After dinner is finished and a warm bath, curling up with your child and a special book can be a wonderful opportunity to bond, create lasting memories and send your child off to sleep feeling safe, loved and connected. In this article I am going to provide a review seven of my favorite children’s books for bedtime bonding.
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
In this book little Llama Llama is feeling quite anxious at bedtime, wanting his mama. The fun rhyming in this book creates a relatable and memorable fun story that most all young children can relate to. All children need to feel assured they are not all alone at nighttime and the story will enable you to remind your child that you are there for him.
Time for Bed by Mem Fox and illustrated by Jane Dyer
This beautifully illustrated book with it’s very soothing repetitive text acts as a lullaby. As you read this book in a soft voice with your little one snuggled up next to you, she will love to see the pictures of the baby animals getting sleepy and ready to drift off into dreamland.
Max and Ruby’s Bedtime Book by Rosemary Wells
Grandma tells little rabbits Max and Ruby one last story at bedtime about what it was like when she was a little bunny. The illustrations and characters Max and Ruby are beloved by many children with their sometimes mischievous and always delightful antics. You and your child will be sure to smile and giggle with this fun bedtime book.
Sleep Like a Tiger by Mary Logue and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
When a little girl does not feel sleepy at bedtime, her patient parents answer her many questions about how animals go to sleep. Lovely illustrations and relatable stories of how all creatures go to sleep, this book is one you and your child will enjoy sharing at bedtime.
Charley’s First Night by Amy Hest and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
Henry brings a new puppy home and helps the puppy become familiar with his new home so he will be able to go to sleep. The comfort, nurturing and reassurance Henry offers his little puppy is what every child also needs and relates to at bedtime.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay up Too Late! by Mo Willems
This might be one of the first books you read at bedtime because it is sure to elicit laughter! You and your child will enjoy this humorous book about a pigeon who does not want to go to sleep and tries every trick he can think of to stay awake.
The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
This classic full of fun rhyming will be a wonderful way for you and your child to make the transition from a busy day to winding down for bedtime. The bedtime prep and routine is reflected emphasizing that everyone everywhere is getting ready to go to bed.
Having a consistent routine at bedtime, attending to soothing the senses and capping it off with snuggles and reading together are so important for reinforcing a secure connection between you and your child. I hope this list of children’s books for bedtime bonding helps you and your child to both successfully wind down at the end of a day and say goodnight feeling well connected.
If your child is having anxiety at bedtime and these tips are not enough, you may want to consider scheduling a parenting consultation with me to discuss the possibility of some play therapy services. Please contact me if I can be of support!