Twinkle, Twinkle, Time for Bed

The show's opening theme.

### Theme song

"What time is it when you put together songs, crafts, stories, games, and sprinkle in some sparkly stardust? That's right, it's bedtime!"— Nadella at the end of each episode

**Twinkle, Twinkle, Time for Bed** is a live-action children's series on The Kiddie Channel, created by Sara Linton and Jeffrey Tolliver.

Every night during this show, a different theme is explored, such as sharing, imagination and family. Host Nadella helps children wind down after a busy day along with Night Light, the lovable and lively stuffed puppet, and Little Dreamer, an enchanting star-shaped firefly puppet. Each episode of *Twinkle, Twinkle, Time for Bed* features songs, games, stories, stretching exercises, and crafts.

The show's bedtime routine involves brushing teeth, brushing hair, singing the show's theme song as a quiet lullaby, cuddling with each other, and a kiss goodnight.

In addition to the music-box tune, the opening theme features Night Light and Little Dreamer in 2d animation with a needle-and-thread art style, which also includes three multicolored owls named Bo-Bo, Beale, and Bonetta. The show's success lies in its pair of live-action hosts, who are as convincing as their cartoon counterparts. But if the public learned anything else, it might surprise them.

## Description from website

*Why is this show so important, you ask? Just as you might send a good morning wish, our host Nadella Sandecker lets your little ones know that she's thinking of them even as she's settling in for the night. And let's be honest, what preschooler doesn't love going to bed with a smile on their face, knowing that someone out there cherishes them and wishes them sweet dreams? Trust us, it's worth the extra few minutes before bed to watch this soothing Kiddie series.*

## Continuations

Despite *Twinkle, Twinkle, Time for Bed*'s cancellation, the show now has an animated version on Kiddie Plus in the form of *Twinkling with the Stars*, which serves as a spinoff and prequel, detailing Nadella's life as a child.

Sara Linton and Jeffrey Tolliver, the creators of the original series, are executive producers for *Twinkling with the Stars* and voice Nadella's parents. Night Light and Little Dreamer are also present in the show.

## Segments

1. **Moonbeam Box** - The first segment involves Nadella and Night Light looking inside their Moonbeam Box to discover the episode's theme. Added in season 2.
2. **Night Time Sky** - This segment involves many different constellations. Nadella and Night Light look at the night sky with their telescope.
3. **Little Dreamer, Light Up Bright!** *-* The next segment features an animated game resembling hide-and-seek in which Little Dreamer, a firefly puppet, will light up and viewers need to guess where she is.
4. **Crafting Activity** - This segment involves a different craft or art project based on the episode's theme.
5. **Storytime** - Nadella will read her kids a story, also based on a certain theme. Added only in episodes where Nadella's children are featured.
6. **Nadella and Night Light's Early Life** - In these segments, Nadella would read Night Light (and occasionally her kids) stories of her childhood experiences. Added in season 5.
7. **Bedtime Routines** - This segment involves brushing teeth and washing your face through song and dance, and Night Light would go to sleep.
8. **Lights Out!** - The final segment involves Night Light being reluctant about going to bed so he can get plenty of rest when he's ready for tomorrow. He says, "I'm not ready to go to sleep yet". But Nadella tells him that it's time for bed and "dream about the wonderful adventures that you can have tomorrow". In the end, Night Light is able to say goodnight, and he goes to sleep. Then after Nadella tucks him into bed, she quietly sings the theme song and goes to sleep herself.

## Characters

### Main

* **Nadella** (played by Sara Linton) is the longest-running host of the show. She believes that rest and relaxation are the cornerstones to wellness, and tries to help everyone get their required sleep by bestowing good dreams and happy thoughts. Nadella soon reappears as an animated character in the spin-off *Twinkling with the Stars*.
* **Night Light** (voiced by Stacia Newcomb) is a yellow stuffed toy puppet who served as the co-host and the child character. He often enjoys acting out bedtime routines such as reading a bedtime story or singing a lullaby. In some episodes, Night Light did not want to go to sleep at bedtime and needed some coaxing from Nadella. He soon returned in *Twinkling with the Stars* as an animated character.
* **Little Dreamer** is a star-shaped firefly. She is mostly featured in games, such as *Little Dreamer, Light Up Bright*; in this game, she will usually hide behind objects (as though they are illuminated by a firefly's light) and then viewers will guess where she is hiding. She was originally depicted as a glowing finger puppet, but she later becomes a CGI character. She soon returned in *Twinkling with the Stars* as an animated character.
* **Bo-Bo and The Little Brittle Owls** are three multicolored owls named Bo-Bo, Beale, and Bonetta. They are referential to "BuBu and the Little Owls" and soon returned in *Twinkling with the Stars* for the opening intro.

### Supporting

* **Melania** (played by Carly Velasquez) is Nadella's energetic and artistic daughter who holds up finger puppets and paper cut-outs. She is very outgoing and often sings upbeat dance songs. When Little Dreamer started to glow, Melania took her out to let her fly around the garden. Melania hosted 6 episodes and continued to appear as a recurring character in later seasons.
* **Mason** (played by Maller Mattarusky) is Nadella's toddler son and Melania's younger brother. He continued to appear as a recurring character in later seasons.
* **Leonardo** (played by Jeffrey Tolliver) is a calm and level-headed gardener who looked after various flowers. He often taught the viewers about different flowers and how to plant them. He also took care of a firefly named Little Dreamer, who liked to sleep in Leonardo's pocket. Leonardo hosted 5 episodes and continued to appear as a recurring character in later seasons.