30+ Bedtime Books for Little Ones
As I was planning out some blog content, I was first going to create a bedtime storytime. But after taking a little bit of time, I realized there are way too many bedtime books to focus on just a handful for a storytime lesson plan. And that’s not to say you couldn’t use any of these books for storytime, this is a much more extensive book list of bedtime stories for little ones.
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30+ Bedtime Books for Little Ones
Bedtime Bonnet
by Nancy Redd, illustrated by Nneka Myers
This joyous and loving celebration of family is the first-ever picture book to highlight Black nighttime hair traditions – and is perfect for every little girl who knows what it’s like to lose her bonnet just before bedtime.
Bedtime for Sweet Creatures
by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Nikki Grimes, Coretta Scott King Award winning author, and acclaimed illustrator Elizabeth Zunon’s latest children’s masterpiece creates an imagination-fueled and animal-filled journey to bedtime.
Bedtime in the Jungle
by John Buttler
This gorgeous bedtime story inspired by “Over in the Meadow” will lull readers to sleep as they count the members of a series of animal families.
A Book of Sleep
by Il Sung Na
When the sky grows dark
and the moon glows bright,
everyone goes to sleep . . .
except for the watchful owl!
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime
by Bob Shea
Roaaaar! Roaar! Nothing can stop me!
Nothing can stop little dinosaur-not talking grownups, spaghetti, or even bath time. But what happens when he faces the biggest challenge of all? Bedtime?
Don’t Blink
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by David Roberts
Here’s how it works: if you can avoid getting to the end of this book, you can avoid bedtime, simple as that. (It’s a pretty sweet deal, actually.) But each time you blink, you have to turn a page. Those are just the rules. So whatever you do, DON’T BLINK!
Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
by Mo Willems
It’s getting dark out, but one stubborn Pigeon is NOT going to bed! Children will love this interactive bedtime romp, which puts readers back in the driver’s seat, deflecting Pigeon’s sly trickery as he tries to escape his inevitable bedtime. Will you let him stay up late?
Going to Bed Book
by Sandra Boynton
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.
Good Night Owl
by Greg Pizzoli
Owl tries his best to wrap up his night and settle in for a long sleep–after moving past a few bumps in the road—in this Geisel Honor-winning, giggle-worthy bedtime story.
Goodnight Already!
by Jory John, illustrated by Benji Davies
Bear is exhausted. All he wants is to go to sleep. Duck is wide awake. All he wants is to hang out . . . with Bear. Will Bear ever be able to catch some ZZZ’s?
Goodnight Everyone
by Chris Haughton
A series of exquisitely colored cut pages of increasing size introduce woodland families – bears, deer, rabbits and teeny, tiny mice – who are all beginning to feel really … rather … tired … YAWN!
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Vibrant illustrations and gentle rhyming text make this construction book for kids a surefire bedtime favorite for truck-crazy kids everywhere.
The Goodnight Train
by June Sobel, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
All aboard for Dreamland! Hold on to your pillow because the Goodnight Train is taking off. Roll that corner, rock that curve, and soar past mermaids, leaping sheep, and even ice-cream clouds. You won’t want to miss a thing, so whatever you do, don’t . . . close . . . your . . . eyes!
Hush!
by Minfong Ho, illustrated by Holly Meade
In an endearing lullaby, a mother asks a lizard, a monkey, and a water buffalo to be quiet and not disturb her sleeping baby.
I Don’t Want to Go to Sleep
by Dev Petty, illustrated by Mike Boldt
Frog is excited about autumn and the coming of winter. But when Owl informs him that frogs hibernate till spring, Frog is upset at missing out on all the snowy fun.
Interrupting Chicken
by David Ezra Stein
It’s time for the little red chicken’s bedtime story — and a reminder from Papa to try not to interrupt. But the chicken can’t help herself! Whether the tale is Hansel and Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood or even Chicken Little, she jumps into the story to save its hapless characters. Now it’s the little red chicken’s turn to tell a story, but will her yawning papa make it to the end without his own kind of interrupting?
