What Are Digital Story Letters? | A Guide

A Guide to a Gentle New Way of Storytelling

There is a quiet kind of magic returning to childhood.
Not the loud, fast, overstimulating kind that screens create, but a slower rhythm.
A moment to pause, breathe, and enter a story that feels like an exhale.

This is where Otto & Bear’s Letters live. In the place between ancestral memory and current life.

Digital story letters are illustrated stories delivered by email each month.
A gentle blend of present-day life and the slower, Earth-led rhythms many families are returning to.

They offer the feeling of receiving something personal and meaningful, without the ecological footprint of printed and mailed letters. 

They are also a beautiful companion for travelling families, world schoolers, and anyone living between places, offering a steady rhythm of story, no matter where in the world you are.

Illustrated stories delivered to your inbox each month, a simple, modern vessel carrying a very old magic. If you’d like to explore more of the heart behind the letters, you can visit The Circle of Quiet Things.

Why Digital Story Letters?

1. They feel personal

Children love receiving something that feels like it was made just for them.
Digital story letters keep that excitement alive, while being simple for families to open and enjoy wherever they are.

2. They align with the values of many families today

It brings back that “a letter is coming” feeling, but in a way that fits the pace, values, and mobility of present-day family life.

3. They are beautiful and hand-crafted

Each letter is hand-drawn, giving children artwork that feels warm, alive, and made with care.
Not computer-generated. Not mass-produced, just slow art, created with presence and love.

4. They are Earth-honouring

After a lot of reflection and research, the choice became clear:

*far less paper and material waste

*no postage or shipping emissions

*no single-use envelopes

*families can print or stay digital

*stories can be enjoyed anywhere in the world

And at the heart of them is a simple intention:
to bring back the wonder of receiving a letter, in a form that honours both children and the planet; a small, meaningful way to reduce impact while still sharing beauty.

What Makes Otto and Bear’s Letters Different?

These letters aren’t just stories.
They are gentle invitations back to imagination, warmth, and connection told through ancestral wisdom, story, and experiences.

My intention has always been to create stories that feel like a bedtime tale and a quiet breath woven together; something children can settle into, not rush through.

*Inside each letter, children will find:

*hand-drawn illustrations filled with warmth and texture

*soft, sensory themes that calm the nervous system

*gentle wisdom from nature, friendship, and the wider world

*slow storytelling that allows space to imagine, notice, and feel

*a rhythm that builds trust, excitement, and belonging

If you’d like to read more about the heart and intention behind these letters,
you can read about us.

Who Are Digital Story Letters For?

Digital story letters are especially cherished by:

* parents seeking meaningful, screen-light stories

* children ages 4 to 10, and older children who love imagination

* sensitive or highly imaginative children who thrive on gentle imagery

* families craving rhythm, connection, and simple rituals

* eco-conscious parents

* travelling families, worldschoolers, and home-educating communities

* Waldorf-based leaning, forest school, or nature-based families

* anyone who loves hand-crafted storytelling

* and  quietly - adults who need wonder too

If your family desires more stillness, loves story, and values presence, you’re already in the right place.

What’s Included Each Month?

When you join, you receive:

* a beautifully illustrated story letter

* one to three double-sided pages of gentle story

* a soft nature-based theme woven through each chapter

* artwork children love to return to

* a monthly rhythm that supports belonging and calm

You receive your first letter immediately. Then one letter each month for a total of 12 months. Explore all subscription options here

Why Children Love Them

Children love these letters because they feel:

* inviting

* warm

* imaginative

* calming

* like a ritual they can look forward to

In a world that moves quickly, these stories invite families back into a gentler pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What devices can I read the letters on?

You can read the letters on any device that supports PDFs - laptops, desktops, iPads, most tablets, and all smartphones.
(Some e-readers like Kindles do not display illustrated PDFs well, so a phone, tablet, or computer gives the best experience.)

Can I print the letters?

Yes. Many families enjoy printing them to create a little story binder or bedtime ritual.

Are the letters suitable for sensitive children?

Very much so. The stories are gentle, warm, and sensory-safe, created with softness in mind.

Are the illustrations and stories made by hand?

Yes. All of the artwork is hand-drawn, and the writing is shaped from real-life experience and the ancestral teachings I continue to receive through my ongoing connection with Peru, along with a touch of imagination.
The letters are crafted slowly and intentionally, so children feel the warmth of human-made art and story.

How to Begin

Joining is simple.
Choose your subscription - monthly, yearly, or as a gift,  and your first story letter is delivered instantly.

A year of gentle story and wonder begins with one small step.