean innocently observing—you both for weeks now."
• Little Hedgehog (06:08): "Remember to arrive precisely at 3:37 a.m. This will help you practice arriving extremely early to everything, which is one of my personal ways."
• Mr. Hedgehog (07:41): "Girls, remember what I told you. Best behavior."
• Estelle the Spider (12:20): "I am quite capable of creating a custom silk tourniquet in under 90 seconds."
• Estelle the Spider (13:41–13:58): "...sending tiny feathers into the air that we will never realistically be able to clean up. And in a stunning crescendo, we will leap off birds."
• Estelle the Spider (14:03): "That was a humorous joke. I would never risk my professional reputation for ephemeral glee."

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:57: Rhea's introduction and story premise
• 02:40: Little Hedgehog and Bebe prep for Philomena’s visit
• 04:59: Philomena’s request to learn “the ways of hedgehogs”
• 06:08: The quirky 3:37am appointment time
• 07:09: Mr. Hedgehog’s babysitter reminder and ensuing hilarity
• 09:26–09:45: Request for bird-jumping
• 11:16: Estelle’s glowing parent recommendations
• 12:20: Estelle’s impressive (and oddly specific) skills
• 13:41–13:58: The “wild babysitter” prank
• 14:03: The big reveal—Estelle was joking

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Tone and Style

The episode is told with gentle humor, playful dialogue, and inventive details, capturing the exuberance and earnestness of childhood friendships. Rhea’s narration is warm, witty, and gently self-aware, often breaking the fourth wall in a way that charms young and adult listeners alike.

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Conclusion

This preview delivers all the familiar elements of Little Stories for Tiny People: lovable characters, clever wordplay, and a cozy, safe atmosphere. The introduction of Estelle, the extraordinary spider babysitter, sets the stage for playful surprises and gentle life lessons. To hear the whimsical outcome of Little Hedgehog, Bebe, Philomena, and the multitasking spider babysitter, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to Little Stories Premium.

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Transcript

[A]

Hello, everyone. This is Rhea with a quick note. This is a preview of an episode exclusive to Little Stories Premium. Little Stories Premium gives you more of the stories you love, an ad free listening experience, and access to Little Stories for Sleep, an exclusive bedtime podcast featuring brand new sleepy stories. Perfect for that last track on a bedtime playlist. Subscribe or purchase a gift subscription by visiting littlestoriespremium.com now onto the show.

[B]

This is Rhea.

[A]

Welcome to Little Stories for Tiny People.

[B]

I'll cut to the chase. The spiders, who live in the uppermost corners of my tiny studio, have been relentless lately. They want a story that doesn't just have a spider in it. They want a prominent spider. They want a featured spider. And they won't stop hounding me about it. So this is it. Okay, this is my best effort. After this, you better leave me alone. Let's hear it. It's called Little Hedgehog and the Babysitter. Take it away, Ty.

[C]

Remember, there are no pictures. You have to imagine the pictures in your mind. You can imagine them however you want. Okay, here we go.

[B]

It was a cool night in the middle of fall, and the forest was filled with animals tucked away in their nests and their warrens and their tree houses and their RVs and their. Wait, no, no. Just their nests and their warrens. Oh, and their burrows. Many of the forest animals slept peacefully. Others slept fitfully, kept awake by snoring brothers or sleep talkers. But some of the forest animals were not asleep at all. Little Hedgehog and Bebe, her best friend of all time, were wide awake in Little Hedgehog's burrow.

[D]

Bebe. I can't believe Philomena is going to knock on the burrow door in just a few short hours.

[E]

We should review our lesson plan for the evening.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Bebe retrieved a notepad she'd tucked in a corner of Little Hedgehog's bookshelf and ran her paw along the text she'd written.

[E]

First, we will teach Philomena about greeting friends and acquaintances.

[B]

Hello, greetings, Little Hedgehog said, holding back a laugh.

[D]

That's my Bebe voice, Phoebe.

[E]

I thought it was me talking.

[B]

The friends giggled. At this point, you may be wondering, who is this Philomena character? And why does she need to be taught how to greet friends and acquaintances? To answer that, we'll have to go back in time. Three days, Little Hedgehog and Bebe scampered home through the forest after a long night of school. In science class, they'd watched an intriguing documentary about the lives of nomadic rhinoceroses. And they spent their walk home coming up with a song about it.

