It’s bedtime, and your little one is exhausted from a busy day. But before they can drift off to sleep, there’s one last thing to do: pick out a bedtime story. Finding the perfect book can be tricky, but we’ve got you covered. Here is an ultimate list of the best bedtime books for young kids and toddlers, guaranteed to help them wind down and fall asleep peacefully. So tuck your little one in, grab a book, and enjoy some quality bonding time before lights out.
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DREAM ANIMALS : A BEDTIME JOURNEY
By Emily Winfield Martin
With its lush illustrations and sumptuous colors, this book will make a kid feel like their dreams are worth exploring. The soothing tone creates a feeling that is perfect for bedtime stories as it provides endless possibilities to find something new in each page turn-around!
DON’T LET THE PIGEON STAY UP LATE !
By Mo Willems
The book is about a pigeon who is always looking for excuses to stay up late and wants to go on all sorts of crazy adventures. The best part is, the pigeon learns his lesson in the end and goes to bed on time! This is a really fun book that will keep kids entertained from start to finish. I highly recommend it!
THE GOING TO BED BOOK
By Sandra Boynton
What is your kids’ bedtime routine like? Do you have some activities to help them wind down from a long day and get into their pajamas. The “Going-To Bed Book” is an adorable book about animal friends who go through a nightly routine to get ready for sleep, such as scrubbing themselves while taking a bath or brushing their teeth before rocking themselves to sleep.
BEDTIME KISS FOR LITTLE FISH
By Lorie Ann Grover and Debra Ziss
Swim up to bedtime with this fun, foil-stamped board book! Filled will calm text and colorful illustrations that are perfect for little fish who need some sweet snoozing. this boardbook is sure to put you right into dreamland!
Get ready for bed with the shark and octopus, and let the ocean soothe you to sleep.
GOODNIGHT, STINKY FACE
By Lisa McCourt and Cyd Moore
The storybook is a charming bedtime story where you will find adventure, chuckles, and even sleep. Stinky Face is constantly asking lots of questions, and his mother is always there to answer them! He struggles to sleep in his own bed once more and asks if he can sleep with her. After all, the water from the leaky faucet may wash him away at any time! Mama, on the other hand, knows how to reassure her Stinky Face that she’s right there with him, even when he’s sleeping.
I LOVE YOU NIGHT AND DAY
By Smriti Prasadam-Halls and Alison Brown
I Love You Night and Day is a warm and soothing book that reminds children that their parents or guardians love them at all times.
GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT
By Mem Fox and Judy Horacek
Bonnie and Ben’s favorite babysitter tells them nursery rhymes as they go to sleep, such as “It’s raining! It’s pouring! The old man is snoring”; “This little piggy went to market”; and others. They enjoy the stories so much that they don’t want to go to sleep; they want to hear each one again. As a result, the babysitter tells them new nursery rhymes until, ultimately, all three fall fast asleep.
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bedtime BOARD BOOKS
BELLY BUTTON BOOK
By Sandra Boynton
The Belly Button Book is an adorable addition to the bedtime Board series. With Sandra Boynton’s unique illustrations and joyful rhyming text, every page will captivate you with its playful atmosphere!
ON THE NIGHT YOU WERE BORN
By Nancy Tillman
What a special feeling to know that your child is loved and valued by you. You should read this book because it will make their day, or maybe even yours! ‘On the Night You Were Born’ is a book that speaks volumes to parents and children. The message conveyed within these pages, is one of love from a parent to a child that celebrates them and their uniqueness in this world – it’ll make your heart swoon!
GOOD NIGHT, WORLD
By Willa Perlman and Carolyn Fisher
This book has a magical way of taking children on an adventure to bid good night to the world’s natural wonders. With each page turning, they are taken to see what is left behind at nightfall as all of these amazing structures light up with sunset’s glory!
TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR : A LIGHT UP BEDTIME BOOK
By Florence Weiser
The familiar lullaby, “twinkle twinkle little star” is now more enchanting than ever. With a new ending this sweet song will help encourage your child’s sleep in no time! This board book has twinkling lights that make each page glow as you read and relax with your little one before bedtime. Florence Weiser has created soft illustrations depicting animal babies getting ready for bed — instilling a relaxing nighttime ambiance.
GOODNIGHT, I LOVE YOU
By Caroline Jayne Church
It’s a short and lovely bedtime book that discusses bedtime routine like bath time, brushing teeth, and story time. The illustrations are outrageously cute and just simple enough for small children to enjoy. This is a fantastic book for toddlers.
HUG TIME
By Patrick McDonnell
Once there was a kitten so full of love that he wanted to hug the whole world! Jules the kitten knows that hugs can make the world a happier place. As a result, he writes a Hug To-Do List, which places endangered species at the top, and he sets to travel the globe to show all animals that someone cares. Jules shows us that a hug is the simplest–but the kindest–gift we can give, whether it is in Africa, the North Pole, or right in the middle of our own backyard. As a year-round gift, this joyous, rhyming story about sharing love has a subtle environmental theme.
IT’S TIME TO SLEEP MY LOVE
By Nancy Tillman and Eric Metaxas
While children prepare for bedtime, the world around them also winds down for the night. Across the jungles, forests, and seas we can hear whispers coming from animals to their babies: “It’s time to sleep, my love.”. This charming book celebrates both the wonders of nature and the ties that bind families.
I TOOK THE MOON FOR A WALK
By Carolyn Curtis and Alison Jay
In the wee hours of the night, when the sun has set and everyone else has gone to sleep, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure with his friend the Moon. A lyrical verse recounts their unusual journey, making an enchanting tale celebrating the strength and beauty of the world at night.
LITTLE UNICORN ( TEN MINUTES TO BED )
By Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton
Twinkle is about to embark on an exciting new adventure as she runs through the forest. However, will she be able to make it to bed on time? This enchanting novel takes the reader on a journey from vibrant beginning to tender ending with a ten-minute countdown to bed. This beautifully illustrated picture book is just the right length for lulling young children to sleep.
NIGHT MONKEY, DAY MONKEY
By Julia Donaldson
This heartwarming rhyming story about friendship and differences is ideal for story time. The story is about two monkeys, Night Monkey and the Day Monkey, who don’t get along very well. But when they spend some time each other’s world, they become friends.
SWEET DREAMS MOONBEAMS
By Sara Conway
As the animals of the forest prepare to sleep quietly, the fancy colors of the moon’s rays fill every page of this book. The beautiful illustrations and three-dimensional design on the moon picture add a special touch that will appeal to readers of all ages. Sweet Dreams Moonbeams is the perfect bedtime read, with playful tunes and cute forest creatures.
TEN TINY TOES
By Caroline Jayne Church
This book takes the classic HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES, AND TOES nursery rhyme and gives it a cheerful twist. Little kids will be inspired by TEN TINY TOES as they discover their “mouths, ears, eyes, noses, and the love that grows and grows.”
GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT CONSTRUCTION SITE
By Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld
This construction book for kids is sure to become a bedtime favorite among truck enthusiast kids everywhere, thanks to its vivid illustrations and delightful rhyming text. Even the most ardent readers will want to turn off the engine, rest, and fall asleep with this light, sweet story.
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So, if you’re looking for some great bedtime story books to read to your toddler, look no further. We’ve compiled some of the best books for kids out there that are sure to help them drift off into slumber with a smile on their face.. And don’t forget – reading together is a great way to bond with your child! Have you read any of these books before? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below.
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