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: Rocky Mountains, USA
High above the clouds, where the air is crisp and the world feels endless, two best friends—Kiko the pika and Miri the marmot—welcome the magic of spring. Their mountain is alive with rushing streams, swaying wildflowers, and the hum of creatures big and small. It has always been their playground, their home.
But this spring feels different. The streams are quieter. The glacier is shrinking. Something is changing.
Determined to understand what’s happening, Kiko and Miri set off on a journey to the mountain’s heart—the great glacier itself. Along the way, they meet a wise eagle, who shares a truth they never expected: the mountain’s strength isn’t just in the ice and rock—it’s in the creatures that call it home.
Now, Kiko and Miri must find a way to bring the mountain back to life. But how can two small friends make a difference in something so vast?
The answer may be closer than they think. And the mountain is listening.
Where LITTLE Ears go on Big Adventures
BOOK 4 - The Mountain that found its Heart
Dedicated to the glaciers, streams, and wild places that sustain us all
STory Synopsis
BOOK 4 - The Mountain that Found its Heart
Dedicated to the glaciers, streams, and wild places that sustain us all
STory Synopsis
Location: Rocky Mountains, USA
High above the clouds, where the air is crisp and the world feels endless, two best friends—Kiko the pika and Miri the marmot—welcome the magic of spring. Their mountain is alive with rushing streams, swaying wildflowers, and the hum of creatures big and small. It has always been their playground, their home.
But this spring feels different. The streams are quieter. The glacier is shrinking. Something is changing.
Determined to understand what’s happening, Kiko and Miri set off on a journey to the mountain’s heart—the great glacier itself. Along the way, they meet a wise eagle, who shares a truth they never expected: the mountain’s strength isn’t just in the ice and rock—it’s in the creatures that call it home.
Now, Kiko and Miri must find a way to bring the mountain back to life. But how can two small friends make a difference in something so vast?
The answer may be closer than they think. And the mountain is listening.
Where LITTLE Ears go on Big Adventures
featuring
Kiko
A lively and courageous pika with warm honey-colored fur, determined to protect her beloved mountain.
Miro
A soft-hearted marmot with round cheeks and a deep love for her home, Kiko’s loyal best friend.
The Eagle
A wise and graceful guide who reveals the importance of interconnectedness and inspires Kiko and Miri to act.
Marmots
The diggers and stabilizers of the mountain’s soil, vital to its ecosystem.
Snow Finches
Seed-carrying birds who spread life across the valley, symbolizing resilience and growth.
Wildflowers
The colorful guardians of the mountain’s soil, anchoring it to protect against erosion.
Humans
Silent caretakers planting saplings and guiding streams, showcasing their role in conservation efforts.
WRITTEN BY: ALDOUS HEAF + AMANDA HILL
NARRATED BY: Jojo Macari
Nature Sounds: The Listening Planet
& Martyn Stewart
Producer and Sound Designer: Seb Masters
Illustrator: Kate Kuznetsova
Rocky Mountains, USA - The story unfolds in the Rocky Mountains, where spring meadows bloom and streams trickle from the glacier’s fading ice. From the windswept ridge to hidden forest clearings, the mountain is alive—a wild, changing world where Kiko and Miri’s journey begins.
The Mountain Slopes:
A breathtaking landscape of rocky outcroppings, cascading streams, and patches of wildflowers thriving under the sun. This is the heart of life on the mountain.
The Glacier:
The shimmering, icy heart of the mountain, fragile and shrinking. It holds the lifeblood of the mountain’s ecosystem, feeding streams and sustaining life.
The Valleys Below:
A lush connection to the human world, where saplings are planted, and streams are gently guided to sustain life. These valleys symbolize hope and renewal.
The Ridge:
A windswept lookout offering sweeping views of the mountain’s peaks and valleys. It is a place of reflection and perspective, often visited by the eagle.
The Spring Meadows:
Lush, awakening patches of grass and wildflowers bursting with color. Streams trickle through the meadows, and the air is alive with the hum of life. This is where Kiko and Miri’s journey begins.
LOCATION
WRITTEN BY: ALDOUS HEAF + AMANDA HILL
NARRATED BY: Jojo Macari
Nature Sounds: The Listening Planet
& Martyn Stewart
Producer and Sound Designer: Seb Masters
Illustrator: Kate Kuznetsova
NARRATED BY: Jojo Macari
created by: aldous Heaf
