9 Great Bedtime Stories for Kids

Reading is one of the most important things you can do with your children. It helps expand their vocabularies and imaginations, and build attention spans and listening skills.

Bedtime stories are especially important. As part of a set bedtime routine, reading books before bed can cue your children to know that bedtime is near, and the right calming stories can settle them down and help them transition into sleepiness. Wondering what the right story might be? These bed-themed books are ideal for helping kids of all ages appreciate sleep and the value of a good night’s rest, whether your child likes fairy tales, construction vehicles, animals, or something only they can dream up.

The Tossy-Turny Princess and the Pesky Pea: A Fairy Tale to Help You Fall Asleep

In the original fairy tale version of “The Princess and the Pea,” our heroine suffered silently through a sleepless night. This clever update features a princess who knows the value of good sleep — “Once upon a time there was a princess who loved to sleep,” it begins — so when a pea gets in her way, she doesn’t just toss and turn, she seeks out better bedding and healthy habits to help her get those Z’s. In addition to being a fun read, the book includes techniques to help kids wind down, and the payoff of great rest is a true happily ever after.

For ages 4-8 years old
Available on bookshop.org

Arlo the Lion Who Couldn't Sleep

Anyone who's tossed and turned will appreciate the plight of Arlo, a savannah lion who just can't fall asleep. Luckily a wise owl swoops into this calming, sweet book with a meditation mantra that helps Arlo — and young readers — relax into drowsiness and, ultimately, sleep.

For ages 4-10 years old
Available on bookshop.org

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

Dealing with a kid who doesn’t exactly dig bedtime? This clever rhyming book shares that even the toughest, mightiest construction vehicles need a good night’s sleep. Over the course of the book, you bid “night-night” to a cement mixer, a dump truck, a bulldozer, a crane truck, and an excavator, who are all exhausted from working with “all their might,” and are excited to get some sleep so they can wake up and take on the next day.

For ages 3-5 years old
Available on bookshop.org

Steam Train, Dream Train

Another lyrical tale from the author of the “Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site” series, this book takes children through the various cars of a train of dreams. This includes cars with dinosaurs, race cars, animals, and ice cream.

For ages 1-3 years old
Available on bookshop.org

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Dealing with bedtime anxiety? This sweet rhyming story spotlights a little llama with an overactive imagination. Luckily, Mama Llama comes to reassure him with the perfect conclusion, which is one I use with my own toddler: “Little Llama, don't you know Mama Llama loves you so? Mama Llama's always near even if she's not right here.” And with those words, he drifts off to sleep. The book has grown into a full series with a Netflix show, and other titles address other big feelings and fears.

For ages 1-3 years old
Available on bookshop.org

Goodnight Already

A bear and his neighbor, Duck, have opposite ideas of how to spend an evening in this quick, funny bedtime book. As Bear gleefully prepares for a night of great sleep, Duck drops in with new and increasingly hilarious ideas for things he wants to do, resulting in a surprise twist.

For ages 2-6 years old
Available on bookshop.org

If Animals Kissed Good Night

This fun, light book imagines how different animals would kiss each other good night the way people do. Scattered through imagined routines of giraffes, wolves, and elephants is one pair of very slow sloths, slowly settling in for the night.

For ages 2-4 years old
Available on bookshop.org

Goodnight Moon

No bedtime bookshelf is complete without this simple, lullaby-like classic. First published 75 years ago, in 1947, “Goodnight Moon” takes children through the ritual of bidding goodnight to various critters and items in a great green room. Little children will appreciate the simple lulling of the whispered “hush,” while older children will appreciate seeking out the little mouse hiding on each page.

For ages 0-5 years old
Available on bookshop.org

Time for Bed

This sweet, simple bedtime story travels through the animal and human world, bidding goodnight to all sorts of young creatures with observations about the transition to nighttime. Some pages have sweet questions, like asking the little calf, "What happened today that made you laugh?" The questions and guidance rhyme with a soothing rhythm that's ideal as a wind-down narrative set to beautiful illustrations by Jane Dyer.

For ages 0-4 years old
Available on bookshop.org