Bedtime Bookshelf
Nothing beats cuddling in with your little one and enjoying a story as you wind them down for sleep. Reading a bedtime story is a wonderful way to unplug and connect with your child and picture books offer a powerful way for children to learn about the world, explore new concepts and understand their emerging feelings and emotions.
To save you time searching for your next bedtime book, I have curated list of some of our favourites stories that will quickly become your family’s favourites too. From classic tales to modern masterpieces, these are stories that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
While the list is organised into various age ranges, let your bedtime reading experiences be guided by your child’s interests.
We will add a new text to this list each month!
Ages 0 - 1
"It's time for bed, little mouse, little mouse, Darkness is falling all over the house."
‘Time For Bed’ - Mem Fox
A story quick enough that there is always time to squeeze it in before bed.
The repetition and rhythmic nature make this classic a beautiful bedtime read. Babies love consistency and predictability, and this book delivers on both.
I also love the parallels drawn between the baby animals going to sleep in the same way our babies do.
"As the sun sets in the evening sky, say, 'Yaarri Yarraang, goodbye"
'My Little Barlaagany’ - Melissa Greenwood
Follow the journey of a mother with her baby as they travel through the day and into Dreamtime.
Written and illustrated by artist Melissa Greenwood, this bedtime story would make an excellent addition to your bedtime bookshelf.
The vivid colours and patterns on each page are sure to keep babies and toddler alike engaged in this gentle bedtime tale.
It also includes the full Gumbaynggirr translation inside for further sharing of Australia's Aboriginal culture.
Ages 1 - 3
“Follow the magic kiss and watch it become a sleepy yawn!”
‘The Magic Kiss: A Goodnight Journey’
— Bon Balu
Toddlers need to feel safe and secure in order to fall asleep with ease and this text will help you achieve just that.
Follow the journey of a magic kiss while it explores the world before transforming into a beautiful bedtime yawn.
The peaceful scenes of blue are beautifully juxtaposed with pops of orange that will delight and help to peak the interest of your littlest people. And if they are not drawn to the images, they will certainly be entertained by the sound imagery sprinkled throughout.
This is a great text to add to your bedtime ritual.
"When it’s near morning, but everyone is still asleep. I don’t wake them up, because I know what they need."
‘Sleep Through The Night’
- Byll & Beth Stephens
Originally a song by the Teeny Tiny Stevies, it was then re-purposed into a beautiful bedtime story.
Finally an empowering, positive depiction of going to sleep at night. This little gem is a fantastic example of showing kids how to fall asleep and modelling sleep expectations in a really healthy and positive way.
I love that it uses the first person perspective from the child's point-of-view. It not only reinforces how and why human's need sleep, but it gives children actionable advice for what to do when they wake through the night.
I would add this to your bedtime bookshelf from as young as 2 years old. Before then, you can include the lullaby version in your bedtime routine.
Not to mention the stunning illustrations helps reinforce the central message perfectly.
"When the sky grows dark and the moon glows bright everyone goes to sleep..."
'A Book of Sleep' - il Sung Na
A gorgeous little board book which makes for an excellent bedtime read for tiny babies and big siblings alike.
The story explores how various animals sleep living in different environments. It could prompt a great conversation with your toddler about how humans sleep and be a useful tool for exploring what sleep behaviours look like in your house.
The pictures are vibrant, and along with the minimal text on each page it is more likely to keep your little one engaged.
"They give a big kiss, turn out the light, tuck in their tails, and whisper good night."
‘How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?’
- Jane Yolen & Mark Teague
This book is great if you have a little dino lover in your house. It serves as a good introduction to the idea of sleep manners and our expectations at bedtime.
A little fun addition is the name of each dinosaur spelled out and hidden somewhere in the bedroom. Toddlers have a great time trying to seek them out on each page.
A downfall to this book is that it only depicts the dinosaurs behaving well for "Mama" at bedtime, while the father is shown with arms in the air or in his pockets, unsure what to do. I think the 'useless Dad' troup is a little overdone and not fair to the fab dads out there rocking bedtime.
