Bedtime Books

Book Buzz is a blog produced in collaboration with neighborhood librarians from Houston Public Library, Harris County Public Library and the Bellaire Library.

Reading to children is an important part of preparing them to be readers and reading at bedtime is the perfect end to your child’s day. Sharing books at bedtime is a wonderful bonding experience that readies children for sleep with a feeling of being safe and loved. Here are a few favorite books that are perfect bedtime reads for you to snuggle up and share with your young one.

Three classic bedtime books that remain popular today are Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, The Napping House by Audrey Wood and In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak. Some new titles bound to become classics are Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker and How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen. Add some favorite characters to your bedtime ritual with Llama, Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney, Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann and Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late by Mo Willems. Oh that pesky pigeon, of course he doesn’t want to go to bed!

For a gentle wind down story pick up Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson or Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest. And remember that reading to your child is a special time that creates closeness as you sit or lay together sharing a story. Read slowly so that your child has time to look at the pictures and take in the story. Talk about the book afterwards and don’t be surprised if your child wants to read the same books over and over again. 

A few more bedtime books include:

• Counting Kisses by Karen Katz
• Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
• Olivia and the Missing Toy by Ian Falconer
• Good Night Yoga by Mariam Yates
• Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow

Visit your local public library for more recommendations and don’t forget to check your local library’s schedule for free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

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