These bedtime stories are the perfect reading buddy for a calming bedtime routine.
Again! by Emily Gravett (Preschool)
A young dragon doesn’t want to go to bed. Instead, he wants his mom to read him his favorite story… over and over and over again. But mama dragon is getting awful tired herself and a little bit frustrated that her young dragon won’t go to sleep (and the young dragon is frustrated that mom won’t keep re-reading his book). When the young dragon has a tantrum it proves to be a little dangerous, because dragons breathe fire. This book has detailed illustrations that will delight young and old dragons alike (and don’t forget to look at the inside of the covers!). ▸ Get it at the Library
Sleepyheads by Sandra J. Howatt (Infant)
In this book, the reader looks for all the wild animals asleep in the trees, woods and river and all the pets asleep in the house. But the child’s bed is empty. Where could they be? With simple, sweet text and gently shaded illustrations, this book will lull little ones right off to dreamland. ▸ Get it at the Library
How to Put Your Parents to Bed by Mylisa Larsen (Preschool)
Of course we all know that our little ones aren’t tired at bedtime (that pillow fort isn’t going to build itself after all), but goodness knows that we grownups could use a break. In this story, the narrator gently encourages a child to put her parents to bed: “Now, some parents become unruly when faced with actually getting in bed. Tiny things upset them … Remain calm. Do not negotiate. It’s time for bed.” Will she succeed? You’ll have to read and find out. ▸ Get it at the Library
Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy by Jan Thomas (Toddler, Preschool)
It’s nighttime on the range and the brave cowboy is singing a lullaby to his cattle but he keeps getting spooked and interrupting his song. The cows try their best to calm and reassure the cowboy… most of the time. The text in this book is all presented in speech bubbles, with size and color changing depending on tone. This type of print is called “salient print” and it helps grow your child’s print awareness skills, which will help them later when they learn to read. ▸ Get it at the Library
I Would Tuck You In by Sarah Asper-Smith (Toddler)
How far would a parent go for their child? To the ends of the earth and back. In this story, different Alaska and Pacific Northwest animals share all of the things that they would do for their babies. The text offers a comforting reassurance of love and protection, while at the same time teaching some animals facts. ▸ Get it at the Library
These resources were recommended by Samantha Blanquart, an Early Literacy Outreach Librarian with Ready to Read Resource Center. Visit their website for more info about early literacy or to check out one of their reading kits for young children.
Imagination Library Picks:
Night-Night, Forest Friends by Annie Bach (Infant)
“The sun is low, the sky is red. Our forest friends all head to bed.” With gently rhyming text, follow along as all the cuddly creatures of the forest find their way to sleep with their families. ▸ Get it at the Library
Goodnight Numbers by Danica McKellar (Preschool)
This deceptively simple bedtime book, the first in the McKellar Math line, gives your child the building blocks for math success. As children say goodnight to the objects all around them—three wheels on a tricycle, four legs on a cat—they will connect with the real numbers in their world while creating cuddly memories, night after night. ▸ Get it at the Library
Little Sleepyhead by Elizabeth McPike (Toddler, Preschool)
By the end of a busy day, little knees are tired from crawling, little arms are tired from stretching–even little lips are tired from blowing kisses. But with the help of gentle verse, and art as sweet as a bedtime lullaby, tired little eyes will quickly give way to sleep. ▸ Get it at the Library
I Just Want to Say Good Night by Rachel Isadora (Preschool)
The sun has set and the moon is rising, and that means it’s bedtime. But not if Lala has a say—because she’s not ready to go to sleep! First she needs to say good night to the cat. And the goat. And the chickens. And, and, and . . . Lala’s adorable stalling strategy will ring true for all parents whose little ones aren’t ready to say goodbye to the day—and all will appreciate the wonderful culmination to the bedtime ritual. ▸ Get it at the Library
