Podcast Summary: Sleep Tight Stories – “Bernice Has Tea With Gertrude 🐻” (Encore Bedtime Story)

Podcast: Sleep Tight Stories – Bedtime Stories for Kids
Host: Sleep Tight Media / Starglow Media
Episode Date: October 8, 2025
Episode: “Bernice Has Tea With Gertrude 🐻”
Main Theme:
A gentle, cozy story about Bernice’s day as she returns from a chilly hockey practice, shares sweet moments with Papa Bear, and enjoys an afternoon tea with her friend Gertrude. The episode highlights themes of friendship, trying new things, and the warmth of small, everyday joys.

Main Story Overview

• Bernice returns home from a cold hockey practice, trying to surprise her Papa Bear.
• She shares warm cocoa with Papa and discusses the highs and lows of starting hockey.
• Bernice prepares for a tea date with her friend Gertrude, bringing along Papa’s special cookies.
• The girls enjoy a tea party, chat about friends, books, and sports, and reaffirm the value of kindness and forgiveness.
• The evening closes with Bernice’s bedtime routine, reflecting on her happy day and her friendships.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Bernice's Return from Hockey Practice

• Atmosphere: The warm, comforting home contrasts with Bernice's cold walk home after hockey.
• Bernice tries to sneak up and spook Papa Bear but is foiled by Cookie, their cat.
  • Memorable moment: “Oo. I am a scary monster!” (05:12) – Bernice, attempting to surprise Papa Bear.
• Bernice feels she isn’t a very spooky monster, especially with Cookie “ruining” the surprise.
• Papa Bear offers hot cocoa and expresses warmth and encouragement after Bernice admits hockey was hard but fun.
• Bernice shares her struggles at hockey:
  • “I only fell down 10 times, which is better than last time.” (06:20)
  • She enjoys hockey, but other sports like swimming and basketball are more her style.

Preparations for Gertrude’s Tea Party

• Papa Bear reveals the cookies are meant for Bernice to share at Gertrude’s.
• Quick costume change into “tea party clothes”—comfortable jeans and her favorite hoodie—demonstrates Bernice’s expressive, laid-back character.
• Pirouette of family life: Mama Bear is picking up snacks for the tea, and Mama and Papa get some rare time to relax.
• Papa Bear’s gentle reminder:
  • “Here are the cookies, little bear. Make sure to say hello to Gertrude for me and don’t forget your please and thank yous.” (08:40)

The Tea Party at Gertrude’s House

• Gertrude’s house is cozy and fragrant with cinnamon.
• The tea party setup: small flower-painted cups, steaming tea, homemade biscuits, and Papa’s cookies.
• The girls’ easygoing, silly banter reveals their close friendship:
  • Jokes about Bobby’s adventurous eating (“Bobby would eat anything except carrots.” (11:00))
  • Reflecting on sports:
    • Bernice: “Some of the boys are too rough and I’m not ready to be rough back.” (13:24)
    • Gertrude admits she prefers books and painting over sports.
• Discussion of books:
  • Gertrude introduces Bernice to “The Adventures of Sophie Mouse,” a story about kindness and making new friends.
  • Connection to real life: Sophie, the mouse, befriends a snake despite others’ fears.
  • Gertrude: “Sophie doesn’t judge him right away and wants to give him a chance.” (15:10)
  • Bernice: “That sounds really nice.” (15:25)
• The value of sharing favorite stories and encouraging different interests:
  • “If I could borrow them, that would be cool. I think I need a break from reading science stuff. My imagination might shrink if I keep reading it all the time!” (16:45) – Bernice

Honest Conversation and Kindness

• Gertrude brings up a past regret about not being nice to Bobby, expressing guilt and wanting to make amends.
  • Bernice: “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. We’ll all be friends forever.” (18:05)
  • Theme of forgiveness and understanding.

Afternoon Adventures and Friendship

• The girls consider picking apples (“wormy apples”) but opt for browsing books and playing games.
• They bond over schoolwork struggles and share snacks and laughter.
• “The rest of the afternoon was spent flipping through books, playing games, eating mini sandwiches, and talking about all the kids at school.” (19:00)

Bedtime Reflections

• Bernice returns home, happy and fulfilled.
• She’s excited to read her borrowed books, performs her bedtime routine, and settles in with her favorite stuffed friends.
• Sweet bedtime ritual with Papa Bear, emphasizing:
  • The joy of reading: “Reading is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.” (22:40) – Papa Bear
  • The joy of sharing treats: “Sharing treats with a friend is even better.” (22:55) – Papa Bear
• Bernice talks about her day, the fun she had, and how different friends add to her happiness.
• Bedtime signals with the family (“Yawning Olympics”) bring gentle closure.
• The episode ends with hugs, love, and the comforting phrase, “Good night. Sleep tight.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bernice’s failed surprise:
  • “Oo. I am a scary monster!” (05:12)
  • “It’s Cookie's fault. She broke my concentration.” (05:30)
• Sports confession:
  • "I only fell down 10 times, which is better than last time." (06:20)
• Papa Bear’s loving advice:
  • “Here are the cookies, little bear. Make sure to say hello to Gertrude for me and don’t forget your please and thank yous.” (08:40)
• Friendship & forgiveness:
  • “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. We’ll all be friends forever.” (18:05) – Bernice
• Joy of reading:
  • “Reading is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.” (22:40) – Papa Bear

Key Timestamps

• 00:32 – Bernice returns home, attempts a “spooky” surprise
• 05:12 – Bernice tries to scare Papa Bear
• 06:20 – Shares hockey practice experience
• 08:40 – Papa Bear’s advice before tea
• 10:40 – Arrival at Gertrude’s tea party
• 13:24 – Talk about sports and friendship
• 15:10 – Gertrude introduces “The Adventures of Sophie Mouse”
• 18:05 – Discussion of past regrets, forgiveness
• 19:00 – Afternoon spent reading, playing games
• 22:40 – Papa Bear’s bedtime wisdom

Tone and Takeaways

The episode is warm, gentle, and filled with everyday magic—centered on the joys of friendship, new experiences, kindness, and the comfort of family rituals. The dialogue is authentic and playful, with just enough humor and heart to resonate with kids and parents alike.

Bernice’s adventures show that trying new things, sharing with friends, and being open to forgiveness are important parts of growing up—and that at the end of the day, home is a place for comfort and sweet routines.

Sleep Tight Stories delivers another cozy, relatable bedtime tale, perfect for sending little ones off to sleep feeling safe, connected, and inspired.