Our Selection of the 10 Best Bedtime Stories for 2019

Research has shown that promoting reading prior to nursery age, a critical stage of a child’s development, can have a measureable impact on how a child’s brain processes stories, which therefore may have a positive impact on reading ability in the future. Reading is also a great way to bond with a child, create a regular sleep routine and stimulate creativity and imagination.

Here are 10 of our favourite bedtime stories

Time for Bed

Author: Mem Fox - Age Group: 0-5 years

This is a beautifully illustrated children’s picture book about baby animals getting ready for bed with a little encouragement from their parents. The warmth of the soft watercolour illustrations and the charming rhymes make this book the perfect bedtime read.

Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep

Author: Joyce Dunbar - Age Group: from 5 years

This book is an endearing story about a little bunny called Willa who is scared to go to sleep and her big brother Willoughby who wants to help. Willoughby knows the best way to help Willa sleep is to think of all the happy things that will be waiting for her in the morning.

The book has won widespread critical acclaim and is sure to be a bedtime favourite for the little ones and grown-ups alike.

Where the Wild Things Are

Author: Maurice Sendak - Age Group: from 5 years

Where the Wild Things Are is about a mischievous boy called Max, who after dressing in his wolf costume, creates havoc in his home and is sent to bed without supper. That night a forest starts to grow in Max’s bedroom and a boat arrives to take Max to where the wild things are. Max tames the wild things and goes on to become their king with lots of fun to be had along the way.

Five on a Treasure Island

Author: Enid Blyton - Age Group: from 9 years

The adventures of the famous five have entertained children all over the world, since the first book was published in 1942 and continue to be a firm favourite to this day. Five on a Treasure Island tells the story of Julian, Dick and Anne who are spending the summer holiday with their cousin George and her dog. Despite a prickly start the cousins become friends and set out on an adventure to Kirrin Island where they make a thrilling discovery.

Not only is this a great bedtime story it’s also a great trip down memory lane for parents.

The BFG

Author: Roald Dahl - Age Group: from 7 years

The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) is one of Roald Dahl’s most renowned children’s books. The book tells the story of young orphan Sophie and the BFG, who is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. The BFG needs to protect Sophie from the other nine human eating giants, but to do this they need the help of the Queen of England.

Goodnight Moon

Author: Goodnight Moon - Age Group: 0-3 years

Goodnight Moon is a classic children’s bedtime story about a rabbit’s routine before he goes to bed. Before bedtime the rabbit likes to go around the room and say goodnight to everything he notices, from the little mice in the corner, to the pictures on the wall. The rabbit then starts to get more tired before finally saying ‘goodnight noises everywhere’.

The layout, design and vivid illustrations really bring this book to life, making it a great read for younger children before bed.

The Cat in the Hat

Author: Dr. Seuss - Age Group: from 7 years

The cat in the Hat was first published in 1957, by Theodor Geisel, more commonly known by his pen name Dr. Seuss. A cat who wears a red and white stripped hat and a bow tie, turns up at the house of sally and her brother on a rainy day when their mother is away.

The cat starts by showing the children a few tricks to entertain them but then goes on to destroy the house, along with his companions. However little do the children know that the cat has a secret machine which he uses to fix the house before the mother returns home.

Just So Stories

Author: Rudyard Kipling - Age Group: from 7 years

This book by Rudyard Kipling is a collection of whimsical tales, written in the first person and addressed to “O Best Beloved” – his eldest daughter Josephine who sadly died at the age of 6. The tales describe how one animal or another achieved their distinct features.

One of the most popular tales is ‘The elephant’s Child’ which tells the story of how a young elephant’s curiosity led to elephants having long noses.

Kiss Good Night, Sam

Author: Amy Hest - Age Group: from 2 years

This is an enchanting story about a dark stormy night in which Mrs Bear is putting Sam to bed. Mrs Bear reads Sam a story, tucks him into bed and brings him a glass of warm milk, but what else has she forgotten?

This is a beautifully illustrated book suitable for the youngest of readers.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Author: Michael Rosen - Age Group: from 6 years

This famous children’s book has won numerous awards, including a Guinness World Record for the "Largest Reading Lesson" with a book-reading attended by 1,500 children, and an additional 30,000 listeners online.

Taking on the old children’s rhyme, Michael Rosen has brought this to life with a delightfully illustrated children’s book that features a dad and his four children on their way to hunt for a bear.

So there you have it our 10 favourite bedtime stories, what’s your favourite?