Bedtime Books for Kids
The kids and I will read just about any topic at bedtime but sometimes it is fun to just pull out good night books. For a long time my 2nd son would have me read Llama Llama Red Pajama over and over until he fell asleep. I was so ready for him to want to read another book. But I do cherish the memories we made and the story I could probably tell you by heart. We have since moved on to read more variety at night but that book is still a favorite that we read. On a good night to me, we read it once, lol. So with bedtime books on my mind I set out to create a list of some of our favorites and wish list titles too.
Bedtime Books for Kids
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Book descriptions are from authors via amazon.
It’s time to sleep, it’s time to sleep,
the fishes croon in waters deep.
The songbirds sing in trees above,
“It’s time to sleep, my love, my love.”
As children prepare for bed, the world around them is also settling down for the night. Animals who live in the jungle, the forest, the sea—all whisper to their babies a soft refrain: It’s time to sleep, my love.
As comforting as a soft blanket and warm as a goodnight hug, Eric Metaxas’s lullaby is lovingly brought to life by bestselling artist Nancy Tillman (On the Night You Were Born) , whose illustrations celebrate the wonders of the natural world, and the bonds of family.
In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room–to the picture of the three little bears sitting in chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one–he says goodnight.
In this classic of modern children’s literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.
“Guess how much I love you,” says Little Nutbrown Hare. Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him: as wide as he can reach and as far as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare, who can reach farther and hop higher, loves him back just as much. Well then Little Nutbrown Hare loves him right up to the moon, but that’s just halfway to Big Nutbrown Hare’s love for him.
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they’ll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play! With irresistible artwork by best-selling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld and sweet, rhyming text, this book will have truck lovers of all ages begging for more.
Steam Train, Dream Train
The team behind the #1 New York Times bestseller Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site returns with another fabulous book for bedtime! The dream train pulls into the station, and one by one the train cars are loaded: polar bears pack the reefer car with ice cream, elephants fill the tanker cars with paints, tortoises stock the auto rack with race cars, bouncy kangaroos stuff the hopper car with balls. Sweet and silly dreams are guaranteed for any budding train enthusiasts!
Good Night, Gorilla
Good night, Gorilla.
Good night, Elephant.
It’s bedtime at the zoo, and all the animals are going to sleep. Or are they? Who’s that short, furry guy with the key in his hand and the mischievous grin?
Good night, Giraffe.
Good night, Hyena.
Sneak along behind the zookeeper’s back, and see who gets the last laugh in this riotous good-night romp.
Just Go to Bed (Little Critter) (Pictureback(R))
One of the classic Little Critter picture book titles by Mercer Mayer, this simple story shows our preschool hero resisting his father’s efforts to get him ready for bed. By the end of the book Little Critter’s understanding father has finally succeeded in moving his energetic, imaginative son through bathtime and pyjamatime into sleeptime.
Darkness is falling everywhere and little ones are getting sleepy, feeling cozy, and being tucked in. It’s time for a wide yawn, a big hug, and a snuggle under the covers–sleep tight! “Working beautifully with the soothingly repetitive text, each painting conveys a warm feeling of safety and affection.”–School Library Journal
Getting ready for sleep is tons of fun in this special anniversary edition of a Sandra Boynton classic.
The sun has set not long ago.
Now everybody goes below
to take a bath in one big tub
with soap all over—SCRUB SCRUB SCRUB!
This classic bedtime story is just right for winding down the day as a joyful, silly group of animals scrub scrub scrub in the tub, brush and brush and brush their teeth, and finally rock and rock and rock to sleep.
How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?
In a few simple lines of verse on each spread, fathers and mothers are ready to put their youngsters to bed. But in this book, the youngsters are a wide variety of dinosaurs. And how do dinosaurs say good night?
Filled with wonderful detail and humor, children and their parents will love the expressions and antics of the eleven different dinosaur children depicted here, and each species is spelled out somewhere in the young dinosaur’s bedroom. In the end, young dinosaurs behave a lot like people do: They give a big kiss, turn out the light, tuck in their tails, and whisper “good night.”
Llama, Llama red pajama
waiting, waiting for his mama.
Mama isn’t coming yet.
Baby Llama starts to fret.
In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama! Tucked into bed by his mama, Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when she goes downstairs, and his soft whimpers turn to hollers when she doesn’t come right back. But just in time, Mama returns to set things right. Children will relate to Baby Llama’s need for comfort, as much as parents will appreciate Mama Llama’s reassuring message.
Find more children’s book list here.
About The Author
Jaime
Hi! I am Jaime, mama to three high energy boys. With three boys, life never slows down, but I wouldn't have it any other way! We love creating, learning, and crafting together and we can turn anything into an adventure.