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Our Favourite Bedtime Stories for Children
Motivating little ones to settle down and get ready to sleep at bedtime can be a big task, but the routine and tranquility of listening to a bedtime story is sure to encourage even the most excitable young children into a restful slumber.
As well as inspiring sweet dreams, bedtime storytelling also offers a wealth of other benefits, including reinforcing parent-child bonding and nurturing creativity. Our top five picks are mostly tailored to little ones, but there is a collection of short stories, Bedtime Stories: Beautiful Black Tales from the Past, that is perfect for early readers to enjoy themselves.
15 Dec 2021
Little Glow by Katie Sahota
Ages 2–5 years
Little Glow is a triumph of togetherness. The candle flame that flickers in the window, illustrated by Harry Woodgate, narrates the story through its lyrical rhymes, observing a myriad of cultural and religious celebrations from around the world. It’s a wonderful bedtime story for children that is certain to leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling in your heart whilst also introducing children to the beauty of diversity.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Ages 2–5 years
Bedtime story favourite, Goodnight Moon is a delightful picture book. Its simple yet poetic narrative follows a little bunny as he says goodnight to all the things he can see from his room, from a telephone to the moon. A great choice for their early days, the familiar language and sweet illustrations makes the storyline relatable and easy to follow. Why not bring the tale to life with their own cuddly toy joining in too?
Peace at Last by Jill Murphy
Ages 2-5 years
A charming picture book with lovely illustrations, Peace at Last tells the story of a daddy who cannot get to sleep one night. The constant disturbance of all of those background noises that we are exposed to as we lay down to rest is something that is familiar to all of us, whatever our age.
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Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Ages 2-5 years
A true classic, Where the Wild Things Are has been a bedtime story favourite since its publication. Exploring the incredible imagination of a young and courageous boy, the story follows his adventurous daydream to a place full of ‘wild things’. He becomes the King of all wild things – a brave and confident boy. At the end of his great adventure, he misses home and comes back to find his supper from his loving mother waiting for him – and it is still hot.
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Bedtime Stories: Beautiful Black Tales from the Past by Candice Braithwaite, Ashley Hickson Lovence and Wendy Shearer
Age 6+ years
Recently released, Bedtime Stories: Beautiful Black Tales from the Past is a celebration of Black heritage and was published and launched to tie in with Black History Month 2021. The book hosts a number of short bedtime stories about events and key figures from all over the world. A notable addition to this esteemed collection is a story written by seven-year-old Sarah Mirkin, who won a competition to have her story included in the publication – an incredible achievement and well worth a read.
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