Read Me a Bedtime Story

Reading bedtime stories is a ritual in our house.  Each of my boys picked out three books they would like to have read to them when they were young.  The book topics varied, but we often read books that are about bedtime itself.  Later, my kids moved into listening to chapter books too.

There are so many great books for kids on the market and most of them make good bedtime stories.  The great thing about this list is that they are all about bedtime and they start the winding down process that gets kids in the mood to close their eyes for the night.

The next time your child says, “Read me a bedtime story!”  try pulling out one of these recommended titles!

Bedtime Stories

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The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton is a board book great for the little ones.  The sun has set and now it’s time to prepare for bed.  Follow the animals on the boat as they prepare for bedtime.

I adore Mem Fox.  Her board book, Time for Bed, is a sweet, soft read perfect for reading right before you tuck your child in for the night.

*For more board books and picture books perfect for babies and toddlers, visit my entire list.—>Bedtime Stories for Babies and Toddlers

We gave Kisses for Daddy by Frances Watt to my husband on his first Father’s Day.  It is a sweet story of a little bear who doesn’t want to give his Daddy a good night kiss.  Well, Daddy has playful ways to try to convince his son to give him a kiss. 

Where’s Tim’s Ted?  It’s Time for Bed by Ian Whybrow is the story of Tim who can’t possibly go to sleep without his missing pink Ted. With a flashlight in hand, he heads out to the farm to search for his missing Ted.  Which pink farm animal has Tim’s Ted?  My boys have requested this one several times since we got the book.

My boys received Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton when they were babies and it is an all-time favorite bedtime read in our house. Russell is having a hard time falling asleep.  He tries all sorts of things to fall asleep.  Finally, when he tries counting sheep, he drifts off into slumberland.

Another popular book in our house is I Love You Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt.  It is about the unconditional love a mom has for her child even when that child bombards her with a ton of questions at bedtime.

Good Night, Good Night Construction Site by Sherry Duskey Rinker is a fun nighttime read for truck lovers.  All of the trucks at the construction site prepare for sleep as the building site closes for the night.

It is Night by Phyllis Rowand  is the story of a little girl who says goodnight to a variety of animals, dolls, and even a train as she determines the best place for each to sleep.  But wait, in a surprise ending, we find out that they are all her toys and the perfect spot they belong is right next to her in her own bed.

I love Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan.  It’s a story of all the things that go on at night in the animal world.  It’s a great read for kids who wonder what goes on outside as they sleep.

Also about owls is Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Little Hoot wants to go to bed and his parents won’t let him.  Owls don’t sleep at night!  This is a beautiful book that we’ve read countless times.

There’s a Dinosaur on the 13th Floor by Wade Bradford is the story of Mr. Snore who checks into The Sharemore Hotel looking for a good night’s sleep.  But, each room he moves to has some sort of problem that keeps him from getting that much-needed rest.

Star Fishing by Sang-Keun Kim lets us imagine that we aren’t the only ones who can’t fall asleep at night. Sit on the moon and fish for other friends who are awake at night. A soft, sweet, nighttime read.

Time for Bed, Old House by Janet Costa Bates is a beautiful story about taking a different perspective on the “spooky” sounds of an old house at night. A young boy and his grandfather get the house ready for bed.

Printable Book List of Bedtime Books

Grab a printable copy of the book list shared above. 

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what book you are reading to kids.  You could read a picture book, chapter book, comic book, or a magazine; what is important is that you are reading to your child every night.  Not only will you be creating beautiful memories, but you will be helping to grow your child into a reader. We just want our kids to say, “Read me a bedtime story!” every night.

Is your child interested in a certain topic?  I have over 200 book lists on topics from animals to women in history.  Check out the whole list.—> Book Lists for Kids