Storytime has a soundtrack—and you’re the storyteller

Stories were a big part of my childhood. I grew up in northern Sweden, and visiting relatives down south meant long journeys with my parents and siblings. We loved to listen to audiobooks and radio theater on cassette. My guess is that this laid part of the foundation for what has now become Fablemancer.

At home, my parents read to us. As the third child, I listened along while they read to my older siblings, and that was where my own love of books began. Mom kept reading Harry Potter to me long after I could read it myself. We enjoyed reading together too much to want to stop. That love of reading is one of the best things my parents ever gave me.

As a teenager, I started working as a video editor. What began as funny gaming montages on YouTube eventually grew into work on esports productions seen by millions. That isn’t what I do today, but I learned something important: the right sound and music at the right moment can awaken strong emotions.

Last year, my wife and I were expecting our first child. I started thinking more about my own childhood, and about all the stories I wanted to read with our child. I think that’s when the idea began to take shape. An idea I felt I had to bring to life. An idea that already felt like part of me. An idea I hoped could help hundreds of other children fall in love with stories and books.

That idea has now become Fablemancer.

For this launch, there are three illustrated children’s books you can open and read together today. Each has music, atmosphere and sound effects to accompany your reading. The right sound at the right moment, with you still telling the story.

You set the pace

The part that makes this work is something I call Magic Trace. As you read aloud, you guide a marker through the words with a small movement of your thumb or mouse. The sounds come in as you reach the right moments in the story. I think it’s easier to get a feel for it by trying it yourself.

You read at your own pace and do all your usual voices. There’s room to linger over an illustration, stop for a question, or read a favorite passage again. Those small interruptions are part of reading together.

I want you to enjoy what sound can add to a story while still reading in your own way. You decide when to move on, when to build a little suspense, and when the troll under the bridge finally gets to speak.

Three stories to begin with

The first three books are all available in English and Swedish.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff follows three hungry goats who want to reach the greener grass on the other side of a bridge. Unfortunately, the troll underneath has his own plans for lunch. It’s a short adventure, and a good place to put your troll voice to use.

The Fablemancer and the Star Stone is an original fantasy story about a prince and princess, a divided kingdom, and a mysterious stone. With the Fablemancer’s help, the children discover how stories can bring people together. I wrote it because I wanted to give the Fablemancer a face and a purpose of her own. A storyteller who helps people understand each other felt like the right person to have at the center of this project.

The Hare and the Tortoise is my take on the familiar race between a confident hare and a patient tortoise. You can read the whole story free, without creating an account. If you’re curious about Fablemancer, this is where I’d start.

It’s a small library so far, and I’d love to add more stories. But first, I’m looking forward to hearing what it’s like for other families to read these books together.

Which moments did your children enjoy? Was anything difficult or distracting? Is there a story you’d love to see here?

You can write to me at hello@fablemancer.com. You don’t need to write a review. A few thoughts after reading a book would mean a lot to me.

You can read in your browser on a phone, tablet or computer. For now, find somewhere comfortable, gather your audience, and let’s read a story.