Hazel the Microbat and the Soothing Sounds

When the world feels too big and bright… where do you go?

Hazel the Microbat is having a very loud day. Her ears twitch, her tummy flips, and even the stars feel too bright! But a quiet moment by the lake — and a gentle friend — helps her find something she didn’t know she had: a calm place inside.

A tender story for gentle hearts about noise, overwhelm, and the quiet strength of stillness

🌟Perfect for children learning to soothe big feelings when the world feels too loud.

🎧 Listen to / Download the Audiobook

Hit play to listen to a sample of the heartwarming PatchO Pal story, read aloud for little ears.

This audiobook is a PatchO Family email list exclusive. Hazel's full audiobook will be sent to your inbox as a special bonus on your 1 month PatchO-versary from when you first joined the PatchO Family email list.

📖 Read Along Story

Snuggle up and read the full story with your little one below.

Hazel the Microbat and the Soothing Sounds

A tender story for gentle hearts about noise, overwhelm, and the quiet strength of stillness. By patcho.com.au.

Hazel the Microbat flew through the night, But something inside didn’t feel quite right.

The gumtrees were buzzing, the birds sang so loud— She fluttered and fumbled away from the crowd. 🫨

Her ears were twitching, her heart felt tight, Even the stars, tonight seemed, too bright. 🌟

Her wings felt shaky, her tummy spun— “I don’t like this,” she said. “Not this kind of fun.”

She flapped past a magpie, zipped past a tree, Looking for stillness, for space to just be.

Down by the lake where the lily-pads grow, She spotted a friend with a warm, gentle glow.

It was Pat the Platypus, calm as can be, Humming a tune by the paperbark tree. 🌳

She sat down near Pat with a sigh and a stare— “It’s all just too much. It’s too loud out there!”

“I know that feeling,” Pat said with a grin, “When too many sounds swirl outside and within.”

“I’m glad that you came. Let’s sit for a while— We’ll find a soft moment, a breath, and a smile.”  ☺️

They dipped their toes in the rippling lake,  The water moved gently with each little shake.

Pat hummed a lullaby soft and low, Like leaves in the wind or a river’s slow flow. 🍃

Hazel breathed in and let out a sigh, Her shoulders relaxed as the breeze drifted by.

She listened for crickets, the splash of a fish— The world felt quiet… almost like a wish.

“I feel so much better,” she said with a grin. “The stillness around helped to quiet within.  

I didn’t know sounds could be soft like a song— I think I could stay in this quiet all day long.” 😌

She fluttered back up through the whispering trees, Her heart felt calm, her wings rode the breeze.

Now she knew what to do when things started to spin — Talk to a friend, breathe out… and breathe in.

Now Hazel can rest when the world feels too loud, In her own quiet way — no need for a crowd.

With the breeze in the trees and the moon shining through, She drifts into sleep… in the soft evening blue. 😴

The end.

💡A Note for Grown-Ups

Young children often feel overwhelmed by sensory input—loud sounds, bright lights, or too much activity at once. Hazel’s story gently explores sensory overload and how children can regulate their feelings through grounding techniques and connection.

Key tools modeled:

• Seeking out quiet, safe spaces
• Naming feelings and asking for support
• Engaging with soft sensory experiences (water, breeze, quiet sounds)
• Breathing techniques paired with calming companionship

These strategies can help children learn they’re not alone in their big feelings—and that calm can be something they choose and return to, again and again.

You can support your child by:

• Creating a “quiet corner” at home — a cozy, dimly lit space with soft textures, calming objects, and maybe some noise-dampening tools where they can retreat when overwhelmed.
• Offering sensory-friendly aids like soft blankets, headphones, or a favourite calming toy or PatchO comfort companion aromatherapy patches to help them feel secure.
• Practicing breathing exercises or quiet “listening moments” together — noticing gentle sounds like a ticking clock, leaves rustling, or water trickling.
• Validating their feelings by saying things like, “It feels loud right now, doesn’t it? Let’s take a little break together.”
• Helping them notice when their body starts to feel calm again, so they can learn to recognise and build on those moments of quiet.

🌈Love this story?

Hazel's not the only one with a story to share.

Each of the PatchO Pals has their own heartwarming tale — giving young kids simple stories and tools to help with common challenges like feeling overwhelmed, losing focus, impatience and fomo, overcoming fears, sensory overload and disappointment when things change.

All stories are available for free as read-alongs, and you can unlock the audiobooks as you journey with the PatchO Pals —  by joining our email list, placing your first order, or exploring more with us.   

✨ Collect them all and build your own PatchO Storytime Audiobook Library! 

📚 PatchO Pal Stories & Audiobooks

📖 Pat the Platypus and the Stormy Surprise
🎧 Audiobook — Free to everyone.

📖 Ari the Superb Fairywren Finds His Focus
🎧 Audiobook— PatchO Family email list exclusive: Sign up bonus.

📖 Tilly the Treefrog and the Waiting Game
🎧 Audiobook — PatchO Family email list exclusive: Post-purchase bonus.

📖 Chad the Aussie Water Dragon and the Wobbly Bridge
🎧Audiobook — PatchO Family email list exclusive:  Reviewer bonus.

📖 Hazel the Microbat and the Soothing Sounds (this story)
🎧 Audiobook — PatchO Family email list exclusive: 1 month PatchO-versary bonus.

📖 Opal the Sugar Glider and the Rainy Day Picnic  
🎧 Audiobook — PatchO Family email list exclusive: Repeat purchase bonus.

💌Be sure to join our PatchO Family Email list (via the footer) to secure your audiobooks!

✍️Written by the PatchO Team
At PatchO, we’re a small Aussie team on a mission to inspire families to embrace life’s adventures — big and small.

Whether you’re navigating bedtime, busy mornings, or emotional ups and downs, we’re here to help make everyday rhythms feel calmer, more connected, and a little more magical — with the support of nature and our friendly PatchO Pals.

🧸 Want more gentle support for your family’s routines?
Explore our aromatherapy patches made to support big little feelings. Our Comfort Companions are thoughtfully designed to support connection, play, and meaningful moments together.