One soothing voice that carries your child to sleep? Or a cast of characters that makes the story feel like a movie? Both work - but they work differently.
This guide helps you pick the right style for your child and the moment. Spoiler: most families end up using both.
What Is Storyteller Mode?
One voice tells the entire story, including all character dialogue and narration. The narrator speaks in third person, describing actions and voicing all characters through subtle changes in tone.
"And then Emma said, 'I'm not scared of the dark anymore.'"
The Experience
- Consistent, soothing voice throughout
- Traditional audiobook feel
- One voice carries you through the entire journey
How It Works in Bedtime Stories
- 50+ voices to find one that sounds just right for your family
- Male or female narrator - whichever your child prefers
- One consistent voice throughout - no jarring changes
- Preview any voice before creating your story
What Is Full Cast Mode?
Multiple voices bring the story to life. Each character speaks in their own distinct voice, like a radio drama or animated movie.
Emma's voice: "I'm not scared anymore!"
The Experience
- Mom sounds like mom, dad sounds like dad
- The dragon has a deep, rumbling voice
- The fairy has a light, magical voice
How It Works in Bedtime Stories
- Up to 6 voices - so your child knows who is speaking without asking
- Pick the perfect voice for each character
- Mix family voices with dragon rumbles and fairy whispers
- We make sure no two characters sound alike
Benefits of Storyteller Mode
Calm and Consistent
- One voice creates a predictable, soothing rhythm
- No sudden changes that might re-energize a sleepy child
- Gentle, meditative quality perfect for winding down
Traditional Storytelling Feel
- Mirrors how parents read bedtime stories
- Familiar audiobook experience
- Focuses attention on the story, not the voices
Clarity
- Always clear who is speaking (narrator tells you)
- No confusion about which character is talking
- Easier for younger children to follow
Best For:
- Very young children (ages 3-4)
- Children who are easily overstimulated
- Calm bedtime wind-down
- Stories with many characters (simpler to follow)
- Parents who prefer traditional storytelling
Benefits of Full Cast Mode
Immersive and Engaging
- Feels like watching a movie with your ears
- Each character comes alive distinctly
- More emotionally engaging
- Captures attention for distracted listeners
Character Connection
- Children connect more deeply with characters who have their own voice
- Easier to remember who is who
- Characters feel more "real"
Entertainment Value
- More dynamic listening experience
- Appeals to children who love animated shows
- Makes complex stories easier to follow emotionally
Best For:
- Children ages 5 and up
- Stories with distinct characters (family stories, adventures)
- Keeping attention during longer stories
- Fantasy stories with magical characters
- Children who love animated movies
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Storyteller | Full Cast |
|---|---|---|
| Voices | 1 | Up to 6 |
| Feel | Traditional audiobook | Radio drama / animated movie |
| Energy level | Calm, consistent | Dynamic, varied |
| Character distinction | Narrator describes | Voices distinguish |
| Best age range | All ages, especially 3-4 | 5 and up |
| Complexity handling | Better for many characters | Better for deep connection |
| Bedtime suitability | Excellent | Good (slightly more stimulating) |
| Magical stories | Good | Excellent |
When to Choose Each Style
Choose Storyteller When...
- Your child is under 5 years old
- It has been an exciting day and they need to calm down
- The story has many characters (simplifies listening)
- Your child prefers consistency and routine
- You want a classic, parent-reading-aloud feel
Choose Full Cast When...
- Your child is 5 or older
- They love animated movies and shows
- The story features distinct characters (family, magical creatures)
- You want maximum engagement
- It is earlier in the evening (more energy to wind down)
Our Voice Collection
Real-World Voices
- Child voices (boy, girl)
- Teen voices (boy, girl)
- Adult voices (male, female)
- Elder voices (grandpa, grandma style)
Magical Voices
- Dragons (deep, rumbling)
- Fairies (light, magical)
- Wizards (wise, mysterious)
- Kings and Queens (regal, commanding)
- And many more
Voice Pairing
- Most voices have male and female versions
- Some character voices are inherently gendered (princess, king)
- You can preview any voice before selecting
Tips for Choosing Voices
For Full Cast Mode, follow these tips to get the best experience:
- 1Match voices to characters: Child character? Use a child voice. Grandma character? Use an elder female voice.
- 2Consider personality: A shy character might suit a softer voice. A brave character might suit a stronger voice.
- 3Vary the voices: Do not pick similar voices for different characters. The more distinct, the easier to follow.
- 4Preview before confirming: Listen to voice samples to ensure they fit your mental image of the character.
- 5Magical characters deserve magical voices: If the story has a dragon, give it the dragon voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch between modes for different stories?
Absolutely. Choose the mode that fits each story and mood.
Is Full Cast more expensive?
No. Both modes cost the same per story.
What if I pick Full Cast but the story only has 2 characters?
That works great. Full Cast can have 2-6 voices - use as many as your story needs.
Are these real human voices?
Our voices are AI-generated but trained on real human speech. They sound natural with genuine emotion, warmth, and expressiveness - not robotic text-to-speech.
