My Happy Birthday - for 4-8 Years Old (Perfect for Bedtime & Young Readers)

Classic children's library: 8-11

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Ruby has other ideas, and decides that only by being reckless can she avoid this terrible fate. Crucial reading for little girls who do not want to grow up to marry princes. A Children's Book Award winner that full of visual jokes and amusing detail. Winnie the Witch decides that having a black cat when you live in an all-black house is very confusing.

I Hate School, by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross (Anderson Press £5.99)

One of those books that stays in the mind. Bernard would like a little attention from his parents, but they are so busy they do not even notice that he has been eaten and replaced by a monster. McKee's sly pictures are so delicious you want to gobble them up. A stark reminder that there is no such thing as quality time. This princess enjoys being a Ms, but all the princes want her to be their Mrs.

A feminist fairytale with a difference, full of good humour. If you enjoy this, try Cole's gender-bending variation on the Cinderella story, Prince Cinders. One in a series of user-friendly and funny stories that help children learn to read without patronising either them or their parents. Elsie tries and fails to be like everyone else, then something completely different turns up and wants to be friends. A gentle, eloquently told story about the meaning of tolerance. Your children may well have been introduced to Pooh, Christopher Robin and the " aker wood" long before reaching four, but now is the time to start reading them the full version with colour illustrations by EH Shepard.

Just don't try to imitate Alan Bennett when you do. The little girl in this fantasy has a unique gift. When someone makes her angry she simply points her finger and - zap! When her teacher calls her "a stupid little girl" because she misspells cat, she points her finger and her teacher sprouts whiskers. A small child used to being coerced will warm to the summary justice meted out in this tale. A little book with a great big message about the enormity of small children's feelings.

Children are intrigued by this highly original book containing witty cards in envelopes for the Jolly Postman to deliver to fairytale characters. Hours and hours of fun. A great story about a little girl who is looked after by her dad, and has the day from hell on a school visit to the dinosaur museum.

Things look up when she turns into a dinosaur, although being scaly-skinned brings its own problems. A perceptive story from an author likely to figure large in your child's reading over the years. A brilliant, simple idea - and talk about value for money!

We have not seen one that is not beautifully, sometimes heart-breakingly, written or wittily illustrated. The list grows longer, parents more thankful. Begin by reading them to your children, and the older ones will start collecting them themselves with their pocket money.

A golloping, gulping, grumptious story from the master storyteller, concerning a horrid, greedy, brutish crocodile who has secret plans and clever tricks to fill up his tummy with a yummy child. Will make them scream with laughter. Irina is a sad and lonely child; the wooden horse she sees in a junk shop is sad and lonely too, and needs a home. Nabb's book is a superb internalised dialogue, a modern fairytale in which the horse comes alive and liberates Irina from the burden of her sadness.

Heart-warming without being twee. A Children's Book Award winner that tells about Streaker, a rocket on four legs with a woof attached. Children giggle uncontrollably at the humour, and it will raise a smile in mums and dads as well. A seriously silly retelling of the story in which Snow White is a wannabe pop star who has to defeat the mean queen, who was once the lead singer with The Wonderful Witched Witches.

Parents may sigh, but children find it hilarious. This is the place where for most little girls real reading begins. Few can resist Mildred Hubble, the little witch at Miss Cackle's academy who is always crashing her broomstick and getting her spells wrong.

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Much copied but not bettered. There are three more. A winning, chatty voice, wonderfully sketchy illustrations circa , and a surprise ending make this a hit with kids and adults alike. So Big Bear brings him to see the biggest light there is—the moon. As cozy and comforting as a cup of cocoa after dinner.

The Going to Bed Book. Although not strictly a bedtime book, the theme of the beautiful moon that hangs over each page oozes cozy, cuddly sleepytime feelings. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Twinkle Twinkle sets the classic lullaby to rich, gorgeous paintings of an idealized nighttime world. Set sail for dreamland! Where the Wild Things Are. Touch the Brightest Star. They press a firefly, blow a breeze, pat a deer, blink their eyes to fill the sky with stars and trace the Big Dipper on the page.

56 Best Bedtime Books for Kids

Because all the text in the book consists of goodnight greetings, parents will need to narrate the story in their own words. Marveling at the delightfully Anglo home scenes, follow the baby through his day until his mother places him, sleeping, into his crib. The cutout on each page will keep younger readers engaged. Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site.

Classic children's library: 4-7

Truck enthusiasts will ask for this one every night—and day, too. Animals range from the expected—mice, birds—to the more exotic—penguins, whales, and kangaroos. Guess who ends up falling asleep first? Here, Grandma recalls their adventures making a restaurant, swimming at the lake, and refusing to go to school.

The combination of the elegant pen-and-ink pictures reminiscent of Winnie-the-Pooh , gentle brown and green palette and loving, ultra-simple storyline is exquisite. The soft illustrations have a lovely vintage vibe. In the Night Kitchen.

Another blast from the past which has held up nicely. The vibrant paintings with bright swaths of primary colors will please young eyes as the loving text lulls them to sleep. Especially adorable is the scene of the snoozing trains and tractor covered by quilts. The House in the Night. In a Blue Room. But as her mother brings her one special sleep-inducing gift after another flowers, tea, an extra quilt, a wind chime , her room becomes beautifully suffused with all different colors.

Finally, as she nods off to sleep, the moon comes in and makes everything blue. A little boy demonstrates some magical thinking as he brushes his teeth, puts away his things, and says goodnight to his pet a dragon , all in a fantastical medieval setting. The festive snowy outdoor scenes will put kids in a holiday mood, so save this one for winter.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (Walker, £14.99)

His neighbor Duck, on the other hand, has never felt so awake. A hilarious all-dialogue story, great fun to read aloud and reminiscent of Elephant and Piggie. Gentle verse imagines a series of sleepy children, each holding a stuffed animal, on a special voyage with their stuffie come to life. A Bedtime for Bear. First Mouse shows up unexpectedly on his doorstep Bear was sure his visit was scheduled for another night. Good Night, Sleep Tight. The simple refrain is addictive and you will find yourself chanting it as you go about your day.

The restful blue palette lightens as the book progresses and day approaches. Here, stubborn Lola refuses to go to bed, and her fabulously sympathetic big brother Charlie steps in to help. Just Go to Bed. In this installment, our hero is cranky about having to go to bed and trots out one creative, hopeful scenario after another to delay the inevitable.

Patient Dad has a comeback for each one. Age If your kids need to get their sillies out before snuggling down, look no further! No one does goofy, expressive animals and infectious, top-tapping rhyme like Sandra Boynton. Here, she gives pajamas the silly treatment: Pajammy to the right. The contrast of the wild storm outside and the cozy interior will make bedtime seem a happy and safe place for toddlers and preschoolers. A great choice for kids who have the nighttime jitters. Adorable Willa, with her floppy ears and stuffed animal look, will captivate listeners.

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