Bedtime can be a trying time for parents and children alike. Often the world is too exciting and filled with wonder for a child to go to bed willingly.
Here are some stories to share with your child as part of their bedtime routine. Ask staff at your local library to suggest other stories to share with your child.
I am not sleepy and I will not go to bed
Lauren Child
Lola will not go bed, so big brother Charlie has to come up with something to make her. Charlie is wildly inventive - making this a hysterical read.
Kiss good night, Sam
Amy Hest; illustrated by Anita Jeram
It is time for Sam to go to sleep but he's not ready. His mum reads him a story and tucks him in, but Sam is still not ready for bed. His mum tucks in his toys and brings him a warm glass of milk, but Sam is still not ready for bed. Then his mum figures out what is missing and Sam is finally ready for bed. This is a bright and colourful book to help youngsters get ready for bed, and helps adults to understand the importance of night time rituals for children.
Recommended for ages 3 +.
Reviewed by Erika.
Goodnight, goodnight, sleepyhead
Ruth Krauss; illustrated by Jane Dyer
A toddler gets ready for bed, saying goodnight to the world around her - and saying goodnight to all her toys. This is a great book if you are looking for night-time rituals to share with your child as you can easily carry on the routine once the book has been returned to the library. The illustrations are lovely and full of soft colours and adorable toys.
Recommended for ages 18 months+.
Reviewed by Erika.
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A goodnight kiss
Nanda Roep & Marijke Ten Cate
Lisa is a little racoon who wants a kiss from Daddy, who is tucking her in. Daddy comes up with some different sorts of kisses she could have - like a circus kiss, a butterfly kiss, a grandma kiss - but Lisa just wants a goodnight kiss.
Reviewed by Annie.
I don't want to go to bed!
Tony Ross
The Little Princess does not want to go to bed! Everyone wants her to go to bed when she isn't tired - and then they want her to get up when she wants to go to bed! She will try anything to avoid going to bed; she wants a glass of water, there's a monster in her room, or a spider on the ceiling. Will this little princess ever go to bed?
Reviewed by Erika.
Can't you sleep little bear?
Martin Waddell; illustrated by Barbara Firth
A little bear is afraid to go to sleep because he is afraid of the dark - but Big Bear has a lamp on hand to light up the dark. But Little Bear still can't sleep because it is dark outside, so Big Bear takes him outside to see the dark in the safety of his arms.
This charming picture book tackles one of the most common bedtime jitters for children, a fear of the dark. This story is fairly long, but it is a delightful story for children of all ages - and a wonderful story to share with children who are afraid of the dark and may feel that they are the only ones who are afraid of the dark.
Recommended for ages 3 +.
Reviewed by Erika.
How do dinosaurs say goodnight?
Jane Yolen; illustrated by Mark Teague
If you were a dinosaur how would you say goodnight - would you stomp, growl, and moan? This is a superb picture book for children of all ages that will particularly appeal to boys. Although the text is very simplistic the images are full of bright colours and dinosaurs doing all sorts of funny things. This book has been a big hit with children and adults alike and may make bedtime just that little bit easier as children try and decide what kind of dinosaur they would like to be.
Recommended for ages 2 +.
Reviewed by Erika.
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