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At bedtime children often look for security and love cuddling up with parents and books. They are usually tired enough to stay in one place. However, some hyperactive children listen best while they are soaking and swishing in the bathtub. Wherever you choose to read aloud, turn off the television, get comfortable, have a good light, and enjoy a good book together.

10 Minutes Till Bedtime, written & illus. by Peggy Rathman, (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1998),
32p, Ages 3-7.
A little boy's pet hamster has advertised a special 10-minute bedtime tour at #1 Hoppin Place. Unbeknownst to the boy and his father, this enterprising pet directs carloads and busloads of vacationing hamsters into the kitchen for a snack, the bathroom for tooth brushing, and to the bedroom for a story. When dad finally announces "Bedtime!", the group clears out, except for a family of hamsters who decide to stay.

28 Good Night Stories, written by Various Authors, Concept/Connecting Story by Brigitte Weninger, illus. by Eve Tharlet/J. P. Corderoch, translated by Kathryn Bishop, (miniedition, 2008), 128p, Ages 3-5.
A small guardian angel-in-training and an old bear agree to tell each other bedtime stories for twenty-eight days. The little angel's assignment is to give a special word to his sleeping child each night. He also desires to pass on stories to the children, and bear helps him in this endeavor. They tell each other stories about cloud children, a small hippo that yearns to be a pilot with a red helmet, a white elephant and old man who watch the stars together, plus twenty-five additional stories that will capture the hearts of children. In between the stories, the old bear and little angel discuss outer space, heavenly elephants, shy bears, grasshoppers (tweeter-machines), guardian angels, planets, constellations, and snoring-subjects which usually lead into the next story. As always, Eve Tharlet's illustrations are delightful.

Animals Asleep, written by Sneed B. Collard III, illus. by Anik McGrory, (Houghton Mifflin, 2004), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Animals, just like humans, have a biological need for sleep in many different ways. A Sooty Tern (an island bird) takes a nap in midair. A Bottlenose Dolphin puts half of its brain to sleep while swimming. These are only a few of the many unusual animals that have remarkable sleep habits.

Little Hoot, written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus. by Jen Corace, (Chronicle Books, 2008), 36p, Ages 3-6.
Little Owl loves school, playing hide-and-seek, and practicing his staring. However, when it comes to bedtime, Mama and Papa Owl have a difficult time convincing Little Owl to stay up instead of going to bed. In a clever role reversal, Little Owl complains, "All my other friends get to go to bed so much earlier than me! Why do I always have to stay up and play? It's not fair!" Little Owl spends all night jumping on his bed, playing swords, climbing on the jungle gym, building a fort, and jumping in the leaves, until at last he falls exhausted into bed. Children who dislike going to bed will appreciate this twist on a universal problem.

Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep, written/illus. by Rob Scotton, (HarperFestival, 2007), 16p,
Ages 2-5.
In this comical tale of animal insomnia, Russell tries everything that he can think of to fall asleep. Nothing works. In desperation, he decides to count sheep. By the time he counts to ten (ten being himself), "Russell felt a tickle, then a twitch, and then . . . sound asleep." Abridged from Russell the Sheep and now in board book format, young children will love this fluffy-looking sheep with his wide eyes, long, blue and white striped hat, toothpick legs, hilarious expressions, as well as the snoring sounds when the last page is turned.

Good Night Sam, written & illus. by Marie-Louise Gay, (Ground Books, 2003), 24p Ages 2-6.
Sam can't sleep because his faithful dog, Fred, is missing and Fred is afraid of many things that go bump in the night. Fortunately, his older sister, Stella, patiently helps him search the house until Fred is found.

Goodnight, My Duckling, written/illus. by Nancy Tafuri, (Scholastic Press, 2006) 12p,
Ages 2-5.
Now in board book for little hands, this charming bedtime story surrounds an independent little duckling that lags behind his family on their way home at night. A friendly turtle helps him find his way home to Mama's warm nest.

The Goodnight Train, written by June Sobel, illus. by Laura Huliska-Beith, (Harcourt, Inc., 2006), 32p, Ages 3-6.
After scrubbing up, children with their teddies and slippers, find a sleeping-car bed aboard The Goodnight Train. The train chugs up hills, rocks around corners, flies through tunnels, whizzes over bridges, and finally arrives at the Dreamland Station with the sleeping children. Soothing words and fun illustrations, including a sign that indicates, "Dreamland 20 winks ahead," make this great bedtime story.

Hooray for Harry, written/illus. by Kim Lewis, (Candlewick Press, 2006), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Just settling down for his nap, Harry discovers that his favorite blanket is missing. With the help of his friends, Harry goes over the day's activities, the light dawns, and he remembers where it is. Harry decides that some days the searching is as much fun as the finding. Most children and parents who can relate to the loss of a beloved blanket will enjoy this charming story.

Humphrey's Bear, written by Jan Wahl, illus. by William Joyce, (Henry Holt Books, 2005), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Updated from the 1977 classic, Humphrey has a wonderful adventure at sea with his toy bear after they retire for the night. He especially enjoys the hot chocolate that bear makes - just as his father did before him.

I Can't Sleep, written by Gill Davies, illus. by Eric Kincaid, (Brimax Books, 1996), 28p, Ages 4-7.
It's bedtime and Polly the Panda is tired but can't seem to sleep. Counting animals is suggested, but the tigers are too loud and the hippos too wet. Nothing works until the family suggests counting Pandas. A good bedtime concept book where the counting is rhymed.

I Love to Cuddle, written by Carl Norac, illus. by Claude K. Dubois, (Doubleday Books, 1999), 28p, Ages 2-6.
Lola the hamster badly needs a hug, but with no one around, this little rambunctious hamster decides to create her own Cuddle Island by gathering every soft thing she can find.

