10 Bedtime Books to Put Your Kiddos to Sleep

Good night, sleep tight

For children under five, a bedtime routine helps them settle down after an active day and get ready for sleep. Performing rituals like bath time, brushing teeth, kissing teddies goodnight, gives comfort and familiarity after the whirlwind of new discoveries that daytime brings.

Story time is our favourite part of the bedtime routine. It gives a chance for you to cuddle up with your child and enter wonderful story lands, whether new or familiar.

Some books encourage fun, play and learning and are best kept for daytime. A gently, more soothing read leads on perfectly to your child’s bed time. Here we have chosen ten books that all end with the characters tucked up in bed, ready for sleep.

Perhaps you’d like to visit a magical dream land with The Magic Beach, Kissed By the Moon, or Time Now To Dream? Maybe you’d prefer to visit more familiar scenes from family and home life with Dogger, Peepo or Goodnight Moon. Or are animals more your thing? If so try The Gruffalo’s Child, Rabbit’s Nap, Guess How Much I Love You or Time For Bed.

Hopefully you’ll soon have your child happily drifting off into dreams, and a quiet evening kept only for adults. Click through our slideshow to see our top 10 picks!

Happy reading, mamas!

We all love a fun rhyming book and Magic Beach offers just that with beautifully illustrated pictures on each page bringing your child’s eyes to varying scenes of a beach. From swimming to surfing and sand castles, this picture book will make you wish for warm summer days.

A true classic loved by many generations, Goodnight Moon brings readers into the green room where a little bunny is tucked into bed. Follow along as the bunny says goodnight to different objects in the room. The beautiful poetry will lull your little one asleep.

The love between a boy and his stuffed dog has been read over the years as it was first published as David and Dog. The classic is a heartwarming story about how lost things can be found. Three cheers for happy endings!

Children’s author and literary genius, Mem Fox brings us a beautiful story about night fall and little ones getting drowsy and comfortable ready for bed. Time for Bed is the perfect snuggle up picture book with your littles which will end with big hugs and sweet dreams.

Australian Children’s Laureate author, Alison Lester writes the lullaby, Kissed by the Moon as parents every where repeat the beautiful words and wishes of a good night sleep. “May you, my baby, sleep softly at night, and when dawn lights the world, may you wake up to birdsong.”

A great one to read with siblings, Time Now to Dream, follows a curious older sister and her shy younger brother into an evening adventure into the forest. Their discovery and their way back home safe to bed will have little ones dreaming of their own adventures.

This interactive book with fun flaps and rhyming text will have your kiddos helping Fox find his missing sock and what sounds are keeping Rabbit from sleeping. They’ll love helping the characters solve the mystery!

Perfect for babies, Peepo! is a great baby shower gift for new mamas. The fun story follows a baby through the day as the pages are filled with a series of holes leading to the next page. Follow the hints for what’s to come!

Following the popular book, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, comes the next story in the two part series of The Gruffalo’s Child. Follow his mini me as she ventures out into the deep dark woods to see if the Big Bad Mouse really does exist.

Little Nutbrown Hare shares with his dad just how much he loves him. His dad, Big Nutbrown Hare goes beyond all that his son has shared and expresses the depth of how much he loves his son. This classic will leave everyone with warm fuzzies to end a long day.