[E]

Ranging, roving, ranging, roving.

[B]

Rhinoceros, rhinoceros, rhinoceros, rhinocero.

[D]

I think our song might need work.

[E]

Agreed.

[B]

I love your song, remarked a tiny, unexpected voice in the dark.

[F]

I wish I could come up with a song that marvelous.

[B]

The two hedgehogs glanced around. They saw a crow in a nearby tree. They saw a sign tacked to the same tree that had a picture of a goose that said lost Goose. If found, call Philip. And finally, in the faint light of the coming dawn, they saw a dragonfly zipping in slow circles in the forest air. They learned the dragonfly had a name. Philomena, I wish to learn your ways.

[D]

Our ways?

[E]

Our particular ways of life.

[B]

Philomena nodded.

[F]

I've been spying on I mean innocently observing you both for weeks now. I yearn to live as you live, know what you know, and behave as you act. I mean behave.

[B]

Wow.

[E]

How flattering.

[B]

Right then and there, Little Hedgehog and Bebe made an appointment with Philomena and added it to their planners. They watched Philomena add it to her own teensy planner. It was decided to the Dragonfly would visit Little Hedgehog's burrow in three nights time for her very first tutoring session. Here's the address, little Hedgehog said, handing Philomena a card with directions to her burrow.

[D]

Just knock on the door.

[E]

Remember to arrive precisely at 3.37am this will help you practice arriving extremely early to everything, which is one of my personal ways.

[F]

I'll be there 3:37am on the dot.

[B]

We can also go over bookshelf organization

[D]

and sharing ideas in a confident manner,

[C]

such as I have an idea I need to tell you immediately.

[B]

Very good, Bebe said, scribbling a note.

[D]

Oh, and also we have to teach her to express exuberance.

[B]

Of course. Bebe added a bullet point to her list with a single word beside it.

[F]

Yay.

[B]

Hey, Little Hedgehog. And Bebe swiveled around to see Mr. Hedgehog in the doorway of Little Hedgehog's room.

[D]

Oh, hi, dad. You scared me.

[E]

Indeed, Mr. Hedgehog. We were completely absorbed in our task

[B]

of preparing for our very first tutoring

[E]

session of a dragonfly named Philomena.

[B]

Mr. Hedgehog gave them a puzzled smile. So, the babysitter will be here in

[E]

just a couple of minutes and I wanted to go over what we are alarmed, Mr. Hedgehog. This is completely and wholly unexpected. I told you guys about this.

[D]

Yes, but dad, we thought the babysitter was coming next Week, baby. How did we get this wrong? Didn't we jot it in our planners?

[E]

We jotted it in our planners. I remember with crystal clarity.

[B]

Like I said, she'll be here in a few minutes.

[D]

Dad, do you think we can still host our very first tutoring session with Philomena at 3:37am Even if the babysitter's here?

[E]

Philomena wishes to learn our ways, Mr. Hedgehog.

[B]

A dragonfly, you said, wants to learn the ways of two hedgehogs?

[D]

Makes total sense, dad.

[E]

It makes comprehensive sense. Mr. Hedgehog.

[B]

Mr. Hedgehog stared at the tiny hedgehogs.

[E]

I guess that would be fine.

[C]

Yay.

[E]

Yay.

[B]

With that topic moderately settled, Little Hedgehog and Bebe turned their attention to the fact that a babysitter would be arriving in mere moments.

[D]

We missed out on so much anticipation, Bebe.

[E]

Anticipation often constitutes a substantial percentage of one's enjoyment of an event.

[B]

Alright, well, you're welcome to anticipate the babysitter's arrival for the next. Mr. Hedgehog glanced at his watch. Two minutes.

[E]

While you're doing that, I just want to remind you of a few things.

[C]

Okie, dad.

[E]

Understood. Mr. Hedgehog. I'll be gone for several hours.

[D]

At a conference.

[B]

Correct.

[E]

At a conference where you will be delivering the keynote speech and will undoubtedly receive a standing ovation, not a keynote.

[B]

And I will likely get polite applause while I'm gone.

[E]

I expect excellent behavior from the two of you.

[B]

BB it was nice of your mom to allow you to stay here to keep Little Hedgehog company, but if you two cause trouble, it will not happen again.

[C]

Okay, dad.

