by Phoebe Guinn
Bedtime can be…a struggle. At the end of the day for any parent with young children, the idea of putting your children to sleep is almost bliss. Peace, quiet, and time for yourself. Bedtime books can be lifesavers in these situations, where kids can settle down, snuggle up, and get some much needed sleep. All of which makes finding books that you and your children enjoy even more important than one may think. It can be easy as a parent to look at the cover of a book and pick it up without knowing the impending doom of night after night of reading the same…not-so-good book. With this list, find the perfect bedtime books that won’t put you to sleep, too.
No, David! by David Shannon
With a Caldecott Honor under its belt, No, David! has become a fixture in households around the country for its quick and funky drawing style and light-hearted humor. Meet David, a typical young boy who just can not seem to keep out of trouble. This treasure is based on author David Shannon’s first autobiography that he wrote at just five years old. Delve into the sometimes chaotic world of No, David! with a little bit of humor and get ready for trouble!
Pirates Don’t Change Diapers by Melinda Long
In the sequel to How I Became a Pirate (which is arguably better than the original), David Shannon arrives again on this list for even more fantastic illustrations and with Melinda Long’s funny storytelling, this duo is bound to hit it out of the park. With a title that good, how can you pass it up? Jeremy and the crew are back at it again in the quest of babysitting his baby sister and (somehow) also finding treasure!
Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang
Has your toddler ever been grumpy over absolutely nothing? This book is for you. Jim Panzee, the title monkey, is just having a grumpy day and can’t seem to get out of his sour mood. Follow this adorable character and his equally charming friends in the quest of not being so grumpy.
the Olivia series by Ian Falconer
Ian Falconer’s series of books details the life of Olivia, a young pig with a sassy attitude who might not be so different from most young human girls. Girls can relate to her and parents can laugh a all of her shenanigans and wild stories that seem oh-so-familiar. In the books, Olivia strives to be different and stand out against the crowd, her dreams filled with applause and encores from a packed audience. The Olivia books are charming, entertaining, and a joy to read with young girls.
the How Do Dinosaurs series by Jane Yolen
How Do Dinosaurs is great for young boys and girls who love dinosaurs and parents who want books in a series that have concepts such as love, friends, pets, school, bedtime, etc. With funny and beautiful illustrations, one can’t help but be sucked into this fun, not so imaginary world where dinosaurs rule.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Any explanation needed? Where The Wild Things Are is the PERFECT book for any child. It’s a classic, wonderful for both girls and boys, and a way for parents to reminisce about their own childhood. The story is magical, enjoyable, and has an ending to warm anyone’s heart. The art paired with the spectacular writing allows the reader (or readers) to be fully immersed in the story as if they are walking beside its main character, Max, all along. Let yourself go wild with this spectacular classic, bound to keep moving down throughout the generations.
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
I’ll end this list with one of my favorite children’s books I have read this summer, focusing on the best book of the series. Ada Twist, Scientist along with Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer are possibly the cutest children books I have ever had the privilege to read, and that is a lot coming from me, a person who probably says the word “cute” more times a day than I would like to admit. There is just something about these books that I cant help but adore–the way the rhyming in the books flows and creates such an amazing voice in the books is almost magical. The illustrations are unique and creative, and seem to have been done with care. I also love the adding of a main character of color in the series with Ada Twist, Scientist. The book seems to be the most “polished” book of the series, the story engages the reader, the colors in the illustrations are vibrant, and every child I have read it to adore it.
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As my sixteenth birthday has been quickly approaching, I have been really thinking about my childhood and what has made me who I am. To this day, some of the best memories I have with my parents are reading books and singing bedtime songs with them before I went to bed when I was younger. It meant so much to me to just have some time with my mom or dad, even if it was just for a few minutes, and I want every child to have that special experience with their parent or parents, too. So, take some time tonight with your kids and let the know how much you love them with a warm blanket, lots of kisses, and a really good book.
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