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 we can 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 that 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! With humor, a bedtime story can help our toddlers and preschoolers start their bedtime routines, from bath time to brushing their teeth to putting on pajamas. And a picture book is a great way to discuss what can often be the biggest challenge in our day in a relaxed, natural manner.
Below are several favorites. Some deal with resistance to bedtime, while others help transition our young children to a good night’s sleep. I hope you’ll find a great book to read with yours little ones at night time:
Top children’s books about bedtime
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Arlo The Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep by Catherine Rayner
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
Beep! Beep! Go to Sleep! by Todd Tarpley
Just Go to Bed (Little Critter) by Mercer Mayer
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen
A Kiss Goodnight by Claire Wright
Good Night, Sleep Tight by Mem Fox
Go Sleep in Your Own Bed by Candace Fleming
Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Say Good Night by Lauren H. Kerstein
I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed by Lauren Child
A Big Bed for Little Snow by Grace Lin
Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan
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
The Going To Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
The Night Night Book by Marianne Richmond
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
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 printables: Want even more book selections? Join my newsletter and grab 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:
Leave a Reply