Hi friends! Welcome to the Nelsen family’s favorite bedtime book list. I will be honest, it was HARD narrowing this list down! We have so many favorites, so I tried to include a variety for different ages.
Truth be told, sometimes during the bedtime routine window, I find myself looking ahead to time with Matt after the kids are asleep, but the faster time flies and the older our kids get, the more I value time reading and praying with them before bed for the sacred time that it is. These daily, repeated deposits of time are shaping them into the people they will one day become. So as you read these suggestions and maybe find a few more to add to your own home libraries, know that the time you spend each night goes way beyond the characters and storylines in these books!
Okay, let’s get to it- here are our top picks!
“Elephant and Piggie” Books by Mo Willems
- Age: Suitable for children 4-8
We have not found an Elephant and Piggie book we don’t love. They are all SO funny! And the repetitive text makes them great for early readers to read on their own too!
Add “Elephant and Piggie” books to your library by clicking here.
“Press Here” by Herve Tullet
- Age: Suitable for children 2-6
This is such a fun and interactive story that instructs the reader to push the button, shake it up, tilt the book, and see what will happen next. If you love this book, be sure to check out Mix It Up and pre-order Let’s Play that will be released in March 2024!
Add “Press here” to your library by clicking here.
“Frog on a Log” by Kes Gray
- Age: 2-6 years old
This is a sweet and silly rhyming book that is fun to listen to and then makes for a great early reading book when kids start to learn the basics of phonics.
Add “Frog on a log” to your library by clicking here.
“Thank you, Mr. Falker” by Patricia Polacco
- Age: 6-9 years old
This is one of my all-time favorite books that I used to read each year to my students in 3rd and 5th grade. This is a beautiful story about dyslexia that has a surpise ending. The author’s note at the end of the book is worth reading aloud!
Add “Thank you, Mr. Falker” to your library by clicking here
“How Full Is Your Bucket?” by Tom Rath
- Age: 3-7 years old
We read this every year at the beginning of school and then again throughout the year when we need reminders on how our words and actions impact others. It is a must-have for your home!
Add “How full is your bucket” to your library by clicking here
“The Wonderful Things You Will Be” by Emily Winfield Martin
- Age: Baby- 3 years old
This heartwarming tale celebrates a child’s potential and individuality. Our kids love the illustrations and we all love the message and conversation it sparks.
Add to your library by clicking here.
“When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree” by Jamie L.B Deenihan
- Age: 2-7 years old
We love this sweet story that illustrates patience, hard work and community!
Bonus: it has a recipe for lemonade, making it the perfect story and activity combo.
Add to your library by clicking here.
“In My Heart” by Joe Witek
- Age: 2-5 years old
This book is such a great illustration of the different feelings our kiddos have. I especially love the part where it encourages to ask your child what feelings their heart feel!
Add “In My Heart” to your library by clicking here.
“Ellison the Elephant” by Erich Drachman
- Age: 2-4 years old
The audio for this book is SO good! It’s one of our kids favorite stories to listen to in the car!
Add “Ellison the Elephant” to your library by clicking here.
“Wildred Gordon McDonald Partridge” by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas
- Age: 6-11 years old
As an elementary school teacher, I always used this book to introduce the writing topic of writing about memories. It is such a sweet story!
Add “Wildred Gordon McDonald Partridge”to your library by clicking here.
“Nighty-Night Cooper” by Laura Numeroff
- Age: 1-4 years old
This book is so sweet for bedtime. It has lullabies you can sing with your kiddos, especially when they are having a hard time winding down for bed!
Add “Nighty-Night Cooper” to your library by clicking here.
“Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
- Age: Baby- 3 years old
This classic bedtime tale has charmed generations with its rhythmic prose and soothing illustrations. A perfect choice for winding down and saying goodnight to all the familiar objects in the room. It’s a timeless favorite that our kids still love.
Add “Goodnight Moon” to your library by clicking here.
“Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak
- Age: 1-5 years old
Enter the wild world of Max and his imaginative adventures with the wild things. This story encourages kids to embrace their emotions and creativity, captivating young minds with its fantastical journey.
Add “Where the wild things are” to your library by clicking here.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle
- Age: 1-3 years old
Follow the journey of a hungry caterpillar as it transforms into a beautiful butterfly. The vibrant illustrations and simple narrative make it a delightful read-aloud for young children, capturing their imagination with each turn of the page.
Add “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to your library by clicking here.
“Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram
- Age: 1-3 years old
This heartwarming tale of Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare expresses boundless love between parent and child. Its gentle message and tender moments make it a really sweet bedtime read!
Add “Guess How Much I Love You” to your library by clicking here.
“What Should Danny Do School Day” by Adir Levy and Ganit Levy
Age: Perfect for children aged 4 to 8
We love the entire Danny and Darla series! This interactive tale follows Danny’s school day adventures, where young readers get to call the shots and make choices that shape the story. It’s an empowering book that teaches kids about responsibility, making decisions, and understanding the consequences of their actions. It is a great story for promoting conversation about the impact our choices have on ourselves and others!
Add “What Should Danny Do School Day” to your library by clicking here.
“What Should Darla Do” by Ganit and Adir Levy
- Age: Suitable for children aged 4 to 8
Darla’s adventures take center stage in this delightful book, where readers get to decide her path. With relatable scenarios and engaging illustrations, this book empowers children to explore their emotions and use their problem-solving skills. Our kids love the interactivity and eagerly take charge of Darla’s journey!
Add “What Should Darla Do” to your library by clicking here.
I’d love to hear your family’s favorites in the comments below! Happy reading, friends!
