Books for Kids - Bedtime

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

Updated May 22, 2023
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Bedtime blastoff!
Reynolds, Luke
Paper Book
Blast off to bedtime with this adventure-filled story about a little boy who imagines his bed turning into a car, a fire truck, even a space ship as he rockets into dreamland! For little boys who love construction vehicles, race cars, and fire trucks, this is the perfect bedtime story...
Baby bedtime
Fox, Mem
Paper Book
Join these adorable elephants for a lyrical good night routine in this tender bedtime tale from the bestselling author of Time for Bed and Hello Baby! After all the kissing, and the hugging, and the rocking, and the snuggling, there at last comes a time for-...
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...
Bedtime for Little Bulldozer
Broach, Elise
Paper Book
Little Bulldozer struggles to fall asleep in Bedtime for Little Bulldozer, a sweet and clever bedtime picture book by New York Times bestselling author Elise Broach with illustrations by Barry E. Jackson. Falling asleep isn't always easy, especially for a loud...
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...
Good Night Like This
Murphy, Mary
Paper Book
From the creator of A Kiss Like This and Say Hello Like This! comes a third adorable animal story to share -- this one for bedtime. Filled with dreamy, colorful art, this is the perfect soothing bedtime book for little children. The rhythmic text is just right for...
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...
The bear in my bed
Wan, Joyce
Paper Book
The Bear in My Bed, featuring Joyce Wan's sweet text and signature bold, graphic art, is a hilarious take on bedtime routines, sure to make sleepy little ones smile! When a little boy goes into his room for bedtime, he finds out that his bed is already occupied--by a...
Goodnight, good dog
Ray, Mary Lyn
Paper Book
It's time to say goodnight. But what if a dog isn't sleepy? Intimate and accessible, this young dog story captures how a reluctant pup warms to bedtime in a way that children will recognize immediately--and find as reassuring as their own beds.   
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...
Sleepy Sheepy
Cummins, Lucy Ruth
Paper Book
From critically acclaimed author Lucy Ruth Cummins and Pete Oswald, New York Times bestselling illustrator of The Sour Grape, comes a rhyming bedtime tale featuring brand new picture book character Sleepy Sheepy, a sheep who is definitely NOT sleepy! Sleepy...
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,...
Goodnight already!
John, Jory.
Paper Book
*An E. B. White Read-Aloud Honor Book* A hilarious bedtime book from the award-winning creators of I Love You Already!, Come Home Already!, and All Right Already! Bear is exhausted. All he wants is to go to sleep. Duck is wide awake. All he wants is to hang out . . . with...
Touch the brightest star
Matheson, Christie
Paper Book
What happens while you're asleep With lush, beautiful watercolors and cut-paper collage, Christie Matheson reveals the magic of the nighttime sky using the same kinds of toddler-perfect interactive elements as her acclaimed Tap the Magic Tree. Wave good-bye to the sun, gently press...
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 this classic of children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day. In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight...
The big bed
Laditan, Bunmi
Paper Book
From Bunmi Laditan, the creator of the Honest Toddler blog, The Big Bed is a humorous picture book about a girl who doesn't want to sleep in her little bed, so she presents her dad with his own bed--a camping cot!--in order to move herself into her parents' big bed in his place. A twist on...
Don't blink!
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse.
Paper Book
This interactive book may seem to be on your side, reluctant sleeper -- but it's truly a bedtime book in disguise! New from New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Amy Krouse Rosenthal and David Roberts! Here's how it works: if you can avoid getting to the end of...
Baby, sleepy baby
Atinuke
Paper Book
Lyrical and full of love, this gentle picture book--based on a song that Atinuke's father sang to her in Nigeria--is the perfect bedtime lullaby. Baby, sleepy baby, I'll sing down the stars till they dance right into your room. It's bedtime for a...
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...

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