Bedtime Books

Last updated: April 20, 2026

Books are a great part of kids' bedtime rituals. Here are some wonderful stories, from funny to cozy, classics to contemporary, that will get kids in the mood and help them settle down and drift off to slumberland at naptime or nighttime. For more great books for little ones check out our Read-Aloud Books and Best Books for Toddlers.

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A Book of Sleep Poster Image

BOOK

A Book of Sleep

age 2+

Gorgeous, enchanting bedtime read.

Il Sung Na Animals (2009)

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Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? Poster Image

BOOK

Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?

age 2+

As reassuring as a goodnight hug.

Martin Waddell Picture Book (1988)

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Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! Poster Image

BOOK

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!

age 2+

The perfect go-to-bed book for stalling kids.

Mo Willems Picture Book (2006)

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Goodnight Moon Poster Image

BOOK

Goodnight Moon

age 2+

Ultimate going-to-bed book has stood the test of time.

Margaret Wise Brown Picture Book (1947)

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Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site Poster Image

BOOK

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

age 2+

Charming bedtime book is magic for truck lovers.

Sherri Duskey Rinker Picture Book (2011)

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Guess How Much I Love You Poster Image

BOOK

Guess How Much I Love You

age 2+

Sentimental bunny tale tugs on the heartstrings.

Sam McBratney Family Life (1996)

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Harold and the Purple Crayon Poster Image

BOOK

Harold and the Purple Crayon

age 2+

Imagination reigns in timeless classic about drawing boy.

Crockett Johnson Picture Book (1955)

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I'm Not Sleepy! ¡No Tengo Sueño! book cover: Bluebird and orange T-Rex main wear pajamas and stand in front of a large moon

BOOK

I'm Not Sleepy! ¡No Tengo Sueño!: Lolo and Birdie, Book 2

age 2+

Bilingual, comical bedtime adventure of an unlikely duo.

Angela Dominguez Picture Book (2023)

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Love Under The Stars book cover: Two owls sitting on a tree branch with a night sky background

BOOK

Love Under the Stars: A Love in the Wild Book

age 2+

Nighttime animals rule in stunning book of rhymes.

Katy Tanis Picture Book (2024)

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Off to See the Sea Poster Image

BOOK

Off to See the Sea

age 2+

Charming bath time book shows the power of pretend.

Nikki Grimes Picture Book (2021)

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Red Sled Poster Image

BOOK

Red Sled

age 2+

Inspired, silly sledding romp perfect for winter bedtime.

Lita Judge Picture Book (2011)

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The Going to Bed Book Poster Image

BOOK

The Going to Bed Book

age 2+

Sweet, silly board book makes bedtime fun and cozy.

Sandra Boynton Board (1982)

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The House in the Night book cover: A house in the middle of the dark forest below the moon with a face

BOOK

The House in the Night

age 2+

Beautiful bedtime book sparks kids' sense of wonder.

Susan Marie Swanson Picture Book (2011)

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The Runaway Bunny Poster Image

BOOK

The Runaway Bunny

age 2+

Sweet, imaginative story makes little ones feel secure.

Margaret Wise Brown Picture Book (1942)

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Your Forest book cover: A brown house, green tree, yellow sun, grey rock, and blue water drawn in a block style

BOOK

Your Places Series

age 2+

Series promotes comfort & imagination in safe spaces.

Jon Klassen Board (2025)

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Your Truck book cover: A red truck with eyes for headlights on a white background

BOOK

Your Truck: Your Things Series

age 2+

Deceptively simple, utterly charming truck bedtime book.

Jon Klassen Board (2026)

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A Big Mooncake for Little Star Poster Image

BOOK

A Big Mooncake for Little Star

age 3+

Girl sneaks nibbles, mooncake wanes in cozy bedtime charmer.

Grace Lin Picture Book (2018)

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A Parade of Elephants Poster Image

BOOK

A Parade of Elephants

age 3+

Sweet, cozy counting book teaches basic preschool concepts.

Kevin Henkes Picture Book (2018)

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Bedtime for Sweet Creatures Poster Image

BOOK

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures

age 3+

Lovely, relatable story of toddler delaying going to sleep.

Nikki Grimes Picture Book (2020)

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Goodnight, Numbers Poster Image

BOOK

Goodnight, Numbers

age 3+

Rhyming bedtime book has sweet art and lots to count.

Danica McKellar Picture Book (2017)

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