The Best Bedtime Stories for Kids

Ms. Rachel makes bedtime the best time! Full of songs and tips, this calming and gentle story helps littles and their grown-ups create and follow a nighttime routine that everyone will love. Includes a tear-out poster with Ms. Rachel’s special bedtime-routine checklist!

Ages 0 – 3

Let’s get ready for bed! Can you help The Very Hungry Caterpillar seek out sleepytime essentials like a toothbrush, blanket, and teddy bear? Filled with Eric Carle’s fun and colorful art, this engaging board book encourages visual acuity as young readers locate bedtime necessities hidden among other objects before winding down for the night.

Ages 1 – 3

Llama Llama learns to face the bedtime blues in this charmingly written picture book classic, perfect for sending little ones off to sleep.

Ages 2 – 5

How to get baby to sleep? Mami and Papi will try anything in this bouncy, loving, bilingual lullaby that gently says good night in both Spanish and English.

Ages 3 – 7

The magic and wonder of winter’s first snowfall is perfectly captured in Ezra Jack Keat’s Caldecott Medal-winning picture book. This celebrated classic has been shared by generations of readers and listeners, a must-have for every child’s bookshelf and a perfect gift for the holiday season.

Ages 0 – 2

On Christmas Eve, Clara is given a special gift from her Godfather – a beautiful nutcracker doll. But when Clara awakes in the middle of the night, she finds her beloved nutcracker has transformed into a handsome prince, and together, they set off for the Land of Sweets.

Ages 0 – 2

Ring in the holidays with festive search-and-find fun in this Christmas tree-shaped board book perfect for fans of The Very Hungry Caterpillar! This is the perfect addition to every child’s library and a wonderful gift for the holidays.

Ages 0 – 3

Jim Panzee, our favorite grumpy monkey, is feeling like quite the Scrooge this holiday season! It’s Christmas time in the jungle, and Jim just can’t get into the holiday spirit. But with his good friend Norman’s help, Jim discovers that focusing on the good things around him instead of his own problems, is a reason to celebrate.

Ages 3 – 7

In this beautiful, deeply moving poem, Maya Angelou inspires us to embrace the peace and promise of Christmas, so that hope and love can once again light up our holidays and the world. “Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers, look heavenward,” she writes, “and speak the word aloud. Peace.”

Ages 4 – 8

Read a bedtime story with Bluey, Mum, and Unicorse! Bluey doesn’t want to go to bed, so Mum decides to read her a story, when they’re interrupted by Unicorse, the most annoying unicorn in the world. Will Bluey and Mum finish the bedtime story? Read along to find out!

Ages 3 -5 

Come on a dream-filled adventure with Bluey and Bingo in this special picture book with fold-out pages! It’s sleepytime at the Heeler house! Bingo wants to do a Big Girl sleep. As she drifts away into a dreamy adventure with Flopsy, will Bingo make it through the night and wake up in her own bed?

Ages 4 – 8

Nature, nature everywhere! Explore the natural world with Peppa and her family in this charming picture book featuring a “fun facts” coloring poster. prinkled throughout with engaging facts, this sweet adventure offers an irresistible invitation for Peppa fans to discover the natural world outside their door.

Ages 2 – 5

On a beautiful day, Peppa gets to do all of her favorite things: ride in the car, have a picnic, play with friends — and there’s a surprise, too! Press out the characters of Peppa, her family, and her friends and add them to removable pop-up vehicles.

Ages 3 – 7

Not all questions have answers. Some have more than one answer. And others have endless answers, unfolding out to the edges of the world. Intriguing, richly interactive, and brought to vivid life by Caldecott Honor recipient Christian Robinson’s bright and whimsical illustrations, Twenty Questions is a charming invitation to speculate without limits and know no bounds.

Ages 2 – 5

Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body positivity should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.

Ages 2 – 5 

We all have moments every day where we can use a little help. Some are small, like waking up for school or getting along with a sibling. Others are big, like helping to save the planet and all its creatures —especially sloths! But asking God for help always brings us the strength to get through anything. Emme Muñiz shares her own daily prayers to offer families a way to embrace the peace and power of everyday faith.

Ages 3 – 7

It’s up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hair style in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters, from Academy-Award winning director and former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry and New York Times bestselling illustrator Vashti Harrison.

Ages 4 – 8

Juno’s grandmother writes in Korean and Juno writes in drawings, but that doesn’t mean they can’t exchange letters. From the photo his grandmother sends him, Juno can tell that she has a new cat. From the picture he makes for her, Juno’s grandmother can tell that he wants her to come for a visit. So she sends Juno a miniature plane, to let him know she’s on the way. This tender tale won the author an Ezra Jack Keats award, and is a perfect introduction to the concept of foreign cultures and far-off lands.

Ages 3 -7

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the author of Just Ask! shares a sweet and powerful tale inspired by her own mother’s story. How will being true to yourself and shining your brightest help other people shine?

Ages 4 – 8

A unique twist on a bedtime story, this gorgeously illustrated book is the perfect comfort for any child who’s curious about what goes on at night. This soothing and immersive bedtime story is an invitation for little ones to learn all about nature’s nocturnal creatures, and provides comfort for those who have ever wondered what happens while they sleep.

Ages 0 – 3

Take a bedtime journey with the New York Times bestselling author of The Wonderful Things You Will Be and discover the adventures that await while you dream! Snuggle into bed and discover what your dream animal might be and where it could take you! Could it be a bear who brings you to bake pastries? A fox who ushers you into a magical forest? Mermaids with whom you can sip tea?

Ages 0 – 3

With a spare, soothing text and beautifully rich and textured illustrations of a starry night, this is the perfect “book of sleep.” Join the owl on his moonlit journey as he watches all the other animals settle in for the night: some sleep standing up, while some sleep on the move! Some sleep peacefully alone, while others sleep all together, huddled close.

Ages 0 – 3