Bedtime can bring all kinds of big feelings for little ones. Some children suddenly find a burst of energy just as it’s time to turn out the lights, while others have worries, fears, or a growing list of reasons they aren’t quite ready to sleep. Sometimes, the best way to shift the mood is with a cozy spot, a little extra connection, and a really good bedtime story. A soothing book can help children slow down, settle their bodies, and make the transition from busy daytime to bedtime feel a little easier. These are some of our favorite bedtime books for kids for kids who have trouble at bedtime.
1.) If the Moon by Matthew Burgess
With colorful, imaginative illustrations and soothing, lyrical rhymes, If the Moon turns the transition from awake time to sleep into something peaceful and comforting. The gentle rhythm of the words makes this a wonderful book to read as your child’s body begins to slow down for the night. Don’t be surprised if your little one starts getting sleepy before you even reach the last page!
2.) Sleep Like a Tiger by Mary Logue
When a little girl insists that she isn’t tired, her parents don’t argue with her. Instead, they invite her to think about all the different ways animals prepare their bodies for sleep. As she imagines herself resting like the animals—and eventually sleeping like a tiger—she begins to relax and drift off. We especially love this book for the child who always insists they aren’t tired! It gives children a simple and imaginative way to think about getting their bodies ready for rest without making bedtime feel like a battle. And the beautiful, unusual illustrations give little ones plenty to explore while they’re settling in.
3.) 500 Dreams: A Bedtime Seek and Find by Jennifer Eckford
What could be better than ending the day by searching for things that might inspire sweet dreams?500 Dreams is a beautiful bedtime seek-and-find filled with stunning illustrations, hidden objects, and 500 ideas to spark your child’s imagination. It’s a fun way to make bedtime feel exciting while encouraging your child to think about all the wonderful things they might dream about once they fall asleep.
4.) All the Awake Animals are Almost Asleep by Crescent Dragonwagon
This is the perfect ABC bedtime book for little animal lovers. When a little boy tells his mother that he isn’t tired, she reminds him of all the animals—from A to Z—that are also getting ready to settle down for the night. The gentle, rhythmic text and parade of sleepy animals make this a wonderful book for creating a predictable and calming bedtime routine. It’s also a great choice for children who love animals and enjoy having something familiar to look forward to at bedtime.
5.) The Dreams I’ll Dream Tonight by Sarah Ruhl
For children who worry about nightmares or scary dreams, The Dreams I’ll Dream Tonight offers a beautiful way to think about bedtime worries. As a little boy prepares for bed, he begins imagining all of the scary things he could dream about. But instead of letting those worries take over, he decides what he wants to dream about instead—choosing happy, comforting images like kittens and his family. We love the simple idea at the heart of this story: What if we focus on the dreams we hope to have instead of worrying about the dreams we don’t want? It gives children a positive little bedtime exercise they can use as they settle down for the night.
6.) Where the Wee Ones Go by Karen Jameson
Where the Wee Ones Go beautifully combines baby animals, their natural habitats, and the comforting feeling of being tucked in and loved.With peaceful illustrations and gentle rhymes, children can follow baby animals as they settle into their nighttime routines and get ready for sleep.It’s a beautiful choice for the end of the day and one your little one may ask for again and again. There’s something especially comforting about seeing all of those little animals safely settling down for the night.
Whether your child fights bedtime, worries about nightmares, or simply needs a little extra help settling down, a good bedtime book can do more than prepare them for sleep. It can give you a few quiet minutes to reconnect after a busy day, cuddle close, and create a predictable rhythm that helps your child feel safe and ready for rest. So turn down the lights, snuggle up, and let a good story be the final little bit of magic in your child’s day.
Looking to make finding really good books for your child as easy as possible? Check out Beloved Books, my monthly love letter to young readers that delivers age-based book lists right to your inbox each month!
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Written by Becca Thiemann and Kathleen Koester