“When the sun’s light is fading and night’s on the rise,it’s time to start yawning your sleepy goodbyes.”
‘How to Make a Bedtime’
- Meg McKinlay and Karen Blair
This book will become an instant classic in your little one's bedtime routine. I love this text for many reasons, but the main one is how to shows our children what a bedtime looks like and more importantly feels like.
Bedtimes can be a time of connection, of comfort and cuddles.
The beautiful end-rhyme of the lines create a sense of anticipation in the same way our little ones anticipate the next stage of the bedtime routine. Kids love consistency and predictability in all its forms.
I especially love that it is not depicting a bedtime battle, or children that are trying to delay bedtime. It is the opposite, a little boy enjoying the comfort that comes with making a bedtime.
Ages 3 - 5
"Even though you can’t see it, you can feel it deep in your heart and know that you are always connected to the ones you love."
'The Invisible String' - Patrice Karst
This is the perfect story for toddlers who are experiencing separation anxiety at bedtime, struggling with missing people or are preparing for a transition to childcare or Kinder.
Help your little one to understand the concepts from the book by holding the opposite ends of a long piece of string while practice saying kind and loving things to one another. As you each say words of love, take turns tugging the string back and forth.
When you tuck them in at night, remind them of the invisible string, using it as a reminder that you are always connected.
"First of all, I'm not even tired!"
‘Don’t Let The Pigeon Stay Up Late’ - Mo Williems
When reading this, suddenly your little one becomes the one responsible for bedtime and they absolutely lap-up the role-reversal at play.
This interactive story will have you both giggling all the way to bedtime. It is a great one for encouraging reading comprehension as your toddler can respond to the pigeons questions and ideas.
Anything by Mo Willams is gold star content.
"Roderick's parents decided to get him a goodnight buddy to help him sleep."
‘Sleepy The Goodnight Buddy’ - Drew Daywalt, Scott Campbell
Sometimes it is nice to read a bedtime book that parents can enjoy as much as kids and I think this one fits the bill.
From the author of 'The Day The Crayons Quit', Daywalt creates some fantastic characters with Roderick, a boy who is reluctant to go to sleep and his new not-so-helpful bedtime buddy, Sleepy.
Children may quickly recognise the delay tactics and bedtime stalling activities of Sleepy and you will both laugh a lot as Roderick becomes more and more frazzled as he tries to get Sleepy down for the night.
There is a great section where Sleepy worries Roderick is angry with him and he has to explain that he is not mad, just tired...can relate.
If you want to read something with a similar theme, but targeted for younger children consider "Beep. Beep. Go To Sleep" by Todd Tarplay.
“Smart is not just ticks and crosses, smart is building boats from boxes.
Painting patterns, wheeling wagons, being mermaids, riding dragons...”
'All The Ways To Be Smart' - Davina Bell
This story sends a powerful message to children that there is no one way to be smart. It is never too early for kids to hear that they each have their own unique talents and skills which are valued and important.
Knowing when to be kind to others or friendly to someone having a hard time is celebrated as a way to be smart.
I have spent 15 years in public education and this message is one that children need to hear over and over again.
Bell's 'Under the Love Umbrella' is also a beautiful story for kids to hear that you will always be their safe space.
"When you are born, you make up a song. It doesn't rhyme, and it isn't long. A song of everything you hold dear. It's your tune, it's loud and clear."
‘A Life Song’ - Jane Godwin & Anna Walker
While this is technically a children's book, I think the nostalgia and opportunity for reflection makes it a special read for parent's too.
The story is lyrical and full of metaphor which explores life's ups and downs and how each of these experiences are all building blocks of your child's unique life.
With messages of being yourself and creating your own special music, 'A Life Song' is targeted to older toddlers and pre-school children. But the rhyming couplets and stunning illustrations will keep younger children engaged.