Favorite Bedtime Stories Every Home Library Should Have

Our kid’s bedtime was always so special. I loved our bedtime routine.  I think healthy bedtime routines are so great for kids. We would get in our PJs, drink, and have some reading-aloud time before we got snug in our beds. I have such beautiful times reading their favorites over and over! You know how little ones are with their favorite books, they NEVER get tired of them. Bedtime Reading is the best. It didn’t take long before my husband and I was memorizing them.

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Favorite Bedtime Stories

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Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

This is such a classic and the perfect bedtime story.  It is so simple but captivating.  This book has beautiful illustrations. 

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Not all moms love rhyming books but I do and this one is so wonderful with the rhymes and the creative artwork.  This book has a calming message that all moms will appreciate.

Good Night Gorilla by Peggy rathmann

Such a fun book. It’s simple and interactive. This book is meant to have your child interact with each page by identifying the animals, finding the “hidden” balloon on each page that gets smaller and smaller as it floats farther into the sky, as well as identifying the moon on each page, and the cute mouse who is determined to take his new found banana with him through each page to the Zoo keepers home. This is a delightful book!

The Goodnight Train by June Sobel

This story is beautiful.  I love the detailed art and the gentle rhythm of the story. Kids love asking questions during this one. With soothing, lyrical words and colorful illustrations, June Sobel and Laura Huliska-Beith have created a nighttime fantasy that’s guaranteed to make even the most resistant sleeper snuggle up tight.

The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon stone

I love this classic one from my childhood.  Lovable, furry old Grover is distressed to learn that there’s a monster at the end of this book! He begs readers not to turn the pages, but of course, kids feel they just have to see this monster for themselves. Grover is astonished–and toddlers will be delighted–to discover who is the monster at the end of the book!

The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton 

I love how this classic bedtime book shares how winding down is a part of the day and it helps us get ready for bed.  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. Don’t we all want to go to sleep that way?

Baby Llama by Chronicle books

Babies love grabbing the puppets on this one and it’s just a great way to introduce babies to books. This is a perfect gift for a baby shower or mama-to-be!

Brown Bear Brown Bear, What do you see? by bill martin jr.

Another Eric Carle Book and truly you can’t go wrong with any of Carle’s books for bedtime.  Toddlers love this book! Great book for teaching basic animals and practicing animal sounds together.

Guess How Much I love you by Sam McBratney 

The perfect book for little hands to turn pages.  The pages are sturdy and strong.  This book is so sweet and endearing and is such a wonderful reminder to your children how much they are loved. A great message to go to sleep with.

Going to Sleep on the Farm by Wendy Cheyette Lewison

This is such a sweet story and I have to say one of my all-time favorites and highly underrated in my opinion. This book asks the question how does a cow go to sleep tell me how, how does a cow go to sleep?  Then it answers in a rhyme and goes to the next farm animal until it gets to the child.  How do you go to sleep?  It is just beautiful and I love every minute of it.  This was always my favorite to read.

I love you to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth

Another wonderful message of a parent’s love for a child is in this book and is very sweet.  It is also one of those books that are great for traveling and fit perfectly in a diaper bag or purse for on-the-go.  Another great one for a baby shower gift.

Just in Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado

I LOVE this book! A great choice for a bedtime story.  Max Lucado is a wonderful writer and it comes through in this book.  It is a story of God’s love through all their experiences—including during hard times such as being afraid of the dark or being bullied—and gives assurance that the parent was there when they were first born and will be with them even in heaven. Of course, this book has a strong Christian message, and not everyone shares the same beliefs, if you do share them, you will love this one.

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo by Kevin lewis

This is a fantastic book that my oldest loved so much! A rhyming story tells about a freight train’s day, from loading freight in the morning to retiring to the roundhouse after the day’s work is done. This was one my husband and I had memorized.

Time for Bed by mem fox

The text in this book is simple and sweet and just the right length for bedtime.  The book has gorgeous artwork. The illustrations have such great detail they make the animals look vibrant and alive!  I love the rhyming in this one.

Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker

If you have kids that love construction sites and trucks this is for them. 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!

Just Go to Bed (Little Critter) by Mercer Mayer

My kids loved the Little Critter Books and this one is so fun!  Little Critter is not looking forward to bedtime. Whether it’s time for him to stop playing and take a bath, or making a fuss about getting into his jammies, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A great way to introduce children to their very own bedtime routine!

The Very Noisy Night by Diana Hendry

This was my daughter’s favorite bedtime story!  She is 18 now and still keeps this on her bookcase wanting it for her future kids.  Little Mouse keeps Big Mouse awake with his worries about nighttime noises. Big Mouse offers him earmuffs, but the quiet only makes Little Mouse feel lonely. By morning, both mice are sound asleep in Big Mouse’s bed. My daughter felt like this book helped calm her fears about the night!

There’s a Wocket in my Pocket by Dr. Seuss

This isn’t a bedtime story but my husband loved reading it to the kids at bedtime because they loved it and who doesn’t love the silly rhymes of Dr. Suess?

IN CONCLUSION

Bedtime stories are such a great way to bond with your kids!  It gives them a sense of security and a healthy routine.

I hope you enjoyed our favorites.  I would love to hear yours, I may just add to this list.  Leave them in the comments!

Other posts you may enjoy:

• How to Build a Child’s Library on a Budget
• Read with Jenna Junior Book List
• How to Help Your Children Fall in Love with Reading
• Summer Themed Picture Books

Best Bedtime Story Books

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