Books at Bedtime By Calming Anxiety - The Little Black Doll - By Lucy M Montgomery

The Little Black Doll by L.M. Montgomery — A Tender Bedtime Story for Sleep & Insomnia | Books at Bedtime

Drift off to sleep with The Little Black Doll by L.M. Montgomery, a tender, bittersweet tale of love, sacrifice and an unexpected gift from the author of Anne of Green Gables, read aloud by Martin Hewlett on Books at Bedtime, the sleep story series from Calming Anxiety.

Little Joyce is an orphan, shy, thin and awkward, living with her stately Grandmother Marshall, who has never found much to love in a granddaughter who doesn't do her credit. Pretty, golden-haired cousin Chrissy is taken everywhere. Little Joyce is left at home. In all the world, only two things love her back: Denise, the gentle French girl who lies ill in the little kitchen chamber, and Joyce's most treasured possession, a small doll carved from polished black wood, found in an Egyptian tomb and said to be four thousand years old.

The whole household is buzzing about the great French-Canadian prima donna, Madame Lauren, who is to sing at the Harbour Light Hotel. Denise longs with all her heart to hear her sing the old French songs her mother sang to her, just one little song. So, while the family is out, Little Joyce slips away down the shore road, carrying her precious black doll in a box and a brave plan in her heart.

This classic bedtime story for adults is perfect for winding down, easing insomnia and letting a busy mind settle into deep, restful sleep. Montgomery's gentle seaside setting, a deeply moving and heart-warming ending, and Martin's calm, unhurried narration make it an ideal sleep audiobook for anyone who finds it hard to switch off at night.

If you enjoy L.M. Montgomery, you'll find more of her short stories on Books at Bedtime, including The Gossip of Valley View, The Fillmore Elderberries, Jessamine, A Redeeming Sacrifice and Uncle Richard's New Year's Dinner, all from the same collection.

The Little Black Doll was first published in 1909 and is collected in Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1909 to 1922. L.M. Montgomery (1874–1942) and this story are in the public domain.

Hosted by clinical hypnotherapist and former paramedic Martin Hewlett.

📱 Listen to Books at Bedtime in the Anchored app, offline and with the screen off, so you can fall asleep without a bright phone in your hand:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/anchored-panic-anxiety/id6785035669

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.martinhewlett.anchored

🧡 For Martin's calming tips, visit: https://calminganxiety.org/calm

Sleep well, my friend. And in everything, be kind.

Rate & Review: Leave a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help us reach more listeners!

YouTube: Watch all episodes at https://www.youtube.com/c/calminganxiety?sub_confirmation=1

Social Media Support: For younger listeners struggling with social media stress, visit https://www.icanhelp.net/

Music: All music by Chris Collins at Indie Music Box

Ready for More Calm?Thank you for listening to the Calming Anxiety Podcast, featuring guided meditation, mindfulness, and sleep hypnosis sessions with Martin Hewlett. Our mission is to provide you with proven tools for anxiety relief, stress reduction, and a path toward deep relaxation. Use this episode anytime you need to calm your mind and feel more at ease.