16 Bedtime Books to Lull Your Little One to Sleep
Storytime has to be the sweetest part of the bedtime routine. What’s better than cuddling up with a picture book that helps our little ones slow down, relax and ease into dreamland?
These 16 tried-and-true bedtime books are perfect for those last moments before drifting off to sleep—warm, soothing and sometimes silly, for going to bed with a smile on your face.
Time for Bed by Mem Fox
All the animals, from sheep to geese, are snuggling down with their mamas. Tender bedtime rhymes soothe like a lullaby and the beautiful illustrations are an invitation to sleep in this bedtime book.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
This classic bedtime book comforts kids by saying goodnight to—and demystifying—each object in the bedroom, from chairs to a picture of bears.
The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
You can’t go wrong with a Sandra Boynton board book. Here, she imagines a boat full of friendly animals going about their bedtime routines (gotta brush those teeth!) before rocking gently to sleep.
Pajama Time by Sandra Boynton
Another Boynton favorite turns bedtime into a party complete with song and dance moves. But don’t worry, the after-party takes place in dreamland.
Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
In this bedtime book, a tricky gorilla steals the zookeeper’s keys and lets all the animals out of their cages. When the zookeeper’s wife discovers the animals napping in her bedroom, she gently leads them home so they can all get a good night’s sleep.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay up Late! by Mo Willems
The reader is entrusted with a very important and difficult job—don’t let the pigeon stay up late! The crafty pigeon will use every excuse and stall tactic, so it won’t be easy, but it will be funny.
Good Night Mr. Panda by Steve Antony
Patient Mr. Panda reminds his animal friends to follow the steps of their bedtime routines, like taking a bath and brushing teeth. Sloth and skunk make excuses, but cheerful Lemur sticks to the plan. (Let’s all be like Lemur.)
Counting Kisses by Karen Katz
What better way is there to say goodnight than with tons of kisses? Count down from “10 little kisses on teeny tiny toes” and learn body parts and numbers along the way with this sweet bedtime book.
Time for a Hug by Phillis Gershator and Mim Green
Are you more of a hugger? This day in-the-life of a busy bunny is chock full of hug breaks, especially at bedtime!
Good Night, Good Night Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Cement mixers and crane trucks have bedtimes too in this popular bedtime book about things that go.
Good Night, Daniel Tiger by PBS Kids
Everyone’s favorite toddler tiger wants to play, but it’s time for bed. Dad gently moves Daniel through bath, teeth, PJ’s, story and a song until he’s too sleepy to protest anymore.
I Love You, Good Night by Jon Buller and Susan Schade
Your little one falls asleep to the sound of your loving affirmations, like “I love you like mice love cheese! I love you like vines love trees!” in this bedtime book for babies.
I’m Not Sleepy by Jonathan Allen
A little owl resists bedtime, claiming he’s not remotely tired—despite all evidence to the contrary. Sound like anyone you know?
Buddy’s Bedtime Battery by Christina Geist
A little boy imagines himself as a robot powering down at bedtime. It’s hard to stop jumping and beeping, but by “turning off” each body part, he can finally achieve sleep.
Goodnight Yoga by Mariam Gates
For littles with the wiggles, learning these gentle and poetically expressed yoga poses is a great way to settle in for bed.
How to Put Your Parents to Bed by Mylisa Larsen
A hilarious twist on the traditional bedtime story has our child narrator sending her exhausted and haggard looking parents to bed, which requires taking away their computers, magazines, TV and cell phones. “Remain calm. Do not negotiate,” she advises. Sounds familiar.
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