The Sleeping World: Nestling in a Tree Hollow with a Red Panda

By: Mumble Media, Audible Sleep

Narrated by: Cynthia Kimola

Wind down by escaping into nature. Part soundscape and part bedtime story, The Sleeping World is an intimate journey through ecologies around the world.

Red pandas have thick bushy ringed tails like raccoons, but they aren’t related to panda bears or raccoons—in fact, they have no close relatives anywhere on Earth. In this episode, we wander the Himalayas with a red panda and her cubs as they munch on bamboo, practice walking in the treetops, and settle in to nap together as the first snowfall of the year covers their forest home.

This is the world in its natural state, defined by seasons, routines, and cycles. By the time this red panda is ready to curl up with her tail wrapped around her like a blanket, you’ll be ready to curl up too.

Produced by Audible and Mumble Media
Written by Sarah Craig
Narrated by Cynthia Kimola
Executive Producers for Mumble Media: Cara Ehlenfeldt and Jake Young
Executive Producer for Audible: Anna Stitt
Sound Design and Mix: Mumble Media
Additional Recordings: Dr. Axel Gebauer
The Mumble Media team is Jaymeson Catsouphes, Cara Ehlenfeldt, Liz Mak, Lee Mengistu, David Tatasciore, Renée Vargas, Jake Young, and Sharif Youssef
Fact-Checker: Andrea López-Cruzado
Head of Creative Development: Kate Navin
Head of Audible Originals, North America: Marshall Lewy
Chief Content Officer: Rachel Ghiazza

©2025 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2026 Audible Originals, LLC.

I’m sleepy

This puts me to sleep every time. I listen to all the sleeping world books and just can’t wait for the newest ones to be released! Very soothing voice with a foreign accent.

Put my Passenger to Sleep

Absolutely fantastic! Calming and interesting. I loved it and my car passenger right to sleep. Looking forward to many more!

Gentle, natural world

Loved learning about animals in their natural habitat. Great way to drift off to sleep.

Great voice good music

Story is great. I always learn something. Helps me go to sleep.l love the background music and sounds it’s like watching a movie with your eyes closed.

Enjoying "The Sleeping World"

I started with the Fennec Fox in this "The Sleeping World" series and was surprised at what it was. I wasn't really sure what to expect from this series but for those that are wondering, you get about 30-40 minutes of information about the chosen animal, where they live, their lifestyle, etc. Then the last 10 or so minutes are soundscape noises (such as rain or ocean waves) that mimic sounds from the animals habitat.

The narrator isn't my favorite, but she does have an overall very calming voice so it's very peaceful to listen to.

My favorite part about these is definitely all the facts that I've learned about various animals.

Since these are included in my Audible membership, I definitely plan to listen to all of them. I love to listen to them when I'm on a walk because they are the perfect amount of time and a good distraction from potentially getting bored.

They might not be everyone's cup of tea but I definitely think people should give one a go and see if they like it!