Picture books for bedtime.

Hello fellow picture book enthusiasts! If you’re in need of a new bedtime story this blog post may well be the biscuit. Recommendations of stories connected to sleepy time for toddlers and up are shared. Enjoy!

The Bedtime Book by S Marendaz and illustrated by Carly Gledhill

Snuggle up and enjoy this precious story of friendship and kindness.

It can be upsetting when you lose something you absolutely adore and Mouse in the story knows just that feeling. She can’t find her favourite book anywhere. Frank, her dog friend, is on hand to help find the book and together they ask other animals.

Eventually Mouse is told where her book is and she needn’t worry about it not being looked after as it turns out a rather young animal has taken a liking to her favourite read. Mouse refuses to take it back though as she understands the joy that particular book gives, what a kind gesture.

Frank is such a good friend to Mouse and after an emotional time trying to find the book they discover that they unknowingly share something in common. Who would have known that they both love the same book!?

This is an adorable read sharing a lovely friendship amongst brilliant double page spreads of scrumptious art. I love the pops of colour against the black, brilliant.

On Sleepy Hill by Patricia Hegarty and illustrated by Xuan Lee.

This intricately created book is sure to make many bedtime storytime a little more special. My 3 year old in particular found this book utterly enchanting. With many peek hole parts creating layers of beautiful landscape scenes, complete with various animals, this is such a treat. Readers can gently prepare for bedtime, just as the animals do, with the scenes gradually becoming deeper in colour. The appealing lullaby text makes it a rather sweet read aloud. I’m rather hoping this will be published as a board book too.

A stunning book that would make a beautiful gift indeed.

Goodnight World by Nicola Edwards and illustrated by Hannah Tolson.

Goodnight World is a wonderfully diverse read. This book, perfect as a bedtime story, will gently prepare readers for sleepy time with its rhythmic text throughout. Readers can witness different children preparing for bedtime around the globe and you can learn how good night is said in their home language. Russian, Swedish and Hindi are some of the languages included in this fantastic, inclusive read.

When the day’s at an end, up to bed we will go,

The sky becomes dusky and so the night grows.

When the bright golden sun sheds the last of its light,

We turn to each other and we say “Goodnight!”

With heartwarming text and appealing illustrations throughout this is a brilliant bedtime read with a difference.

Have You Seen My Blankie? By Lucy Rowland and illustrated by Paula Metcalf

This fantastic book is a super real aloud and a brilliant pick for snuggly reading time at bedtime for children 1 years and up. Featuring a princess, a dragon and a sprinkle of fairy tale characters, readers will enjoy this bouncy, rhythmic read.

Poor princess has lost her rather precious blankie and is determined to find it. Readers are introduced to her brother, giant and witch in searching for her blankie who inform princess that her blankie proved rather useful for a whole host of purposes. Now, the blankie is being used by a dragon who declares that he can’t sleep without it! Princess rather likes her blankie but doesn’t want dragon to be sad so she’s begins a new search, to find dragon the perfect replacement.

With its relatable plot, interesting characters and illustrations that are quirky and soft, this book is a lovely read indeed.

This is Owl by Libby Walden and illustrated by Jacqui Lee.

This interactive read recommended for 3 years and up is an absolutely hoot. Readers will rejoice in interacting with Owl by clapping, tapping and flapping along with their new feathery friend. Woven within all this fun is also some learning too, exploring with readers what nocturnal means, sharing the habitat of an owl and it’s offspring.

The book is complete with flaps and striking illustrations often set against a black background giving all the night time feels for Owl and making it an intriguing read for young readers. The book encourages children to be imaginative and the humorous tone makes for a very fun read.

Readers will delight in meeting Owl and the wonderful surprise at the end of the book.

Wakey Birds by Maddie Frost

 

Wakey Birds is a funny read with many surprises to keep readers engaged and entertained. The book is a great pick for bedtime as it is based on a bird who just can’t seem to sleep, recommended for 3 year olds and up. Whilst everyone around Wakey Bird is asleep in the jungle she things about what she could do. Playing a game seems like a great  option but with everyone asleep who will she play with? Oh, well Wakey Bird knows how that can be resolved, by waking everyone up! Only problem is will her noisy choices wake up the Jungle Beast? A beast who everyone is sacred of and not someone you want to get on the wrong side of, or so it is perceived. Will this Wakey Bird ever sleep?

There will be many readers who too will have had Wakey Bird’s stuggle to sleep and this story will be sure to make them chuckle.

Maddie Frost has written and illustrated a rather fun filled read with textured art work that is unique and vibrant.

Hide and Sleep by Lizi Boyd.

Hide and Sleep is a playful flip flap book brilliant for toddlers and up. It’s hard back format and sturdy die cut pages are made for little hands to explore and excite in flipping pages back and forth.

There are lots of illustrations on each page with short sentences on what different animals are doing. Moon rises. Fox watches. Owl swoops. The observations may prompt readers to elaborate further or perhaps even mimic the action and as it isn’t text heavy, it makes it an ideal book for toddlers developing their language. Lizi Boyd is an award winning artist and the artwork throughout is wonderful. I love the use of high contrast images with sprinkles of pastel colours.

The book would make a lovely gift. It shares the differences between day and night and introduces readers to and array of animals.

Gobblechops A Tale By Rumi by Elizabeth Laird and illustrated by Jenny Lucander

The fear of monsters under the bed along with nightmares can begin when children begin school, around 4-5 years old. Grobblechops, though it is based on a tale from Rumi (a thirteenth century poet and philosopher) the storyline will resonate with many children, parents and carers. Jenny Lucander has drawn a very vivid, interesting looking monster who looks rather roarsome but actually readers will find that he shares many similarities with little people and perhaps is more loveable, given a chance.

Young Amir doesn’t want to go bed as he is scared of the dark and thinks a monster might be waiting for him. His dad doesn’t dismiss the idea but gives Amir ideas on what to do, the key being super scary back. This book will be sure to encourage many a question but also explores a different way of dealing with worries children may have around bedtime.

 

 

A collection of newly published bedtime reads that I do hope you’ve enjoyed reading about.

Disclaimer: The books included in this post were received from publishers however, I chose to include them in this piece. All words and opinions are entirely my own. This post contains affiliate links.