The Dormouse Family's Big Day: A Story for Kids

Podcast: Little Stories for Tiny People

Host: Rhea Pechter
Episode Date: October 4, 2025

Episode Overview

This whimsical episode tells the story of the Dormouse family and their unexpected adventure when their cozy pumpkin home takes a tumble and sets off a chain of surprising events. Blending gentle humor and warm life lessons, host Rhea Pechter crafts a tale about resilience, adaptation, family togetherness, and the joy of new beginnings, all tailored for young listeners and their caregivers.

Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. Introduction and Imagination Invitation

• [00:08–00:37]
  • Rhea welcomes listeners and invites them to imagine living inside a pumpkin.
  • “Remember, there are no pictures. You have to imagine the pictures in your mind. You can imagine them however you want.” – Rhea Pechter [00:37]

2. The Pumpkin Disaster!

• [00:58–04:45]
  • The Dormouse family, champion sleepers, are rudely awakened as their pumpkin home suddenly starts to roll and ends up in a river.
  • Mr. Dormouse's preparedness shines: he retrieves the long-forgotten emergency raft, initially mocked by Mrs. Dormouse.
    • “But our pumpkin could take a tumble down the hill…We could roll right into the river.” – Mr. Dormouse, recalling his foresight [03:09–03:24]
    • Papa is hailed as a hero by his family. “Oh, Papa, you’ve saved us!” – Dormouse children [04:45]

3. Lost and Found: Home is Temporary

• [04:51–08:19]
  • Despite losing their home, the Dormice reflect that pumpkins are only ever temporary shelters—subject to decay, animals, or misadventure.
    • “Pumpkins are not forever…They go rotten in three weeks, give or take a few days, depending on the weather.” – Narrator [07:05]
  • Past incidents retold: a bear eating through their pumpkin roof and a skunk carrying them away.

4. Lighthearted Family Banter

• [08:19–09:29]
  • The children joke about pumpkin-eating creatures and share quirks, like the fear of spiders and naming one “Skip” (Narrator, Rhea Pechter) [08:23–08:29].
  • The family processes the loss with mild wonder and little sadness—resilience in action.

5. Cousin Chaos and Urgency

• [09:18–10:30]
  • Realization dawns: dozens of cousins are due to visit that night!
  • A rushed but determined plan forms: the family must secure a new home and food in record time.

6. A Pumpkin Shopping Adventure

• [13:38–16:04]
  • At the pumpkin patch, the Dormice meet Yvette, a chipmunk with a checkered neckerchief.
  • The family reveals, to Yvette’s amazement, that they have 23 children and need a large pumpkin.
    • “We have 23 children.” – Mrs. Dormouse [16:04]
  • Yvette is continually pressed for time, checking her wristwatch and hurrying the selection.

7. The Pumpkin Dilemma

• [17:34–22:00]
  • The Dormouse parents seek a pumpkin that is just the right size and symmetrical.
  • Misunderstanding with Yvette: she assumes they'll eat the pumpkin, not live in it.
    • “You are going to live in it?” – Yvette, incredulous [19:25]
  • The perfect pumpkin is found, but time runs out as humans descend upon the patch!

8. Pumpkin Patch Panic

• [23:28–27:55]
  • Yvette urges, “You should gather your children and run.” [23:28]
  • Human children swarm the patch, taking all the best pumpkins—including the one the Dormice just picked.
    • “I didn’t know they ran in herds.” – Mr. Dormouse, about the human children [24:16]
  • The Dormouse family feels a sharp pang at losing the unattainable—but remind themselves home is where the family gathers.

9. A Misshapen but Perfect Home

• [27:55–29:45]
  • Settling for a misshapen pumpkin, the family discovers its practical benefits: it doesn’t roll away!
  • The children return and everyone helps hollow it out and settle in.
    • “Can we make pies, Mama? Can we please make pies?” – Dormouse child [29:41]
    • “Of course. We’ll make plenty of pies.” – Mrs. Dormouse [29:45]

10. Hospitality and Happy Endings

• [29:48–32:27]
  • With teamwork, the family prepares their new home and a feast, readying for the cousins’ visit.
  • A mix-up: the cousins are actually arriving in nine days, not four.
  • When they do arrive, the pumpkin is well-loved and homey.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Imagination Prompt:
  “Remember, there are no pictures. You have to imagine the pictures in your mind.” – Rhea Pechter [00:37]

• On Pumpkin Risks:
  “Nothing gets one off one’s feet quicker than a bear taking the roof off one’s home.” – Narrator [05:36]

• Resilience After Loss:
  “The family…watched their erstwhile home vanish beneath the current with a large measure of wonder and only a small measure of loss.” – Narrator [09:00]

• Yvette’s Shock:
  “You are going to live in it?” – Yvette, the chipmunk [19:25]

• On Human Children:
  “I didn’t know they ran in herds.” – Mr. Dormouse [24:16]

• Family Unity:
  “It is amazing what a single large family can do in a single night.” – Narrator [30:26]

Important Timestamps

• 00:37 – Imagination invitation and story start
• 04:45 – Mr. Dormouse saves his family
• 07:05 – Reflections on temporary pumpkin homes
• 13:38 – Pumpkin searching at the patch
• 16:04 – Revealing their 23 children to Yvette
• 19:25 – “You are going to live in it?”
• 23:28–24:27 – Human children overrun the patch
• 27:55 – Settling for a misshapen pumpkin
• 29:45 – Family teamwork emptying and setting up home
• 32:27 – Story conclusion and sweet ending

Tone and Style

The episode is imbued with warmth, gentle humor, and an encouraging, imaginative spirit. Rhea Pechter’s narration is nurturing and playful, offering comfort, reassurance, and delight in family resourcefulness and togetherness. The story gently acknowledges life’s unpredictability and reminds listeners that family, adaptability, and shared effort can turn any pumpkin—no matter how misshapen—into a cherished home.

Summary Takeaway

The Dormouse Family's Big Day showcases how adaptability, optimism, and teamwork can transform challenges into family stories of triumph. Perfect for bedtime or anytime, the episode provides an engaging, comforting story that highlights the power of imagination and the true meaning of home.