I love reading to my kids but when I’m looking for new books it can be hard to separate the great books that you and your kids will both love from the not so good books. To add to our list of books we love,, I’m combing through some lists of the best children’s books, picking out some books and trying them out. The books below all come highly recommended either by one of the lists at the bottom of the post or by my family.
This week we’re reading through 6 bedtime books – 5 recommended by at least one top 100 list and one that my son and I loved reading again and again at bedtime. Bedtime is a very popular topic for kids books so I’ve decided to do two posts, this one includes books great for toddlers the 2nd will include books great for preschoolers.
1982 Sandra Boynton – I was surprised to find that this book was written in 1982 – it certainly wasn’t part of my childhood. It was a bedtime staple for my son when he was a toddler though. A perfect mix of fun and a gentle introduction to sleep. I never got tired of reading it.
Margaret Wise Wood 1947 – This book is undisputedly a classic and you will find it on almost every list of the best children’s books. My mom doesn’t like this book so I hadn’t read it until I was an adult. If you can get the right cadence (which is turns out my mom can’t) this book will gently rock your child right to sleep. We’ve read this book again and again at bedtime.
3. Counting Kisses: A Kiss & Read Book
Karen Katz 2001 – I’m going to be honest – I hate reading this book. I love the concept of kissing your baby to sleep, but Aside from the 10 little toes find the number arbitrary and awkward. I had bought this book when Gordie was little and ended up giving it away I disliked it so much. I got it out of the library so I could take another look at it for this post and it’s even worse reading it to a 3 year old! He giggles and wiggles and that might be fun if it wasn’t supposed to be a get ready for sleep book. Gordie on the other hand thought it was great, loved the counting and the tickly kisses. That makes one of us.
4. Time for Bed
5. Good Night, Gorilla board book
Peggy Rathmann 1994 – This book uses few words and the pictures to tell the story of zoo animals who sneak out of the zoo and follow the zoo keeper home. I am not a fan of this book for little kids. Although the words are simple, too much needs to be explained for them to follow the story. I think it would be better for kids just learning to read.
6. Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball
Vicky Churchill 2001 – This book wasn’t on any of the lists I looked at, but it has definitely been one of our bed time favorites. It was perfect for my active boy, full of lots of action words to keep him interested but not too riled up. My mom would also like you to know that even though she cannot read Goodnight Moon properly, she did find me this book.
Our Favorite Tried and Tested Toddler Bedtime Books :
1. The Going-To-Bed Book
2. Goodnight Moon
3. Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball
I didn’t add any new books to our best books list this time around. But we did have fun trying some new books out.
Book Lists
Children’s Book Guide top 100 Children’s Books:
The Going to Bed Book, Good Night Moon, Counting Kisses, Time for Bed, Goodnight Gorilla,
Babble’s top 100 kids books:
The Going to Bed Book, Goodnight Moon
Teachers First 100 Best Books:
Goodnight Moon
Kern Country Library 100 Picture Books Every Child Should Know:
Goodnight Moon
New York Public LIbrary 100 Picture Books Every Child Should Know:
Goodnight Moon, Good Night Gorilla
Goodreads Best Children’s Books (top 300): Goodnight Moon, Goodnight Gorilla, The Going To Bed Book, Time for Bed,
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