You’ve tried a night-time feeding, a cosy blanket, and even a comforting massage to get your baby to sleep. Still, he or she is staring expectantly at you, perfectly wide-awake. If you feel like you’ve ran out of tricks to make your toddler sleep, maybe it’s time for bedtime stories!
Reading bedtime books to your toddler every night would give him a sense of familiarity in the routine. This would help him relax after a busy day, ultimately allowing the smooth transition to sleep.
Ready to finally doze off to sleep? Cap off the long day by reading these 7 baby bedtime books to your toddler.
7 Best Baby Bedtime Books for Your Toddler
1. “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Brown
No child’s bookshelf would be complete without a copy of this baby bedtime book.
“Goodnight Moon” is a classic bedtime book that would soothe your toddler to sleep with its lulling rhymes and stunning illustrations. The picture book follows a bunny saying “good night” to everyone in the room, from the clocks to the three little bears sitting on chairs. And as you read this story later at night, your toddler moves closer to the Land of Sleep.
Treasured by generations of readers and listeners, “Goodnight Moon” is definitely the perfect first book to share with your little one.
2. “The Going to Bed Book” by Sandra Boynton
Sandra Boynton’s “The Going to Bed Book” perfectly caps off your toddler’s day. It consists of silly imagery and catchy rhymes that would calm and relax your little one.
It follows an ark full of animals that are waiting for the sunset and preparing for sleep. This perfectly introduces the idea of a bedtime routine in your toddler’s mind, helping him doze off to sleep by the end of the read.
3. “Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site” by Sherri Duskey Rinker
This #1 New York Times bestseller bedtime book by Sherri Duskey Rinker would surely find its place in the heart of your baby boy.
“Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site” illustrates all sorts of trucks (you name it—bulldozers, cranes, cement mixers) that help each other get ready for bed after a busy day at the construction site. These vehicles are drawn to perfection and are complemented by the clever rhymes.
Overall, this baby bedtime book is definitely a great choice for your little boy.
4. “Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?” by Brianna Caplan Sayres and Christian Slade
Another bedtime book that would hook your baby boy’s attention is “Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?” by Brianna Caplan Sayres and Christian Slade.
The picture book revolves around little fire engines, tractors, and monster trucks listening to the bedtime stories told by mummy trucks and tunes sung by daddy trucks. This nightly routine would surely be familiar to your toddler, lulling them to sleep.
5. “How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?” by Jane Yolen
In this baby bedtime book by Jane Yolen, “little” dinosaurs follow the nightly routines set by their “parent” dinosaurs. Featuring humour and familiar good-night antics, “How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?” certainly draws parallelisms to real-life bedtime routines parents set to their children.
The picture book’s wonderful rhymes and cheerful illustrations would ultimately spark the imaginations of your little one, easing him into sleep.
6. “Llama Llama Red Pajama” by Anna Dewdney
“Llama Llama Red Pajama” depicts the dramatic bedtime tale of Baby Llama who looks for the presence of his Mummy Llama after she tucks him in bed. Anna Dewdney perfectly crafted this familiar character who doesn’t want to go to sleep and cries in bed without the comforting presence of his mum.
Featuring perfect rhymes and captivating artwork, this bedtime book is meant to be read aloud. It would surely help your toddler transition to sleep as smooth as possible.
Overall, this picture book is so relatable for both children and parents alike.
7. “The Goodnight Train” by June Sobel and Laura Huliska-Beith
“Goodnight Train” would take your little one to Dreamland through the help of adventure-filled illustrations and lyrical rhymes. From candy-colours landscapes to gorgeous mermaids, June Sobel and Laura Huliska-Beith urge you and your toddler aboard this nighttime fantasy.
This baby bedtime book would surely strike a chord to both children and parents alike with its magical yet perfectly aware storytelling style.
If you’re struggling to get your toddler to sleep, don’t hesitate to turn to these baby bedtime books! Reading these books will not only lull your little one to sleep but also helps form a lasting bond between you and your toddler.
Author Bio:
Nurture Parenting, a company in Australia that offers a holistic approach to baby sleep through The Nurture Sleep Program that is designed to take babies from sleepless to slumber.
Company Bio:
Nurture Parenting is recognised as Australia’s baby sleep expert. Headed by Karen Faulkner, a Baby and Toddler Sleep Consultant, the company offers The Nurture Sleep Program that helps babies and children on sleep training. This is a tried and tested approach that has already transformed the lives of families through its exclusive baby sleep methods that help baby self-settle and promote blissful sleep.