I Love You Always and Forever, written by Jonathan Emmett, illus. by Daniel Howarth, (Scholastic, Inc., 2007), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Playing in the forest, scampering through the bushes, leaping through long grass, and playing hide-and-seek, daddy Longtail tells daughter Littletail that someday she'll be too fast to catch, too clever to find, and grow just as big as he. At the end of the day, Longtail reminds Littletail that one thing will never change, and that is his love for her. This book not only has wonderful illustrations, but it also is just the right story about companionship and unconditional love that children need, especially at bedtime.

If You Were My Baby: A Wildlife Lullaby, written by Fran Hodgkins, illus. by Laura Bryant, (Dawn Publications, HC 2005), 32p, Ages 2-7.
At bedtime, a parent explains how various animals love and care for their young. Baby squirrels have secret nests, baby otters are rocked in the waves, and baby ducks are taught the wonders of water. This is a good connection for children to the world of nature around them.

Just Like You, written & illus. by Jan Fearnley, (Candlewick Press, 2001), 32p, Ages 3-6.
An endearing bedtime story about a small mouse that wants reassurance from his mother that he is special and loved, just like the other animals he sees on the way home.

A Mouse Told His Mother, written by Bethany Roberts, illus. by Maryjane Begin, (Little, Brown & Co., 1997), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Bedtime can be an exciting time for a little mouse as he takes fantasy trips to catch crocodiles, flies to the moon, dives for pirate treasure, rides a bucking bronco, and forges through blizzards. All the while his mother reminds him to take his toothbrush, wash his feet, wear his pajamas and blow her a kiss as she lovingly tucks him into bed.

The Napping House, written by Audrey Wood, illus. by Don Wood, (Harcourt Books, 2009), 32p, Ages 3-7.
Written in cumulative rhyme, this gentle story of a house full of sleeping people and creatures will sooth and amuse even the youngest listener. One by one, a snoring grandmother, a dreaming child, a dozing dog, a snoozing cat, and a slumbering mouse congregate on Granny's bed in a pile of bodies for an afternoon nap. When a small flea bites the mouse, it creates a chain reaction of chaos, as one by one each bounces, flies, bumps, and thumps off the bed. This newly designed edition, with CD of a reading and six original songs, commemorates twenty-five years of great storytelling.

Niccolini's Song, written by Chuck Wilcoxen, illus. by Mark Buehner, (Dutton, 2004 HC, Puffin Books, 2006 PB), 40p, Ages 4+.
An extraordinary night watchman at the railroad yard lulls the engines to sleep by singing to them about "gentle hills, steady tailwinds, and feathers for freight". Some engines wake themselves up just to hear Niccolini's lullabies. Even mothers with restless babies enjoy the comforting songs. When a strong wind blows through town waking up all the children, Niccolini enlists the help of the engines by using their whistles to quiet everyone. "One by one, Niccolini thanked each of the locomotives. One by one, they said, 'You're welcome'".

Russell the Sheep, written/illus. by Rob Scotton, (HarperCollins, 2005), 40p, Ages 3-7.
Russell has a busy day in Frogsbottom Field, but when night falls, he cannot seem to fall asleep. So he tries counting things - his feet, the stars (six hundred million billion and ten), but nothing works until he discovers that counting sheep works. The illustrations are clever.

Sleep Tight, Little Bear, written by Martin Waddell, illus. by Barbara Frith, (Candlewick Press, 2005), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Little Bear discovers a cave that is just his size. With Big Bear's permission he prepares to spend the night, but as the dark sets in, Little Bears realizes that Big Bear might be lonely, and he heads home. A Charming story of adventure and love.

Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep, written by Joyce Dunbar, illus. by Debi Glori,
(Harcourt Brace & Co., 1998), 32p, Ages 3-7.
Willa can't sleep until she turns to big brother, who assures her of the happy things that await her in the morning; her chicken slippers, yummy fruit and cereal for breakfast, and her basket of toys that are dreaming of the games that they will play.

There's a Duck in My Closet!, written by John Trent, Ph.d, illus. by Judy Love, (Word
Publishing, 1993), 32p, Age 4-7.
For children who are frightened by monsters at night, this story will help with the problem. A little boy discovers that what he thinks are monsters in his closet turn out to be animals that come out and play at night.

Tick-Tock, Drip-Drop!: A Bedtime Story, written by Nicola Moon, illus. by Eleanor Taylor, (Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2004), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Sometimes friendships are strained, even between roommates. Rabbit is unable to sleep due to a ticking clock, a dripping faucet, and a purring cat. Mole offers to help so both can sleep, but Rabbit's snores now keep him awake. However, Mole finds a great solution and everyone is content for the night.

Turtle Time: A Bedtime Story, written by Sandol Stoddard, illus. by Lynn Munsinger, (Houghton Mifflin Co., 1995), 32p, Ages 5-7.
A turtle always knows when to hide in his shell and when to come out. Children can take the turtle's example and burrow into a cozy pile of blankets while listening. Turtle Time is both a story about friendship and a soothing lullaby.

While You Are Sleeping, written/illus. by Alexis Deacon, (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2006), 36p, Ages 3-6.
A little girl's toys explain their job of keeping her safe at night: check under the bed for monsters, keep her covered with blankets, squish the bedbugs, scare the nightmares away, keep her from falling out of bed, and more. It's a hard night of work, but when the sun comes up, they scurry back to their places beside the bed. The soft artwork and gentle text is sure to comfort children who wonder about their stuffed animals coming alive at night.