SLEEPY HAPPY CAPY CUDDLES
SLEEPY HAPPY CAPY CUDDLES by Mike Allegra is such a cute bedtime book that children will love.
In a noisy rainforest, a jolly Capybara appears and shares cuddles with the other animals. The animals aren’t sure what sleepy happy capy cuddles are so the cuddly Capybara is happy to demonstrate.
After observing her cuddles, they loved it, and soon more cuddly sleepy happy capybara’s arrived. The jungle was quiet now and full of cuddles.
Not all cuddles are the same, some are super squeezy, or just hands, but the most important thing is how they make you feel.
With vibrant yellow-greenish illustrations by Jaimie Whitbread, this soothing huggable book is sure to calm restless little minds just before bed. AGE 2-4. Publisher: Page Street Kids.
CRINKLE, CRINKLE, LITTLE CAR
CRINKLE, CRINKLE LITTLE CAR by Jay Fleck features a noisy little car that just can’t sleep. As it flies through the night sky, its crinkly exterior wakes up the moon and planets along the way.
Finally sleepy, it returns home to the garage, where it falls fast asleep.
With vibrant, intergalactic illustrations, and the familiar tunes of our favorite “twinkle, twinkle little star,” this is definitely going to be an “again… again” bedtime story, that’s guaranteed to help drift your little ones off to sleep.
The orange crinkly car is an instant hit for us and we couldn’t resist. Publisher: Chronicle Book. Age: 2-4
where the wee ones go
WHERE THE WEE ONES GO by Karen Jameson is perfect for bedtime and features endangered animals from around the world.
From swinging Orangutans through the treetops of Sumatra to snoozing Hippo calves in Zambia, these beautiful endangered animals snuggle up t sleep with their mommies and daddies just as our little ones do.
With vivid illustrations by Zosienka, Where The Wee Ones Go became an instant favorite at our house. Publisher: Chronicle Book. Age: 2-4
SUNRISE DANCE
In SUNRISE DANCE by Serena Gingold Allen, the forest animals wake up with the sun and welcome the morning.
Wriggling wrens and sparrows take flight, while squirrels scurry and ladybugs leap.
Featuring pullouts, lifts, playful critters and vivid illustrations by Teagan White, this grooving book is an instant favorite to start the day. Publisher: Chronicle Book. Age: 2-4
MOONLIGHT PRANCE
MOONLIGHT PRANCE by Serena Gingold Allen is a delightful bedtime book featuring cute Nocturnal animals in the forest as they prepare for play while we prepare for bed.
From scampering skunks to prancing possums, each page boost curiosity, with pull tabs and slides that are super interactive.
The illustrations by Teagan White are absolutely bold and vibrant with midnight hues, making it a perfect winding-down book for bedtime. Publisher: Chronicle Book. Age: 2-4
BEDTIME FOR SUPERHEROES
If your children love superheroes, then BEDTIME FOR SUPERHEROES by Katherine Locke is going to be a big hit.
We all know superheroes always get the job done, and it’s not always easy.
From fighting bad guys to lending a helping hand, superheroes go above and beyond.
But superheroes need time for other things like recharging and doing laundry or brushing their teeth.
With vibrant, heroic illustrations by Rayanne Vieira, this book is an ode to little superheroes who save the day. It’s inspirational and a positive representation of children everywhere, and encourages them to be brave and bold. Publisher: Running Press Kids. Age: 2-4
FARM LULLABY
FARM LULLABY by Karen Jameson is a sweet bedtime book featuring farming animals as they prepare their young ones for bed.
The animals are super cute and children read and enjoy a typical night on a farm with soothing animals sounds
The illustrations by Wednesday Kirwan are absolutely bold and vibrant and are sure to calm little ones before bed. Publisher: Chronicle Books. Age: 2-4
TIME FOR BED, OLD HOUSE
TIME FOR BED, OLD HOUSE by Janet Costa Bates is a sweet bedtime story that little readers will love.
Isaac didn’t love the thought of sleeping away from home when he visited his grandpop, but when grandpa puts the house to sleep first, Isaac becomes more comfortable with the idea.
As they tiptoed through the house, closing shades and turning off switches, they gradually ease into bedtime with stories. Soon enough, Isaac was putting his grandpa and the house to sleep instead, then finally himself.
We absolutely love this book. It’s full of metaphors that allow children to drift off to sleep, and it’s a great way to comfort visiting little ones.
