Best Bedtime Books for Kids: 2025 Picks

This title is a fantastic option for the toddler and preschool crowd. Your child will love flipping through the sturdy pages while you act out how different animals, like sloths and parrots, kiss goodnight.

It uses a gentle rhyme scheme to engage young listeners without winding them up. The hand-drawn illustrations add a soft, whimsical touch to the tale. We recommend reading this in a slow, whispered voice to help your child drift off.

If your preschooler has a wild imagination, this story is a staple. The book invites children to choose a “dream animal” to carry them into their nightly adventures.

The rhyming text hooks little bookworms immediately. Meanwhile, the stunning illustrations help your child visualize their magical dream animal. It is a great conversation starter; ask your little one what they want to dream about before you turn out the lights.

It is never too early to introduce comics. With this board book, suitable for 1-year-olds and up, you can bring a little superhero action to the crib.

This adventure frames the nightly routine as a mission. It parallels a child’s evening with Batman’s preparation. It covers the basics: potty, brushing teeth, and putting on pajamas. If you have a stubborn toddler who fights the routine, seeing Batman do it might just change their mind.

I generally avoid noisy books right before sleep, but this Eric Carle title is a worthy exception. It mixes a story with shadow play.

The set includes a pop-up book and an interactive flashlight that makes bug sounds. Kids as young as 18 months can handle the flashlight, though it is perfect for preschoolers.

Your child presses buttons on the flashlight to follow along. Shining the light on the pop-ups reveals bugs hiding in the shadows. It is a fun way to make the dark feel less scary and more adventurous.

Picture books are great, but eventually, your child will graduate to longer narratives. The Harry Potter series is a cultural phenomenon and a must-have for kids aged 9 and older.

Harry is a young boy living with cruel relatives who discovers he is actually a famous wizard. The series follows Harry and his friends as they navigate magic school and fight darkness. Reading a chapter a night is a great way to bond with older kids.

Mo Willems is a master of preschool humor. In this book, your child gets to be the parent. Their one job is to make sure the Pigeon does not stay up late.

The Pigeon uses every excuse in the book (many your child probably uses). He asks for water, argues about educational TV, and tries to bargain. Watching the Pigeon yawn and eventually crash is hilarious and satisfying for early elementary kids.

First published in 1942, this book has comforted children for over 80 years. It captures the essence of a parent’s protective love.

A little bunny threatens to run away, imagining himself as a fish, a rock, or a bird. His mother replies that she will become a fisherman, a mountain climber, or a tree to find him. It is a reassuring book for children ages 4 and up who might be going through a separation anxiety phase.

This sweet story features Little Nutbrown Hare and his dad trying to outdo one another’s affection. They stretch their arms and hop as high as they can to measure their love.

Spoiler alert: Dad wins. It is a calm, gentle preschool tale that is perfect for nights when Dad handles tuck-in duty. It leaves kids feeling safe, loved, and ready to sleep.

Baby Llama kicks up some serious drama when Mama leaves the room. He worries, frets, and eventually hollers for her. Sound familiar?

Mama returns to reassure him that she is always near, even if she isn’t right there. The catchy rhymes and relatable tantrum make this a hit with toddlers and parents alike. It is a great tool for discussing bedtime separation anxiety.

Your 10-year-old will love diving into the world of Percy Jackson. Percy is a kid with dyslexia and ADHD who discovers these traits are actually signs he is a demigod.

He heads to a camp for half-bloods and embarks on a quest to stop a war between the Greek gods. With five books in the original series and multiple spin-offs, this will keep your preteen’s nightstand stacked for a long time.

This book is practically mandatory for new parents. We move slowly through a bunny’s room as he says “goodnight” to everything, from the kittens to the mush.

The rhythm is hypnotic. By the time you reach the blank page saying “goodnight noises everywhere,” your little one should be heavy-eyed. It is ideal for babies and toddlers.

Is your kid always concocting new schemes? In this story, a child has an idea (represented by a little egg with legs) but is afraid to share it. As the child’s confidence grows, the idea grows with them.

This title is perfect for children aged 5 to 8. It encourages creativity and resilience, sending them to sleep with the thought that they can change the world.

If your family loves wordplay, you need this classic. It leverages the contagious power of a yawn to encourage sleep for kids aged 5 and up.

The story starts with a small bug named Van Vleck yawning. That yawn spreads across the land to fantastical creatures everywhere. The book claims “99 zillion, 9 trillion and 2 creatures” are asleep by the end. Hopefully, your child will join that count.

Jack and Annie find a mysterious treehouse filled with books that transport them through time. It is the perfect bridge between picture books and novels.

This set includes the first four adventures involving dinosaurs, knights, mummies, and pirates. Recommended for children aged 6 to 8 years old, these stories are exciting without being too scary for bedtime. Plus, you can buy companion fact tracker books if your kid loves non-fiction.

If you want bang for your buck, this treasury is the answer. It contains enough short stories and nursery rhymes to last an entire year.

This format is great for nights when you are short on time. You can read a one-page rhyme in 30 seconds, or stack a few stories together if you have more time. The padded cover looks great on a shelf, making it a solid gift for kids 4 and up.

Nancy Tillman writes books that make parents cry (in a good way). Her work emphasizes the unbreakable bond between parent and child.

The text assures your child that no matter where they go or what they do, your love is with them. It is poetic, sentimental, and calming. This is a beautiful read for ages 4 and up, especially after a tough day.

This story follows Wilbur, a pig saved by a girl named Fern, and his friendship with a brilliant spider named Charlotte. It touches on friendship, life, and loss in a gentle way.

This classic is great for confident readers aged 8 and up. However, it also works wonderfully as a read-aloud chapter book for younger children (around 6) who are ready to listen to longer stories without pictures on every page.

Here is another Nancy Tillman hit. The rhythm of the text mimics the motion of a lullaby or a rocking chair.

The story shows animals all over the world settling down for the night. It eventually zooms in on your child, signaling it is their turn to rest. The illustrations are dreamy and surreal, perfect for toddlers and preschoolers winding down.

If your child is obsessed with trains, this is the one. A dream train pulls into the station, and animal crews load it up with ice cream, toys, and paint.

The cadence mimics the “clickety-clack” of wheels on a track. It is a huge hit with preschoolers. You can whisper the rhymes and make soft “choo-choo” sounds to lull them to sleep.

This dystopian novel is a staple for middle schoolers. Recommended for ages 11 and up, it deals with complex themes of memory, pain, and conformity.

Jonas, a 12-year-old boy living in a colorless world, is assigned to be the “Receiver of Memory.” He begins to learn the dark truths behind his society’s perfection. It sparks deep conversations, so be prepared to talk about it with your kid after reading.

This collection features the original versions of classics like “The Little Mermaid” and “The Ugly Duckling.”

Be warned: Andersen’s originals are often darker than the Disney versions. They are recommended for kids 8 and up. The book itself is gorgeous, featuring a ribbon bookmark so you never lose your place. It is a keepsake item that looks beautiful on any shelf.