2026 Blogging A to Z Challenge: Bedtime

It’s letter “B” day of the 2026 Blogging A to Z Challenge! Today the focus is on bedtime and I’ve got a bunch of really cute board books to add to your bedtime routine. I know that bedtime is one of the most popular times to read to little ones, it’s a great way to settle down before falling asleep and is a perfect activity for a few extra snuggles. There is no reason to read specific “bedtime” books at bedtime, but it does kind of make a lot of sense since it’s a familiar activity that little ones will understand.

Bedtime stories are very popular and there are dozens out there. And you’ll often find two camps of bedtime books – the books that are quiet, with darker color tones, soft light, and calm text and then you have the opposite the books about a character who has no desire to fall asleep and will do just about anything to not close their eyes. I’ve got a couple of each on this list and you’ll be able to find the best books that fit your family, especially if you swing by your local library or local independent bookstore to check these out.

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2026 Blogging A to Z Challenge: Bedtime

Baby, Sleepy Baby by Atinuke

Baby, happy baby, I’ll sing down the stars
till they dance right into your room.

It’s bedtime for a drowsy little one, and the whole family takes turns cuddling and singing this sleepy baby to bed. One by one the baby’s sister, grandmother, father, and mother call on the winds, the clouds, the stars, and the moon to sail and rock and delight their little one until dreams take over. Author Atinuke and illustrator Angela Brooksbank reunite for this gentle picture book—based on a song that Atinuke’s father sang to her in Nigeria—to evoke the warmth and tenderness of wrapping a child in nighttime’s embrace and celebrate the moments families share with their sleepy babies at bedtime.

Bedtime Rhymes by Child’s Play, illustrated by Allie Busby

Time spent with your child is incredibly precious. It helps them feel safe and loved, and develops empathy and communication from the earliest age. This little collection of nursery rhymes and songs is the perfect companion for Together Time!

Good Night, Baboon! A Bedtime Counting Book by Sabrina Moyle, illustrated by Eunice Moyle

2 lazy llamas,
all tucked in snug.
Now look who’s ready for . . .
1 big hug!

With its vibrant art and cheerful rhyming text, plus a countdown from one to ten, the book is a joy for grown-ups and children to read aloud together.

Created by Eunice Moyle and Sabrina Moyle, the sister team behind the award-winning design studio Hello!Lucky, Good Night, Baboon! features the bright and appealing style that has made their previous children’s books bestsellers and their stationery and other products so popular across all ages.

Good Night, Baby by Little Bee Books

Buenas noches. Wan an. Jal ja. Gute nacht. Learn to say good night in fifteen languages as babies all over the world get ready for bed.

This informative board book introduces simple bedtime routines while teaching toddlers how to say “good night” in English, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish, Arabic, German, Swahili, Navajo, Russian, sign language, Hindi, Portuguese, Japanese, and Italian. The beautiful photographs of sleepy children will calm any baby, and the pronunciation guide will help readers learn new languages with ease!

Just One More by Mara Conlon, illustrated by Vin Vogel

It’s getting later and later, but little Capy isn’t ready for bed just yet. ”One more book, one more song, one more drink . . . please!” And just when Mommy and Daddy think they’re finally ready for bed, somebody needs just one more thing . . . but who could that be?

Looking for Sleep by Georgiana Deutsch, illustrated by Megan Tadden

Having a child who is unable to sleep is a familiar scenario for many families—and in the new board book edition of Looking for Sleep, it’s a young wolf who is experiencing that problem! Wolf can’t fall asleep, so he embarks on a journey with his friends to find sleep, because surely, it can’t be far. The group looks for sleep in dens, burrows, and everything in between, with no luck. Could Owl know just what to do? Delightful illustrations, set in a moonlit forest, and soft padded covers make for a cozy, comfy bedtime read with little ones.

Sleep, Little Batman by Keith Negley

It’s bedtime for the young superhero despite his daring protests. However, dad is putting his foot down. It’s time for bed! On this dark night, all the chasing, wrestling, and tickling may prove to be too much for dad. Who will win? Find out in this touching—and relatable—board book about the battle at bedtime.

Keith Negley, author and illustrator of A Lot Like Batman, brings us his unique vision, in this colorful board book with sturdy pages and a wonderful heartfelt—and super heroic—spin to a bedtime battle familiar to all parents. It’s sure to become a nightly favorite for generations to come!

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Sheepy by Lucy Ruth Cummins, illustrated by Pete Oswald

Twinkle, twinkle, little sheep,
now it’s time to go to sleep . . .

Crafted from the original bedtime song “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” and with sturdy board book pages, this is the perfect bedtime read for little sheepies who absolutely, positively refuse to go to bed!

We Say Good Night by Salina Yoon

Expand your child’s world! This book features the faces of children from many nations speaking seven languages: English, Chinese, Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, French, and Tagalog. In an innovative design, readers lift a flap to discover a speech bubble with a familar phrase translated. Includes phonetic pronunciations for each language, as well as characters for Arabic, Hindi, and Mandarin Chinese.

2026 is my eleventh year participating in the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year, my theme is Board Books for Babies with a focus on providing book suggestions that parents and caregivers can share with, of course, babies, but also toddlers and preschoolers! Each letter of the alphabet will focus on a different subject and will provide nine titles for each subject. While there are dozens of classic board books out there, this list includes titles published in the past 5-6 years, so you’ll get to learn about new titles, authors, and publishers! Stop by daily to check out the new books and other posts that I’ll be sharing in April.