It portrays the bonds between a grandfather and his son and fosters intergenerational bonding.
With wonderful, vivid illustrations by A. G Ford, this book is truly a gem and perfect for bedtime at the grandparent’s house. Total must-have. Publisher: Candlewick Press Age: 2-4
THE MIDNIGHT FAIR
We love wordless picture books, and THE MIDNIGHT FAIR by Gideon Sterer is such a delightful one.
The fair has arrived and the entire town is there. When they shut everything down for the night and the people leave, the animals come out to have some fun.
As they ride cars and carousels and play fun games, they each enjoy the enlightenment of the town fair just as much as the people do.
Before sunrise, they clean and organize and even paid for their rides with forest knick-knacks like flowers and berries.
Wordless picture books are always fun and interactive. Children create their interpretation of the story by awakening their imagination.
THE MIDNIGHT FAIR is a perfect read, especially for bedtime because it’s always great to sleep thinking happy, positive thoughts.
The illustrations by Mariachiara Di Giorgio come alive through the pages and captivate children with all the vibrant, jolly images. Part of the reason people love the town fair. Publisher: Candlewick Press Age: 2-4
ELLA'S NIGHT LIGHT
ELLA’S NIGHT LIGHTS by Lucy Fleming is a beautiful book that celebrates the value of friendship and support.
It features a tiny fairy named Ella who longed to see the sunrise but, couldn’t be in the sun because of her delicate wings.
During the night, she collected anything that glimmered and glowed and shared the light with anyone who needed help to find their way in the dark.
Her kindness and warm light created wonderful friendships with the animals in the forest and later inspired her friends to create a den of darkness, so she could see the sunrise for the first time.
We all have dark days sometimes, and all we need is a little light and positivity. Especially from those closest to us.
With colorful, wintery illustrations, this inspirational book shines through with a great message for both children and adults. Publisher: Candlewick Press Age: 2-4
BEDTIME FOR ALBIE
BEDTIME FOR ALBIE by Sophie Ambrose is another adorable bedtime favorite of ours.
Albie is a cute little pig that just isn’t sleepy. He wants to play with his friends, but they are all getting ready for bed, so he plays alone.
When it was finally time for bed, his bath time became a fun mud party with all his animal friends.
The beautiful watercolor illustrations are so vibrant and little mischievous Albie is super cute.
Thanks to our bookish besties at Candlewick Press for sending us this book. Publisher: Candlewick Press Age: 2-4
WAKEY BIRDS
Are there nights when your little ones just won’t fall asleep? In WAKEY BIRDS Will They Ever Sleep by Maggie Frost, the Wakey Birds have trouble falling asleep.
They’re uncomfortable, itchy, and easily spooked. The soothing shushers of the jungle make soothing sounds to help, and all but one wakey bird fall asleep.
The littlest wakey bird is just not tired. She wants to play and decides to wake the other animals in the jungle with her noise. They are all terrified because she also woke the dreaded jungle beast who is not happy but finds a solution to all their sleep problems.
He reads them a story and the wakey birds finally fall asleep.
This book is delightfully hilarious and totally relatable because we all have those restless nights where we can’t sleep. Sometimes all we need is a good book.
The bold, vibrant illustrations are sure to captivate sleepy heads, making it a perfect addition to our favorite bedtime booklist. Publisher: Templar Books Age: 4-8
VENETIAN LULLABY
VENETIAN LULLABY by Judith L. Roth takes us on a gondola ride through Venice as a mother and father soothe their baby to sleep.
As they float through Venetian waters, they see the floating laundry and neighbors through their windows settling in for the night. The baby slowly drifts off to sleep by the tapping of the water.
This book is so adorable, and the illustrations by Kendra Binney are absolutely breathtaking and full of Venetian culture. Publisher: Page Street Kids Age: 4-8
WOODLAND DREAMS
WOODLAND DREAMS by Karen Jameson welcomes autumn’s outdoor adventures and the beginning of winter as animals get ready to hibernate.
As a girl walks through the forest, she observes and documents the animals she sees. From a honey-loving bear to the shiny scales of fish swimming home, this book is such a delight to read.
Karen Jameson vividly describes each animal in their characteristic trait a calm, rhythmic mood that makes a perfect bedtime book.
