“The Bedtime Train” by Joy Cowley is a great bedtime book, especially for little boys. It takes the reader on an adventure aboard the bedtime train where penguins are their fellow passengers. The train weaves through the forest, on a rickety bridge over Alligator Lake, and through cold and snowy ridges. The way the words flow through this book is very calming. It seems as though it needs to be read in a quiet voice, just like you would use if you were reading a bedtime story. The pictures in the book are also very dreamlike. The colors are very subdued and would be very relaxing for a sleepy child. This would be a good addition to your bedtime library.
Another great bedtime book is “Just Go to Bed” by Mercer Mayer. This would be ideal to read to a child who tries to use every excuse under the sun to get out of going to bed. First, the main character Little Critter is a cowboy playing outside, and when told to come in to get ready for bed, he becomes an admiral. When the admiral is told to take a bath, he’s now a space cadet. This goes on and on until the end where Little Critter is in his bunny pj’s, complaining to his father that “bunnies don’t sleep in beds.” The next thing you know, the little bunny is fast asleep in his bed. This is a very cute book and a lot of parents can relate to the struggle this father goes through trying to get his child to sleep.
These are just two of the many great examples of wonderful children’s books out there that will help you get your child to sleep. Just pick one, try it out, and see if it will help your child fall asleep.
