Our Favourite Bedtime Books for Toddlers

Bedtime is a special time for us to bond with our toddler and wind down after a long day. One of our favourite ways to do this is by reading bedtime stories together. We’ve found that certain books are particularly effective at helping our toddler fall asleep, and we wanted to share them with you.

The Magic of Reading: Benefits Beyond the Story

Reading with your children is so much more than just a way to pass the time before bed. It’s an incredibly powerful tool for their development and a beautiful way to strengthen your bond.

Reading for a Better Night’s Sleep

Incorporating a bedtime story into your routine is a fantastic way to signal to your child that it’s time to sleep. The calming rhythm of your voice and the gentle act of turning pages create a quiet, predictable transition from a busy day to a restful night. Reading a book helps their minds wind down, focusing on a single, low-stimulus activity. This ritual can reduce bedtime resistance and help them fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer. It’s a peaceful, screen-free way to prepare their brains for rest.

Reading for Stronger Parenting Bonds

Sharing a book is a wonderful opportunity for one-on-one time without distractions. Cuddling up together, your child feels safe and secure in your presence. This shared experience creates positive associations with bedtime and with you, their parent. You’re not just reading a story; you’re creating a cherished memory. This consistent, loving interaction strengthens the parent-child bond, fostering a sense of trust and emotional closeness that will last a lifetime.

Our Top Bedtime Books

Here are some of our go-to books for a peaceful bedtime:

Hush, Hush, Says the Stars by Margaret Spuring
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
Just Like My Dad by Mercer Mayer
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

Why We Love These Books

We love these books because they are all beautifully illustrated and have engaging stories that capture our toddler’s attention. They are also all relatively short, so they don’t take too long to read. The repetition and gentle narratives in many of these stories are particularly soothing and effective for bedtime.

More Tips for a Successful Bedtime Routine

In addition to reading bedtime stories, we have a few other tips for creating a successful bedtime routine:

Start early. We start our bedtime routine about 30 minutes before we want our toddler to go to sleep. This gives us time to wind down and get ready for bed.
Create a relaxing atmosphere. We make sure the room is dark and quiet. We also avoid screens for at least 30 minutes before bedtime, as the blue light can interfere with sleep.
Stick to a routine. Having a consistent bedtime routine helps our toddler know what to expect and makes it easier for them to fall asleep.

We hope these tips and book recommendations help you create a relaxing and enjoyable bedtime routine for your toddler.