Little nature lovers will love the vibrant illustrations by Marc Boutavant. It’s incredibly mind-blowing. Thank you to our bookish besties @chroniclekidsbooks for sending us this wonderful book. Publisher: Chronicle Books Age: 4-8
LET'S GET SLEEPY!
Tony Cliff’s LET’S GET SLEEPY is such a fun and exciting book to read.
After waking up one morning, a clowder of cats embarks on a quest to get Sleepy the mouse.
Sleepy was the prince of the night, Master of Dreams and King of Moonlight, but he was also very sneaky.
They searched through the neighborhood parade, the beach, through wintery mounts and prehistoric times and even out of space, but they still couldn’t catch that sneaky mouse. Will they find Sleepy or will he find them?
LET’S GET SLEEPY takes little readers on a delightful and whimsical journey of a cat-and-mouse chase of hide and seek as they help the cats find Sleepy. It’s full of imagination and the cats are adorable.
We love that Sleepy is a metaphor for sleep, and it encourages children to get out and explore.
It’s great for bedtime and best of all, the illustrations are amazing with beautiful gradients that pop and set the mood on every page. @mackidsbooks We love this one SO much, thank you for sharing it with us. AGE 2-6, PUBLISHER: Imprint.
SCARED OF THE DARK? IT'S REALLY SCARED OF YOU.
SCARED OF THE DARK? IT’S REALLY SCARED OF YOU by Peter Vegas portrays the darkness in a different light. We have always linked darkness to somberness or murkiness because some people fear it.
Though often misunderstood, in this book, the darkness fears the light and just wants to be accepted. It hides when the lights come on and its only friends are bats and the stars.
This book is such a sweet gesture and a great way to encourage children to be more comfortable in the dark. The darkness wants to be your friend, so the next time you see it, just say hello.
The illustrations by Benjamin Chaud are vivid and colorful in contrast to the theme of the book. Thank you to our bookish besties @chroniclekidsbooks for sending us this wonderful book. Publisher: Chronicle Books Age: 4-8
POESY THE MONSTER SLAYER
Does your little one have an over-active imagination? POESY THE MONSTER SLAYER by Cory Doctorow features, a fierce girl named Poesy as she prepares for the monsters that visit her at night.
Armed with the knowledge she accumulated from her Book of Monster and trinkets around her room, she defeats each creature as they come but, the raucous kept waking her parents, and they are not happy.
She kept them up all night with her slaying that by morning they looked like zombies.
This book is a mix of spooky and hilarious and encourages children to be brave little warriors. With vibrant illustrations by Matt Rockefeller, it’s guaranteed to be a bedtime favorite. Publisher: Macmillan Kids Age: 4-8
SLEEPOVER AT THE MUSEUM
Ever wish you could have a sleepover at The Museum of Natural History?
In SLEEPOVER AT THE MUSEUM by Karen LeFrak’s, Mason and his friends couldn’t be more excited to do so.
It’s Mason’s birthday, and he gets to decide which Hall at the museum to sleep in. He and his friends began with a scavenger hunt and solve clues before he decides.
Throughout the Museum, they learn so many things. They see all the different planets, dinosaurs, mammals, butterflies and ocean life. Which hall do you think Mason ultimately chose to sleep in? The illustrations by David Bucs are naturalistically vibrant, yet dramatic and so much fun. I love how the shadows of the subjects of each room tag along with the children and become a part of the birthday celebration. It’s extremely imaginative and creative and makes the PERFECT bedtime book. AGE 4-8
MERMAIDS FAST ASLEEP
Have you read MERMAIDS FAST ASLEEP by Robin Riding? It’s soooo beautiful.
It features a little girl, her mama and their dog camping by the ocean. As the sun sets, and she prepares to sleep, she looks at the water below and wonders if mermaids are fast asleep.
She imagines their bright colored scales and blue hair and wonders if they count fish instead of sheep.Do the dolphins sing them lullabies?
Her imagination runs through the serene oceanic floor as she wishes to see them laying their heads on sandy beds and breathing water like air. So poetic.
Reading this book is calming at bedtime as the soothing rhythm gently carries your little ones off to sleep. The illustrations by Zoe Persico are absolutely breathtaking and the floating bubbles create a calming and snug effect as you read. AGE 2-4
TIME FOR BED, MIYUKI
TIME FOR BED, MIYUKI by Roxane Marie Galliez is about an adventurous little girl named Miyuki who just isn’t ready for bed.
