great-bedtime-books-for-kids
By Tonya Brisnehan
In Amazing Product Lists
8 min read

Top 10 Bedtime Books

Best Books to Read With Kids at Bedtime

Treat your child to a story every night before bed to help the little one sleep peacefully…and learn more about the joys of reading. The top 10 bedtime books are all about going to sleep and the wonderful world of dreams.

Take your child on an adventure to where the wild things are, or the rhyming world of Dr. Seuss. Read the classic Goodnight Moon story before bedtime, or The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton. Each story helps your child relax, unwind, and dream beautiful dreams. It also instills them with a love of books and encourages them to read more during waking hours. Reading offers a host of outstanding perks that benefit childhood development and ready young ones for school. Whether helping them say goodnight to the moon or learn why dreams let them play in their own special worlds, the top 10 bedtime books is a must.

What’s here: This fantastic compilation of the 10 best children’s bedtime books was created by real moms and educators who enjoyed these books themselves or taught them in class. Numerous types and themes of books are included in the list to keep your youngin’ stimulated.

For shoppers: Purchasing any of these high-quality book options is easy–just visit Amazon! Please note that we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.  Also note that our recommendations are 100% made because we love the companies and products and are never influenced in any way by any commission we may receive.

What’s Here:

1. The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
2. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
3. If Animals Kissed Good Night by Ann Whitford Paul
4. The Goodnight Train by June Sobel
5. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
6. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
7. Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
8. Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book by Dr. Seuss
9. Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton
10. Time for Bed by Mem Fox

Top 10 Bedtime Books:

1. The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

In first place for 2017 of the top 10 bedtime books for kids is The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton.

Clever and cute, this classic bedtime book is about a slew of animals and their bedtime routines. Of course, there is teeth brushing, stretching, showering, and lots-a fun, silly rhymes along the way. Lovin’ the adorable, colorful illustrations of piggies!

This wonderfully-goofy book is ideal for little ‘uns who get fussy about going to bed. It not only shows them that everyone has to go bed, including animal friends, but also that everyone has their own bedtime routines! The story may inspire your kiddo to create a personal bedtime routine that makes saying nighty-night fun and special.

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2. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Goodnight MoonNext among the best bedtime books for 2017 is Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.

Before my son was born, I received Goodnight Moon from a beloved friend. After he was born, that book became our own personal bedtime routine. He loves the pictures, especially the brightness of the red carpet and green room. I love the story itself—a bunny saying goodnight to everything. It is a heartwarming, lovely tale that has become a true children’s classic. After all, who can resist an adorable bunny rabbit saying goodnight to everything? Celebrated as one of the best bedtime stories ever, this book may become part of your child’s night-night routine!

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3. If Animals Kissed Good Night by Ann Whitford Paul

If Animals Kissed Good Night by Ann Whitford Paul comes in at third on the list.

One night at bedtime, a girl asks her mom, “How do animal families say goodnight?” Her mom creates a vivid, beautiful story about animals kissing their kiddos goodnight. From howls and growls, to nuzzles and cuddles, this book weaves a wonderful tale using singsong rhymes.

Available in board book format, this delightful story features fabulous illustrations and easily helps your child say goodnight. Read it to provide your little one with a great sense of comfort as he or she drifts off into the land of dreams.

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4. The Goodnight Train by June Sobel

The Goodnight TrainThe Goodnight Train by June Sobel also makes it to the “best of” bedtime books for kids this year.

The Goodnight Train is one of my all-time favorite bedtime books. The words are written like lullabies—slow, sweet rhymes with soothing, lyrical tones. Mermaids, sheep, and clouds made of ice cream. This is exactly what dreamland would look like. Enjoy reading it with your child…and don’t be surprised if you start to doze off yourself! Add it to your bedtime story collection today…it might become one of your youngling’s favorite stories to read with you by night light!

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5. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Guess How Much I Love YouOne of my personal favorites – Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney marks its spot at #5 of the ten best children’s beditme books.

Little Nutbrown Hare tells his daddy, “Guess how much I love you.” From there begins an adorable “love” battle where one outdoes the other with professions of how much they love one another. Awwwww. This is a cute, silly, colorful story sure to delight both you and your child. Enjoy reading it and making up your own stories about how much you love your little ‘un! It is beautifully-illustrated too.

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6. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Where the Wild Things AreNext up on the list – Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.

Max is a bit of a grump tonight. So much so that his mom sends him to bed without supper. To get back at her, he embarks on a boat to an islands Where the Wild Things Are. However, he begins to miss his home. Let the wild rumpus start!

A fantastical, classic tale filled with some of the most well-known children’s book illustrations of all time, do not be shocked if Where the Wild Things Are becomes a bedtime staple in your house. Max’s return home at the end of the story is particularly sweet, as he finds his supper waiting for him in his room. There is nothing not to love about this timeless story.

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7. Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama Red Pajama Looking good at #7 of the top children’s bedtime books for 2017 – Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney.

Llama Llama is headed to bed, but he needs his Mama Llama to tuck him in. When Mama Llama goes downstairs for a while, Baby Llama worries. His worries turn into yells for Mama Llama. Of course, she returns to comfort and tuck her little Llama in for the night.

The perfect story for the little one who need plenty of comfort before visiting the land of slumber (and really, what child doesn’t?), it will also resonate with you as a parent. Mama Llama’s lovely message to her little llama will surely give your child the peace he/she needs when going to bed.

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8. Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book by Dr. Seuss

Dr Seuss's Sleep BookDr. Seuss’s Sleep Book makes it to #8 of the best bedtime books this year.

In classic Seussian rhymes, the Sleep Book is about Van Vleck—a tiny bug who yawns. And yawns…and yawns some more, until his yawn sets off a sequence of yawns….because yawns are contagious, you know. What a silly lullaby!

You’ll find references to snoring, alarms, and sleepwalking in this sleepy bedtime tale that makes a great addition to your Dr. Seuss collection.  The rhymes are specifically designed to help your little ‘un drift off…and don’t be surprised if you start yawning yourself!

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9. Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton

Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton also makes it to the list.

Pajama TimePajama Time combines what we all love…PJs and bedtime. Woohoo! This book is about heaps of sleepy animals in their pajamas. There are piggies in striped jammers, a Scottish terrier in plaid PJs, and an elephant in a furry one-piece. How adorable is that??

Another wonderful rhyming story, it is ideal for helping your kiddo get excited for changing into his/her jammies and visiting the land of dreams. The book will easily become a favorite at your house.

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10. Time for Bed by Mem Fox

Time for BedThe final item on the list of the top 10 bedtime books for kids this year is Time for Bed by Mem Fox. It may be last, but it is hardly least.

Little mice, little geese, little kittens…all of the little animals of the world are ready for bed. Told in gentle, soothing rhymes, this book is peaceful in verse with beautiful illustrations. Quite an amazing little lullaby tale for sleepy youngsters. The illustrations are beautiful besides. It is guaranteed to be a bedtime hit!

“Working beautifully with the soothingly repetitive text, each painting conveys a warm feeling of safety and affection.”–School Library Journal

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Update note: This page was modified to reflect current information on 05/21/16.