Edith Bowman narrates children’s stories for car journeys

RADIO and television presenter Edith Bowman has launched a series of narrated children’s stories to help parents this Christmas.

Radio and television presenter Edith Bowman

In partnership with Vauxhall Motors, the Scot has narrated popular children’s stories by author Tracey Corderoy to ease long car journeys over the festive period and the backseat feel like bedtime.

‘Backseat Bedtime’ comes as more Brits prepare to embark on long drives over Christmas and New Year than at any other time of the year, according to the RAC.

Seventy-five per cent of parents say they find long car journeys stressful, with the majority saying they find it difficult to keep their little ones amused.

Half of parents time long journeys to coincide with bedtime and over half put their children in their pyjamas before setting off, hoping they will sleep straight through, to minimise stress.

The three stories – Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam, Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Cat Burglar and Hubble Bubble Granny Trouble – from author Tracey Corderoy and independent publishers Nosy Crow, were chosen for their popularity, and follow the exploits of two robber dogs who turn good, and a very peculiar granny.

Bowman said: “Reading or listening to stories has always been something I’ve done with my kids from a very early age, both at home or on our travels. It’s one of my favourite things to do as a parent, so being a bedtime storyteller was a dream for me. The idea is brilliant, using that time when kids are stuck in the car to entertain them, help them get some rest and give parents some peace!”

The content can be streamed as audio or video through Vauxhall’s in-car intelligence system.