Bedtime Stories @ Sussex County Library System

Countless reports depict the importance for children to have a set routine for bedtime. A bedtime routine for kids usually consists of three or four activities. Reading and/or sharing books is an excellent example of an activity with many benefits such as it could boost cognitive development, vocabulary, and early literacy while providing a calming, screen-free routine that reduces anxiety and improves sleep quality.

This list has been created and features calming, rhythmic, and cozy tales designed for sleep routines and are available through the Sussex County Library System.

Source: 4 Benefits of Bedtime Reading for Younger Kids. (n.d.). Www.scholastic.com. https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/reading-before-bed-children.html

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Updated June 13, 2026
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Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Awake, asleep
Lukoff, Kyle
Paper Book
A rhythmic, meditative read-aloud about the extraordinary beauty found inbabies' and toddlers' everyday moments, written by Stonewall and Newbery Award-winning author, Kyle Lukoff. A kiss, a blink, a dawn, a break. A yawn, a peep, a stretch, awake! From sunup to...
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...
Close your eyes
Banks, Kate
Paper Book
A little tiger takes an imaginative journey in Close Your Eyes, a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year and a Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. The little tiger lay on his back in the tall grass. "Close your...
The going to bed book
Boynton, Sandra.
Paper Book
Getting ready for sleep is tons of fun in this iconic board book from author and illustrator Sandra Boynton. This classic bedtime story is just right for winding down the day as a joyful, silly group of animals scrub scrub scrub in the tub, brush and brush and brush...
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...
Goodnight, Bruce
Higgins, Ryan
Paper Book
Mother Bruce's family of mice and geese will do ANYTHING to get out of going to sleep in this hilarious and all-too-relatable bedtime story. It's bedtime in Soggy Hollow. But Bruce's family of mice and geese would rather watch late-night monster movies than go to sleep.
Goodnight, goodnight, construction site
Rinker, Sherri Duskey.
Paper Book
As the sun sets in the big construction site, all the hard-working trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest so they'll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play.<...
The Greatest Bedtime Story Ever
Sima, Jessie
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling creator of Not Quite Narwhal Jessie Sima comes a fantastical tale of how an elf facing a dangerous dragon was inspired to write The Greatest Bedtime Story Ever to save himself! Are you ready to hear the GREATEST BEDTIME STORY EVER...
How to make a bedtime
McKinlay, Megan
Paper Book
How do you make a perfect bedtime? An award-winning author and acclaimed illustrator craft a soothing picture book sure to inspire sweet dreams every night. When the sun's light is fading and night's on the rise, it's time to start yawning your sleepy goodbyes.<...
In my heart : a book of feelings
Witek, Jo
Paper Book
Celebrate feelings in all their shapes and sizes with In My Heart: A Book of Feelings, a New York Times bestseller full-color, interactive picture book from author Jo Witek and illustrator Christine Roussey Part of the Growing Hearts series! ...
It's time to sleep, my love
Metaxas, Eric.
Paper Book
As comforting as a soft blanket and warm as a goodnight hug, Eric Metaxas's lullaby It's Time to Sleep, My Love is delightfully brought to life by bestselling artist Nancy Tillman (On the Night You Were Born), whose illustrations celebrate the wonders of the natural world, and...
Little Owl's night
Srinivasan, Divya.
Paper Book
A unique twist on a bedtime story, this gorgeously illustrated book is the perfect comfort for any child who's curious about what goes on at night. It's evening in the forest, and Little Owl has just woken up from his day-long slumber to watch his friends enjoying the night....
Llama, llama red pajama
Dewdney, Anna.
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER . Llama Llama learns to face the bedtime blues in this charmingly written picture book classic, perfect for sending little ones off to sleep. Llama, Llama red pajama waiting, waiting for his mama. Mama isn't coming yet...
The moon remembers /
Goodale, E. B.
Paper Book
★ "Peaceful and reverent, this is a book for all families to share as they cuddle closely together." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ★ "[A] satisfying nighttime story with a tender heart. Reassuring in its simplicity and lulling in its tone, with visual ties to the expanse of...
Papa's home
Soman, David
Paper Book
Spend a day with an irresistible father and child, riding the ups and downs of the emotions that come before a parent goes away, and discover the deep comfort of learning that Papa's love is strong, no matter where he is. With art that strikes an enchanting balance between classic...
Sleepy boy
Kanevsky, Polly.
Paper Book
During the day, the boy has been to the zoo where he has seen a lion and her cub. As nighttime falls, the boy and his father share a book. It's the boy's bedtime, but the boy is not sleepy. He is still with the lions. Sleepy Boy is a lovely hymn from a new author -- a hymn to day and to night...
Sleepy toes
McNeil, Kelli
Paper Book
A head-to-toe goodnight story that prepares little ones for sleep! Are your toes getting sleepy? So very, very sleepy?All day long they wiggle along -- wiggly, wobbly toes.But now it's time to get some rest, so tomorrow we can be our best!In the vein of such modern-day classics as...
The snowy nap
Brett, Jan
Paper Book
In this instant winter classic, Jan Brett's Hedgie tries to stay awake so he doesn't miss out on all the snowy fun his friends are having. A chill is in the air, and as Hedgie trundles around the farm all his friends tell him of the winter-time fun he will miss as he hibernates-...
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sheepy: A Sleepy Sheepy Story
Cummins, Lucy Ruth
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald and written by acclaimed author Lucy Ruth Cummins comes a silly and sing-songy Sleepy Sheepy bedtime board book. Twinkle, twinkle, little sheep, now it's time to go to sleep . . . ...
When the sun goes down
Acosta, Alicia
Paper Book
Little animals are in a hurry to get home before the sun goes down. Come and learn about the different types of families in this poetic book before it comes... bedtime!
I wish you more
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse
Paper Book
Using comparative statements, the infallible team of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld have created a sweet compendium of small daily moments.

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