If Animals Kissed Good Night
by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrated by David Walker
If animals kissed like we kiss good night . . .what would they do? Giraffe and his calf would stretch their necks high, and kiss just beneath the top of the sky. Wolf and his pup would kiss and then HOWL. And Sloth and her baby move soooo slooowwwww . . .they’re sure to be kissing until long after everyone is fast asleep!
It Is Not Time for Sleeping
by Lisa Graff, illustrated by Lauren Castillo
As each piece of his evening routine is completed—helping with the dishes, playing with the dog, getting into pajamas, brushing teeth with Dad, being tucked in by Mom, and listening to a story—he becomes a little more certain: it is definitely not time for sleeping. The question is, when will it be time for sleeping?
Little Hoot
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Jen Corace
It’s not fair! All Little Owl wants is to go to bed at a reasonable hour, like his friends do. But no . . . Mama and Papa say little owls have to stay up late and play.
Little Owl’s Night
by Diya Srinivasan
It’s evening in the forest and Little Owl wakes up from his day-long sleep to watch his friends enjoying the night. Hedgehog sniffs for mushrooms, Skunk nibbles at berries, Frog croaks, and Cricket sings. A full moon rises and Little Owl can’t understand why anyone would want to miss it.
Llama Llama Red Pajama
by Anna Dewdney
Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama in this rhyming read-aloud favorite!
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
by Jennifer Adams, illustrated by Alison Oliver
The perfect lullaby for a magical midsummer night, and a beautiful way to introduce your little one to the Bard. Jennifer Adams’ adaptation of Shakespeare’s original lines and Alison Oliver’s whimsical illustrations bring the world of fairies to life and will enchant little ones for years to come.
Nature’s Lullaby Fills the Night
by Dee Leone, illustrated by Bali Engel
Shh—listen. Can you hear the quiet, loving sounds of the nighttime world? From moths fluttering their powdery wings, to a nightingale’s sweet trills, to swaying willow trees softly shushing, shushing everyone to sleep, this rhythmic, rhyming lullaby will soothe and calm little ones.
Noisy Night
by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Brian Biggs
A clever picture book about a multi-level apartment building’s occupants and their many nighttime noises.
Sleep Like a Tiger
by Mary Logue, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
In this magical bedtime story, the lyrical narrative echoes a Runaway Bunny – like cadence: “Does everything in the world go to sleep?” the little girl asks. In sincere and imaginative dialogue between a not-at-all sleepy child and understanding parents, the little girl decides “in a cocoon of sheets, a nest of blankets,” she is ready to sleep, warm and strong, just like a tiger.
Sleepyheads
by Sandra J. Howatt, illustrated by Joyce Wan
The sun has set, and sleepyheads all across the land are tucked into their cozy beds.
Rabbit is snoozing in the weeds, and Duck is snuggled in the reeds.
Bear is nestled in his cave, and Otter is rocking on a wave.
But there’s one little sleepyhead who’s not in his bed.
Where, oh where, could he be?
Steam Train, Dream Train
by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
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.
Thank You and Good Night
by Patrick McDonnell
During a fun pajama party, three animal friends dance and play, but at last everyone is getting sleepy. Is it time for bed yet? Not before taking the time to say thank you for the day, the night, and good friends.
This Book Will Get You to Sleep!
by Jory John, illustrated by Olivier Tallec
For little ones reluctant to say good night, this laugh-out-loud story from beloved author Jory John and internationally acclaimed illustrator Olivier Tallec will guide them through different methods of falling asleep―until they might just get tired after all.
Touch the Brightest Star
by Christie Matheson
This interactive bedtime story proves nighttime isn’t scary at all. The gentle journey from sunset to sunrise shows even the youngest children the magic of the nighttime sky—and lets them make magic happen!
Twenty Yawns
by Jane Smiley, illustrated by Lauren Castillo
As her mom reads a bedtime story, Lucy drifts off. But later, she awakens in a dark, still room, and everything looks mysterious. How will she ever get back to sleep?
What Color Is Night?
by Grant Snider
Look closer. Grant Snider’s beautiful debut picture book explores the wonders—and colors—of nighttime. For night is not just black and white. Ending in colors yet unseen, and a night of sweet dreams, this lilting lullaby is sure to comfort those drifting off to sleep.
