Books for Kids - Bedtime

Enjoy this list of bedtime stories to help your toddlers or preschoolers get ready for bed.

Updated May 22, 2023
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Monkey bedtime
English, Alex
Paper Book
Suddenly I heard an EEK, a TAP TAP on the pane. A tiny little monkey face was peering through the rain. I'm sure my mom won't mind, I thought. He's really very small. One tiny pygmy marmoset could do no harm at all. . . When a little boy...
A bedtime for Bear
Becker, Bonny.
Paper Book
When the impish Mouse comes to spend the night, Bear is in for a rude--and very funny--awakening in this irresistible story starring the unlikely pair. Bear must have absolute quiet when he goes to bed. He likes to set out his glass of water, adjust his nightcap, fluff his...
Little Owl's bedtime
Gliori, Debi
Paper Book
From bestselling picture book duo Debi Gliori and Alison Brown comes an irresistible bedtime story perfect for little night owls. Little Owl does not want to go to bed. His pillow is too lumpy and his quilt is too hot. He's tried to go to sleep. He's tried REALLY hard, but...
What! cried Granny : an almost bedtime story
Lum, Kate.
Paper Book
Patrick is having his first sleep-over at his grandmother's house. It's almost bedtime, but there's a problem-Patrick doesn't have a bed at Granny's. So Granny goes out to her yard, chops down some trees, and makes a comfy bed for Patrick. Now he can go to sleep. Right? Not yet. He doesn't have a...
Twenty yawns
Smiley, Jane
Paper Book
A Huffington Post Best Children's Book of the Year From Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley and Caldecott Honor artist 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...
Dinosaur vs. bedtime
Shea, Bob.
Paper Book
Fans of No, David! will love this not-quite-ready-for-bedtime book that launched a top-selling series--by favorite funny man Bob Shea! Roaaaar! Roaaaar! This little dinosaur usually wins everything, and nothing can stop him--not talking grownups...
Back to bed, Ed!
Braun, Sebastien.
Paper Book
Transitioning a little one from a crib to a toddler bed? This award-winning bedtime book is just for you! At bedtime, Ed plays silly games with Dad. He has a drink and brushes his teeth. He takes a bath and cuddles with Mom for a bedtime story. Then Ed is off to bed with hugs and kisses. But...
Sleepy, oh so sleepy
Fleming, Denise
Paper Book
Baby animals are going to sleep one by one, but the tiny human baby is the most special of all. Denise Fleming's knack for understanding the preschool set shines through in this gentle good-night story, illustrated with her signature pulp paintings. Take a colorful look at all the tired...
Tomorrow Most Likely
Eggers, Dave.
Paper Book
"Highly recommended . . . an outstanding storytime selection." - School Library Journal, starred review A bright new take on bedtime books: Rather than focusing on going to bed -- and what kid wants to think about going to bed? -- this book explores all of the dreamy,...
Touch the brightest star
Matheson, Christie
Paper Book
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! A companion to the popular and acclaimed Tap the Magic Tree. What...
Sweet dreamers
Simler, Isabelle
Paper Book
A gorgeous bedtime book from an award-winning creator From the celebrated creator of Plume and The Blue Hour comes another enchanting animal book. Countless cozy animals are settling in for the night, but they all sleep in different ways. A bat...
Goodnight moon
Brown, Margaret Wise
Paper Book
In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight room, goodnight moon." And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room--to the picture of the three little bears sitting in chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one-...
Sleepy ABC
Brown, Margaret Wise
Paper Book
Originally published in 1956, this delightful and lyrical text by Margaret Wise Brown follows four small children as they get ready for bed while the world around them--animals and plants alike--go to...
Tiger can't sleep
Fore, S. J.
Paper Book
The well-behaved hero of this story goes right to bed without any fuss. But the show-off tiger in his closet wants to tap-dance and play the drums. An increasingly annoyed little boy argues, scolds, and pleads. "Oops, Tiger is sorry! Tiger will be very, very quiet," Tiger promises- but it's hard to...
Bear can't sleep
Wilson, Karma
Paper Book
Bear's many animal friends try to help him get to sleep in time for winter hibernation in this companion story to Bear Snores On. It's winter, and deep in the forest, Bear should be fast asleep. But when his friends come by to check on him, they realize that Bear is still...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.