In today’s fast-paced world and amid an unstable economy, parents spend much of their time at work. Gadgets have become a convenient way to occupy children’s attention. However, these same gadgets often leave parents feeling guilty for not giving their children enough warmth and care.
Margaryta Surzhenko proposes creating a new family tradition: reading short bedtime stories. If there’s no time for lengthy books, and if traditional tales feel outdated or irrelevant, parents can read a short bedtime story addressing contemporary issues.
On the website *nochdobra.com*over 300 stories by Margaryta (and a few from other authors) are available. These stories tackle themes such as equality, ecology, loneliness, adaptability, communication, overcoming laziness, embracing one’s whole self, and resisting distractions. The stories featuring the character Agata Onion address questions about the meaning of freedom and how to take responsibility for it. Another tales explore topics such as global warming, reconnecting with ancestral traditions lost during occupation, showing understanding and kindness to others, feminism, and the development of inner qualities that outweigh appearance.
Since 2015, Margaryta has been writing down the stories she tells her son. The website showcases the evolution of her stories as her son grew older, and the themes changed accordingly. Initially, the stories addressed fears of staying home alone while Mom goes to the store or behaving well in first grade. Later, they explored topics like the TikTok monster, preserving one’s native language, and pursuing goals in a chaotic world.
Over the years, the story of Billy the Hedgehog was included in a second-grade children’s textbook. Many of Margaryta’s tales have been narrated by other creators on YouTube. Since the stories are free, they are often used by volunteers reading to children in organizations that support refugees.
After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Margaryta received feedback that her stories were read to children in basements to calm and engage them. This inspired her to create an entire cycle of tales about heroes enduring attacks from fiery dragons.