Instill a love of reading—and get your child to sleep—by reading children’s books about bedtime every night. Check out our top picks here!
It’s the question I get more than any other, the topic everyone has battled with at some point or another.
Bedtime.
Namely, how can we get our kids to fall asleep / stay asleep / not be so scared about sleep.
We can sleep train, coerce, and give rewards as a way to convince them to go to sleep. But one of the best ways to overcome this challenge is through reading children’s books about bedtime.
With books, kids can relate to the characters. They realize they’re not so alone, and their feelings are valid. They’re also able to discuss and define emotions they may not know how to voice, or even know to exist.
And books are fun! They’re a great way to discuss bedtime challenges in a relaxed, natural manner.
Below are several favorites. Some deal with resistance to bedtime, while others help transition our kids to sleep.
Top children’s books about bedtime
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The Nice Dream Truck by Beth Ferry and Brigette Barrager
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
Ten Little Night Stars by Deb Gruelle
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen
Goodnight, Little Monster by Helen Ketteman
Go Sleep in Your Own Bed by Candace Fleming
I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed by Lauren Child
Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea
I Don’t Want to Go to Bed! by Julie Sykes
Jake Stays Awake by Michael Wright
It’s Time to Sleep, My Love by Nancy Tillman
There’s an Alligator under My Bed by Mercer Mayer
Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang
Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
The Night Night Book by Marianne Richmond
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Can’t Sleep Without Sheep by Susanna Leonard Hill
Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Read these next:
- How to End Your Child’s Nighttime Fears
- 6 Tips to Help Your Child Sleep in Her Own Bed
- Bedtime Battles: How to Come Out on the Winning End
- Help Your Child Sleep Through the Night
- Why I Regret Rocking My Baby To Sleep
Free download: Want even more book selections? Join my newsletter and download the Read Aloud Book List! You’ll get hundreds of favorite selections to read aloud with your kids. Get it below—at no cost to you:
im a grandma of 4 babies 4 and under they love when i read to them. i would love a book of nite time stories and a great bible for this age to start them young
You’re fantastic, Christina! You’re doing a great job reading to them and establishing a consistent routine and a love of learning. I hope you can find a bedtime book out of these selections to read with your little ones!