Story sample
stories
LITTLE LISTENS PODCAST SERIES
LITTLE LISTENS SHORT STORIES
COMING SOON
On April 3rd, 2025, we joyously celebrate the 70th birthday of Martyn Stewart, our co-founder and pioneer in wildlife sound recording. In honor of this milestone, we're thrilled to launch THE LITTLE LISTENING PLANET.
A Boy Who Listened to the World
Martyn's journey began long before he ever held a microphone. When he was just 8 years old, he and his big brother, Alan, would slip away from the noisy streets of Birmingham, England, and disappear into the green, whispering countryside. To some, it was just a forest. To Martyn, it was a whole other world. The rustling leaves carried secrets. The streams murmured ancient lullabies. And the birds? They weren’t just singing—they were telling stories.
At 11 years old, Martyn found a way to save those stories. Borrowing his brother’s microphone and tape recorder, he captured the song of a Eurasian Blackbird. That one recording unlocked a lifelong adventure - one that would take him across the planet, collecting the voices of creatures great and small, from the roaring Arctic winds to the tiniest buzzing bees in the Amazon.
A Keeper of Earth’s Hidden Voices
For over 60 years, Martyn has traveled the world, listening to animals that most of us will never get to meet in person. He’s recorded the deep, wise rumbles of elephants, the splashy chatter of dolphins, and the lonely howls of wolves under a silver moon. But he doesn’t just record sounds—he keeps their stories alive, making sure the voices of our planet are never forgotten.
That’s why we’re launching THE LISTENING PLANET KIDS - a new way for children (of all ages) to discover these magical sounds and stories, just like Martyn did when he was young. Because the world is full of voices waiting to be heard—and who knows? Maybe YOU will be the next great listener!
Because when we listen, we learn. And when we learn, we love.
Location: Coral Triangle, Indonesia
Deep in the shimmering waters of the Coral Triangle, Flick, a curious young seahorse, and Sandy, a grumpy but loyal crab, dart through swaying coral branches, playing tag in their vibrant reef. But something is changing. The colors are fading, the water is growing still, and the reef’s once-lively hum is disappearing.
When they meet Glow, a regal but fading coral, she reveals a troubling truth—the reef is struggling. Warmer waters, creeping algae, and vanishing sea life are leaving it weaker than ever.
Determined to help, Flick and Sandy set off on a journey to uncover how the reef can be saved. Along the way, they meet incredible sea creatures—a parrotfish cleaning algae, a sea turtle tending the seagrass, and a tiny shrimp scrubbing fish scales—each playing a role in keeping the ocean alive.
But is it enough? Can the reef be restored?
With the guidance of Raya, a wise manta ray, Flick and Sandy make an unexpected discovery—one that could bring hope back to the ocean. The reef’s future isn’t lost yet… but time is running out.
Where LITTLE Ears go on Big Adventures
BOOK 5 - The Coral and the Sea Horse
Dedicated to the dreamers, helpers, and heroes who bring color back to our oceans
STory Synopsis
BOOK 5 - The Coral and the Sea Horse
Dedicated to the dreamers, helpers, and heroes who bring color back to our oceans
STory Synopsis
Location: Coral Triangle, Indonesia
Deep in the shimmering waters of the Coral Triangle, Flick, a curious young seahorse, and Sandy, a grumpy but loyal crab, dart through swaying coral branches, playing tag in their vibrant reef. But something is changing. The colors are fading, the water is growing still, and the reef’s once-lively hum is disappearing.
When they meet Glow, a regal but fading coral, she reveals a troubling truth—the reef is struggling. Warmer waters, creeping algae, and vanishing sea life are leaving it weaker than ever.
Determined to help, Flick and Sandy set off on a journey to uncover how the reef can be saved. Along the way, they meet incredible sea creatures—a parrotfish cleaning algae, a sea turtle tending the seagrass, and a tiny shrimp scrubbing fish scales—each playing a role in keeping the ocean alive.
But is it enough? Can the reef be restored?
With the guidance of Raya, a wise manta ray, Flick and Sandy make an unexpected discovery—one that could bring hope back to the ocean. The reef’s future isn’t lost yet… but time is running out.
Where LITTLE Ears go on Big Adventures
featuring
Flick:
A nimble and curious seahorse with a playful spirit and a big heart. He’s determined to help the reef shine again.
Sandy:
A grumpy but dependable crab who grows braver and more optimistic as the journey unfolds.
Glow:
A regal, dramatic coral with faded colors who once dazzled the reef and dreams of its return to glory.
Raya:
A graceful and wise manta ray who guides Flick and Sandy to discover the power of teamwork and the role of humans in reef restoration.
Parrotfish:
A cheerful algae-eating fish who cleans the coral, helping it grow.
Sea Turtle:
A wise grazer who maintains balance by keeping seagrass in check.
Cleaner Shrimp:
A tiny but proud helper who scrubs fish clean to keep them healthy.
Sea Cucumber:
A slow but essential recycler who filters sand, keeping the reef’s foundation healthy.
Humans:
Silent yet pivotal allies, planting coral fragments and creating nurseries to restore the reef’s life.
WRITTEN BY: ALDOUS HEAF + AMANDA HILL
NARRATED BY: DYLAN CORBETT-BADER
Nature Sounds: The Listening Planet
& Martyn Stewart
Producer and Sound Designer: Seb Masters
Illustrator: Kate Kuznetsova
Location: The Coral Triangle
The story is set in the magical waters of the Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on Earth, spanning Indonesia, the Philippines, and beyond.
The Vibrant Reef:
The heart of the story, where coral grows like underwater trees, schools of fish dart like rainbows, and plankton shimmer like stars.
The Quiet Reef:
A fading section of the coral reef, where algae spreads and life grows quieter, symbolizing the challenges of environmental imbalance.
The Coral Nursery:
A magical underwater garden where humans plant coral fragments onto star-shaped frames, nurturing life back into the ocean.
Mangrove Forests:
Vital coastal ecosystems visited briefly, showing their role in filtering water and supporting marine life.
Seagrass Meadows:
Lush underwater fields grazed by turtles, playing a key role in balancing the reef’s health.
LOCATION
WRITTEN BY: ALDOUS HEAF + AMANDA HILL
NARRATED BY: DYLAN CORBETT-BADER
Nature Sounds: The Listening Planet
& Martyn Stewart
Producer and Sound Designer: Seb Masters
Illustrator: Kate Kuznetsova
NARRATED BY: DYLAN CORBETT-BADER
created by: aldous Heaf