TOMORROW MOST LIKELY
TOMORROW MOST LIKELY by Dave Eggers takes a twist on the traditional bedtime story and creates a more modern, innovative story that is hopeful and inspirational.
It features a little boy being tucked into bed, but instead of recapping what happened during the day, he imagines all the things that could happen the next day.
His cereal most likely will be brown and most likely there’ll be a door that could most likely lead to a world of endless possibilities. I love it when Illustrators make you think, examine and explore every page. Each tiny, yet important detail they draw, create discussions and interaction between readers and Lane Smith does exactly that.
The illustrations are vibrant and intricate. The buildings are colorful and the page transitions are absolutely phenomenal.
TOMORROW MOST LIKELY, gives readers hope to embrace a new day and make it their own. It’s full of imagination and wonder that children will absolutely love.
Blow a kazoo, jump rope with your friends in the park, listen to sounds through the window of a car that’s driving by, touch a snail or name a squirrel Stu. Whatever you do, make tomorrow amazing. This is definitely one that will be added to our fave bedtime book collection. AGE 4-8
THE NIGHT IS YOURS
THE NIGHT IS YOURS by Abdul-Razak Zachariah is another one of our favorites for the year. It features a little girl named Amani who sets out to play with her friends before bedtime. As they jump rope and play double dutch, the light and people from the building’s apartments breathe rhythm and life into the night. They play hide-and-seek and Amani is “it” and with the help of the moonlight, she finds her friends.
This wonderful story is told by her father who looks out the window as she plays and exalts his daughter.
THE NIGHT IS YOURS is about strength and family and a community that unites to protect their children.
With illustrations by Keturah A. Bobo this book is fun and playful with vibrant colors of the night. AGE 4-8
HOW DO YOU SAY GOOD NIGHT?
HOW DO YOU SAY GOOD NIGHT by Cindy Jin is a fun new release that can teach children to say good night in different languages and it’s a great way to learn about different cultures around the world.
It’s such a fun and interactive book that’s totally relatable because the words and languages may be different, but they hold the same special meaning for children at bedtime.
Shirley Ng-Benitez’s heartwarming and dreamy illustrations are super cute and take you along on the journey to different countries. A total bedtime favorite. AGE 2-4
RED SKY AT NIGHT
RED SKY AT NIGHT by Elly MacKay is full of beauty and color.
Ever wondered how they predicted the weather long ago? They looked at clues in nature such as the color of the sky, the moon and even the way animals behaved.
Red sky at night is about the weather folklore and has tons of sayings that some of us know and remember today.
The illustrations are vivid and vibrant and the book is extremely informational and perfect for every home and children who love nature and the weather. AGE 4-8
THE BIG BED
“Hey Dad, we need to talk,” says a little girl who isn’t happy that her daddy is sleeping in “the big bed” with her mommy.
In Bunmi Laditan’s THE BIG BED, a girl refuses to share her mommy’s bed with her daddy.
She has a meeting with him explaining why it’s in his best interest to sleep somewhere else.
In order for him to not feel bad, she provides ideas and solutions that she has written on her little whiteboard and even tries to reassure him she just wants him to be happy.
This book is hilarious and is written in the child’s point of view.
It is a funny way of showing how children may express themselves when dealing with issues that affect them. They are very territorial with their mommies.
THE BIG BED also shows parents what can happen when they allow children to sleep in their beds and how children feel after they start sleeping on their own.
The illustrations by Tom Knight are stunning and colorful, and blends well with the nature of the book. AGE 4-8
WHERE DO STEAM TRAINS SLEEP AT NIGHT?
WHERE DO STEAM TRAINS SLEEP AT NIGHT by Brianna Caplin Sayres is for your little one who loves trains and trucks and things that go. It’s about a curious child, wondering where trains, monorails and other engines sleep.
A RECIPE FOR BEDTIME
Snuggle up with this sweet bedtime book by Peter Bently.
BULLDOZER DREAMS
BULLDOZER DREAMS by Sharon Chriscoe is a cute bedtime book for that little construction head.
NOISY NIGHT
NOISY NIGHT by Mac Barnett is for anyone who lives in an apartment building.
There’s always that one neighbor above you who just don’t sleep the same time you do.
I love love love the illustrations by Brian Biggs. It’s relatable and so colorful. I feel like I’m a neighbor in the building as I read.
