Reading books together at bedtime is one of the best ways to spend quality time with your kids, and it has many other benefits too. Including it in your child’s nighttime routine, signals their bodies to get ready for sleep. When you read aloud, you’re boosting their language and listening skills. It’s so relaxing that sometimes, I’m the one yawning and dozing off! Here are some bedtime stories for kids that focus on winding down at the end of the day.
The Going to Bed Book
Author: Sandra Boynton | Illustrator: Sandra Boynton
See how fun bedtime routines can be, with Boynton’s signature animal characters. Kids will be entertained by the silly humor found in this board book. The rhymes are so catchy, you’ll likely be reciting them by heart. Explore other Sandra Boynton books at her website.
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The Goodnight Train
Author: June Sobel | Illustrator: Laura Huliska-Beith
All aboard! Hop on the Goodnight Train as it takes you through fantastical landscapes while getting ready for bed. The colorful, whimsical illustrations are delightful and look like something you expect to see only in dreams. For more locomotive adventures, there are many books in The Goodnight Train series to choose from.
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Good Night Ocean
Author: Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper | Illustrator: Cooper Kelly
Celebrate the diversity of the world’s oceans by first saying hello, then good night to different elements you would find in an ocean environment. The bright and colorful illustrations are captivating, and the greetings on every page are calming. For more books similar to this, that cover other places and themes, check out the Good Night Books Series.
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Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
Author: Sherri Duskey Rinker | Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Join one construction truck after another as they prepare to rest after a busy work day. The stunning artwork and rhyming lines add to the soothing experience when reading this story. This is a #1 New York Times bestseller and the first of multiple books from the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series.
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Your Island
Author: Jon Klassen | Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Watch your island get created, one object at a time. When it’s complete, the sun goes down and all the objects on the island go to sleep. This is a charming story with simple rhythmic wording accompanied by minimalist illustrations. Your Island is one of three books in the author’s Your Places series, including “Your Forest” and “Your Farm”.
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What I value most about reading books at bedtime, are the moments of closeness shared together at the end of a busy day. It’s a time to slow down and make the transition to sleep as smooth as possible. You can find these particular books at your local library to try them out, or start building your own collection of bedtime favorites.
Have any of these bedtime stories for kids become nighttime staples in your house? I’d love to hear which stories help your little ones drift off to sleep in the comments below.
Happy exploring!