Printable coloring story · Ages 2–5
The Bremen Town Musicians
Four aging animals leave hard work behind, outwit robbers with one great sound, and find a safe home together.
An old donkey leaves his hard work to seek a new life as a musician in Bremen. He joins an old dog, an old cat, and an old rooster. At a cottage they frighten robbers away with one combined noise, eat the supper left behind, and make the cottage their new home.
A 10-page story to read, color, and keep
Read, color, learn
Ten little scenes to read and color.
Read one short sentence, color the scene, then pause for the little fact and question. The pages follow the story in order.
- 01Page 1
Page 1
Dapple Leaves the Farm
Dapple the old donkey leaves his hard work and sets off to seek a new life as a musician in Bremen.
Little factDonkeys are strong animals that can carry loads and walk long distances.
Talk together: What is Dapple carrying for his new musical life?
- 02Page 2
Page 2
Bram Joins Dapple
On the road, Dapple meets old Bram, a dog no longer strong enough for hard work, and invites him to join the musical journey.
Little factDogs use their ears and noses to notice what is happening around them.
Talk together: Which friend joins Dapple on the road?
- 03Page 3
Page 3
Mew Joins the Journey
Dapple and Bram meet Mew, an old cat who is tired of farm work, and invite her to join.
Little factA cat's whiskers help it sense nearby spaces and objects.
Talk together: Can you find Mew's striped tail?
- 04Page 4
Page 4
Sunny Joins the Band
They meet Sunny, an old rooster whose workday is ending, and invite him to travel with them.
Little factRoosters use calls to communicate with other chickens.
Talk together: Which friend can make a bright rooster call?
- 05Page 5
Page 5
The Four Travel Together
The four animals travel together toward Bremen, carrying their simple instruments and helping one another along the road.
Little factA group can stay together more easily when its members watch the same path.
Talk together: Can you count the four travelers?
- 06Page 6
Page 6
A Cottage at Dusk
At dusk they find a cottage with robbers inside and quietly watch the window.
Little factDusk is the time when daylight fades and night begins.
Talk together: What do the four animals see inside the cottage?
- 07Page 7
Page 7
One Great Combined Noise
They stack up by the window and make one great combined noise with brays, barks, meows, and a crow.
Little factDifferent voices and instruments can be heard together as one loud sound.
Talk together: Can you find all four musicians in the stack?
- 08Page 8
Page 8
The Robbers Run Away
The robbers flee from the frightening animal shapes and sounds, leaving the cottage behind.
Little factAn unfamiliar loud sound can startle an animal or a person.
Talk together: Which way are the robbers running?
- 09Page 9
Page 9
Supper in the Cottage
The animals enter the cottage, eat the robbers' supper, and settle safely inside.
Little factA meal gives animals energy after a long journey.
Talk together: Where are the four musicians resting after supper?
- 10Page 10
Page 10
The Cottage Becomes Their Home
The four musicians make the cottage their new home; they have found a safe place to live and play together.
Little factA shelter protects animals from weather and gives them a place to rest.
Talk together: What safe place becomes the musicians' new home?
Free story book
Print the whole story for a coloring afternoon.
Download all 10 uncolored pages, then read each tiny fact as your child colors from beginning to end.
10 pages · free PDF
A little more room to create
Bring the coloring moment into Magical Colors.
Pick a picture, color with forgiving tools, hear the object name, and keep progress on the device.