This sponsored post is brought to you by Nuffnang and Disney Junior The Channel - all images are my own, unless otherwise specified. If you are interested in a product review or sponsored post content appearing on Breathe Gently, please email me.

As a primary school teacher, reading books to/with children has always been an important part of my life - and this is something which I continue to treasure now that I have a daughter of my own. Reading comes in many different forms, especially in today's world where our kids have access to so much more than traditional story books.

The Disney Junior channel is a big favourite in this household, and we've already been watching their newest series, The Book of Once Upon a Time, for the last few weeks.

Airing in the early evening, it fits in perfectly with Georgia's schedule - we watch the story of the day, snuggle in tight, sing the 'Land of Once Upon a Time' lullaby {sha la la la laaaaa} and then it's off upstairs and into bed. It's the perfect accompaniment to a bedtime routine!

Image via Disney Junior

So what IS Disney Junior's The Book of Once Upon a Time?

It's a locally produced interactive story-telling series, hosted by Australian actor Kate Mulvany that airs every weekday evening. The program encourages children to get creative with their imagination, showing bright illustrations & animations, combined with traditional story book imagery and character re-enactments.

It's perfect for those of us with little people who have a short attention span, because it's bright & colourful, uses characters that we are already familiar with, and the narrator always keeps things interesting.

The stories feature important learning components, such as early language and math skills, moral values, creative thinking & healthy lifestyles, with an emphasis on social and emotional development. They're all cleverly disguised within fun and exciting stories, so kids won't even know they're being exposed to all those hidden educational extras!

As I mentioned earlier, The Book of Once Upon a Time ensures that storytelling is an important part of children's bedtime rituals - so it quickly and easily becomes a part of the day that your little one will remember. And best of all, if you miss a story, you can find them online at the Disney Junior Story Room.

The stories that are featured in The Book of Once Upon a Time are also available as eBooks from the Disney Story Central app, which is available to download from iTunes.

There will be all new stories premiering in Book Week which begins Monday 24th August from 7:10pm on Disney Junior The Channel. Stories from this upcoming second season include “Snow White and the Great Jewel Hunt” as well as other exciting Disney stories from “Winnie the Pooh”, “Aladdin”, "Sleeping Beauty” and “Frozen”. 

Disney Junior The Channel is where magical storytelling comes to life! It's available in all Foxtel subscribing homes on channel 709, and easily accessible online.

                                                  Here's a sneak peek of one of the newest episodes from Season 2 - enjoy!