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Parents' Guide to

Bedtime Stories

By Daniel Thorne, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Toddler-aimed DVD is gentle as a lullaby.

Movie NR 1998 44 minutes
Bedtime Stories Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

Sometimes getting to sleep requires heroic measures. Produced by Time-Life Kids and featuring an excellent soundtrack and talented narrators, this cute collection of eight animated children's tales may help kids (and parents) have an easier time. Children will join little animal friends who struggle with getting ready for bed and falling asleep. (This collection is not designed to be viewed in a single setting, and indeed, the repetitiveness of the themes make episodic viewing most appropriate.)

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Children will find the little animal friends amusing and endearing. The opening stories, "Dad! I Can't Sleep" and "Bedtime Story," are the most clever on the video. "Get Into Bed," "Go To Sleep," "Little Princess' Bedtime," and "Sleep Tight" are enjoyable, but all teach very similar lessons about the importance of rest. Seventh in the collection, "I'm Not Sleepy," will captivate few kids. It's an attempt to identify children's tactics to avoid bed, but the uninteresting story rambles to no real end.

In the last cartoon, "Goodnight Everyone," a small boy's wild imagination brings his toys, his toothpaste, and even the moon to life as he tells them goodnight. This charming cartoon will bring a smile (and hopefully a yawn) to their faces.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the importance of getting to bed on time and getting enough sleep. Also, are there things parents and kids can do to make the process of getting to bed easier for everyone in the family?

Movie Details

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