Storytime has to be the sweetest part of your bedtime routine. And what better way to help our children slow down, relax, and fall asleep easily than hugging a picture book?
These 16 tried-and-true bedtime reads are perfect for reading in the final moments before falling asleep – warm, soothing, and sometimes a little silly, for falling asleep with a smile.
Time for Bed by Mem Fox
All animals, from sheep to geese, snuggle up with their mothers. Gentle bedtime nursery rhymes are soothing like lullabies, beautifully illustrated that invite you to fall asleep in this bedtime book.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
This classic bedtime book soothes kids by saying goodnight and unmystifying every item in the bedroom, from chairs to photos of bears.
The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
You can’t go wrong with Sandra Boynton’s cardboard book. Here, she imagines a boat full of friendly animals that are going on a bedtime routine (having to brush their teeth!) before gently rocking to sleep.
Pajama Time by Sandra Boynton
Another of Boynton’s favourites turns bedtime into a singing and dancing party. But don’t worry, the afterparty takes place in a dreamland.
Goodnight Gorilla Peggy Lasman
In this bedtime book, a cunning gorilla steals the zookeeper’s keys and releases all the animals out of their cages. When the zookeeper’s wife spotted the animals dozing off in her bedroom, she gently brought them home so they could get a good night’s sleep.
Don’t Let the Pigeons Stay up Late! by Mo Williams
The reader is entrusted with a very important and difficult job – don’t let the pigeons stay up late! The cunning pigeons will use all kinds of excuses and delaying tactics, so it will not be easy, but it will be fun.
Good Night Mr. Panda by Steve Anthony
Patient Mr. Panda reminds his animal friends to follow their bedtime Xi habits, such as bathing and brushing their teeth. The sloth and skunk make excuses, but the happy lemur sticks to the plan. (Let’s all be like lemurs.)
Counting Kisses by Karen Katz
And what better way to say goodnight than with lots of kisses? Start counting down with “10 little kisses on your little toes” and learn about body parts and numbers with this sweet bedtime book.
Time for a Hug by Phillis Gershator and Mim Green
Do you prefer cuddles?busy bunnies’ day is full of cuddle breaks, especially before bed!
Good Night, Good Night Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
In this popular bedtime book about moving things, cement mixers and lifting trucks also have bedtime.
Good Night, Daniel Tiger by PBS Kids
Everyone’s favorite little tiger wants to play, but it’s time to sleep. Dad gently asked Daniel to bathe, clean his teeth, put on his pajamas, tell stories, and sing until he was too sleepy to protest anymore.
I Love You, Good Night by Jon Buller and Susan Scheed
Your child falls asleep to your loving affirmations, such as “I love you like a mouse loves cheese! I love you like a vine loves a tree!” in this baby bedtime book.
I’m Not Sleepy by Jonathan Allen
A little owl refuses to go to bed, claiming that he is not tired at all – despite all the evidence that this is not the case. Sound like someone you know?
Buddy’s Bedtime Battery by Christina Geist
A little boy imagines himself as a robot that loses power while sleeping. It was hard to stop jumping and beeping, but by “turning off” every part of his body, he could finally fall asleep.
Goodnight Yoga by Mariam Gates
For the little ones whose bodies are rocking, learning these gentle and poetic yoga poses Xi a great way to settle into bed.
How to Get Parents to Bed by Mylisa Larsen
A hilarious twist on a traditional bedtime story is when our children’s narrator puts her tired, haggard-looking parents to bed, which entails taking away their computers, magazines, TVs, and cell phones. “Stay calm. Don’t negotiate,” she advised. Sounds familiar.