They take us up each floor of the building and in every apartment someone is dancing, singing or playing music. There is even a baby cooing and an old man who just wants to SLEEP.
Having noisy neighbors are sometimes annoying, but this book is definitely fun to read before bed. AGE 4-8
WINDOWS
I felt so warm and happy while I was reading WINDOWS by Julia Denos. It’s about a little boy walking his dog through the neighborhood as it gets dark. As he walks, he notices the windows in the buildings and houses and explores their shapes and sizes.
The town goes to sleep however the lights come on and he sees the shadows of the things in the houses through each window.
Julia Denos describes them as “little eyes in the dusk” and a neighborhood of “paper lanterns.” Each window tells a story. There are the two friends who are neighbors, talking to each other through their windows, using a string and tin cans. There are the nosey neighbors and the ones who just want to make sure everything is okay outside. Then there are the flower pots on the windowsill and the cats and animals peeking through. I felt like a little child again, walking through my neighborhood.
It’s a wonderful book, perfect for bedtime, and the illustrations by E.B. Goodale are just amazing. Completely obsessed!! It’s perfect even for grownups. I just love it. AGE 4-8
GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE
GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE by Sherri Duskey Rinker is saying goodnight to all the trucks on the construction site. The crane truck, cement truck and even dump truck are like most children who get ready for bed after a full day’s play. Cement truck washes off just as little kiddies do before bed, then they get cozy under the covers.
Children love trucks and Tom Lichtenheld’s illustrations are vivid and engaging so it can be a brilliant way to get them ready for bed. AGE 4-8
GOOD NIGHT, OCTOPUS
Children’s bedtime routine can be challenging and exhausting, especially after a hard day’s work. Everyone’s tired!! Caleb Burroughs, GOOD NIGHT OCTOPUS, can assist with that.
Children learn that bedtime can be fun and playful and little Octopus makes it easy. It’s very calming and the best part is the colorful illustrations by Emma Randall. AGE 2-4
DORMOUSE DREAMS
DORMOUSE DREAMS by Karma Wilson is such a sweet bedtime book.
BEDTIME BLESSINGS
BEDTIME BLESSINGS by Marianne Richmond is a beautiful bedtime book giving thanks for all the blessings we have.
The illustrations are vibrant and bright and the book is a great way to teach children how to pray and be grateful. The children give thanks for all their blessings as they recap the day. The book is very calming and perfect for getting your little ones settled in. It’s very important to teach children to be thankful.
GOOD NIGHT, GORILLA
We love GOOD NIGHT, GORILLA by Peggy Rathmann. It’s so funny. It features a sneaky little gorilla who snatches a Zookeeper’s keys and unlocks the other cages in the zoo.
The Zookeeper is unaware that the animals are following him home and they go to sleep together in his house. The wife notices, then returns the animals to the zoo, but the little gorilla is too slick for her and sneaks back into bed with them.
This book is so funny and fun to read at bedtime. Children can learn about the animals in the zoo, and the illustrations are full of color and mischief. AGE 3-7
WHEN THE WIND STOPS
As day turns to night and the children get ready for bed, the sun sets and the moon rises.
In WHEN THE WIND STOPS by Charlotte Zolotow, a curious boy wonders why the day has to end and where the sun goes after the moon comes out.
His mother explains that the day doesn’t end, it just starts somewhere else. He then asks where the wind blows too, and where the mountains end, followed by a host of other interesting questions that his mother happily answers.
This book is wonderful and interactive and it gently explains the endless cycle of certain things that children see every day.
The illustrations by Stefano Vitale, make you feel warm and cozy and the vivid colors make it a perfect bedtime story book. AGE 5-9
ON THE NIGHT YOU WERE BORN
The illustrations are warm and calming and is makes a perfect bedtime book.
GO THE FOK TO SLEEP
GO THE F⚪️K TO SLEEP by Adam Mansbach is basically a picture book for parents. It’s about the minor frustrations of putting your little one to bed and keeping them there.
They’re tired but never want to sleep because they’re afraid they’ll miss something. You love them and never say it out loud, but Adam Mansbach knows exactly what every parent is thinking at that point.
The illustrations by Ricardo Cortéz are bright and very articulate. It’s funny, blatantly truthful, and lets parents know that they are not alone in the fight. AGE: ADULT
BED TIME FAVORITES
Bedtime stories help stimulate the mind and help with the sleep preparation.