[E]

You will be able to report to my mother that my behavior was impeccable, Mr. Hedgehog. Good.

[B]

Make sure you listen to the babysitter. She comes highly recommended from other parents at school.

[D]

Can we build a campfire while you're gone, dad?

[E]

And roast cricket kebabs? No.

[D]

Can our babysitter take us bird jumping? I have a strong desire to leap off a bird.

[E]

As do I. Or a flying squirrel.

[F]

No.

[D]

Can we call the babysitter, Madame Babysitter?

[B]

No.

[D]

Dad, do you remember the last time we had a babysitter?

[B]

Unfortunately, I do.

[D]

She did not seem to enjoy our singing.

[E]

Or our dancing.

[C]

Or our.

[B]

There were several knocks at the door.

[C]

Eek.

[E]

That must be the babysitter.

[B]

Mr. Hedgehog went to the door with Little Hedgehog and Bebe trailing close behind. That's strange, Mr. Hedgehog said, peering into the dark night forest. There's no one there. Mr. Hedgehog closed the door. Little Hedgehog and Bebe exchanged a curious look.

[F]

Baby.

[D]

The babysitter is invisible.

[E]

That is a plot twist I did not see coming.

[B]

Mr. Hedgehog opened the door and again peered out. Then came a voice.

[F]

Hello. I am Estelle, your babysitter, reporting for duty.

[B]

Mr. Hedgehog followed the sound of the small voice to a very small creature. After welcoming Estelle into the burrow, Mr. Hedgehog spent several minutes pacing. He mentally reviewed the recommendations he'd received from several of the parents of Little Hedgehog's classmates. Estelle is very good at juggling responsibilities and also mealworms.

[E]

She keeps all her eyes on your child at all times.

[F]

She taught my son to knit, which is difficult for a turtle. No fingers.

[B]

It had apparently not been worth mentioning that Estelle was also a spider. It was clear from Little Hedgehog's and Bebe's delighted smiles that they were charmed by this turtle of events. Meantime, Mr. Hedgehog checked his watch and scratched his chin Prickles with a paw.

[F]

I assure you I am very experienced with caring for nocturnal mammals, such as

[B]

your daughter, Estelle said.

[F]

I also speak 12 languages.

[E]

Wow. Impressive.

[F]

And I have certifications in prickle care.

[E]

Certifications. I love certifications.

[F]

Head check. Bedtime procedures. I love bedtime splinter removal.

[E]

Hmm. I typically acquire a splinter at least fortnightly due to my general outdoorsy ness and tourniquet application.

[F]

I am quite capable of creating a custom silk tourniquet in under 90 seconds. I am happy to demonstrate this right now, if you.

[B]

That won't be necessary, Little Hedgehog and Bebe grinned. Prickle to prickle. Estelle smiled confidently. Mr. Hedgehog glanced at his watch.

[D]

Dad, don't you need to get going?

[E]

You do not want to be late for your conference.

[B]

Mr. Hedgehog nodded slowly. That's right. This will be fine. This will be fine. The two Hedgehogs and the spider blinked up at Mr. Hedgehog. Girls, remember what I told you. Best behavior. Oh, and clean up that mess in

[E]

your room, Little Hedgehog.

[D]

Dad, that's not a mess.

[E]

It is our paper garment factory, Mr. Hedgehog.

[D]

We made paper outfits for little guy.

[C]

Dad.

[E]

He's going to look jaunty, Mr. Hedgehog. Clean it up.

[B]

The two tiny hedgehogs nodded. Mr. Hedgehog gathered his things and made a quick exit before he could overthink it.

[C]

Bye, dad.

[E]

Good tidings, Mr. Hedgehog.

[F]

Goodbye.

[B]

As soon as the door swung shut, Ms. Estelle said, now that he is

[F]

gone, you can have all the sugar beets you want. You may have a pillow fight, sending tiny feathers into the air that we will never realistically be able to clean up. And in a stunning crescendo, we will leap off birds.

[B]

Little hedgehog. And Bebe's eyes went wide with shock.

[F]

That was a humorous joke. I would never risk my professional reputation for ephemeral glee.

[E]

Oh, you really had us going there.

[A]

There is so much more to this story. You can hear the full episode by becoming a Little Stories Premium subscriber. Visit littlestoriespremium.com to join. And thank you, as always, for listening in

[F]

RA.