The Best Bedtime Stories for 3- to 5-Year-Olds
by Dena McMurdie
Bedtime is my favorite time of day, and not because my little noise-makers will soon be asleep. I love it because bedtime is when we do all our reading. Not only does it give us much needed bonding time, it also gives us the chance to learn new things and talk about the books we read.
Whether your kids need to unwind, bond, or have a few laughs before they start making Z’s, these titles are a great addition to their bedtime routine.
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Warm and Fuzzy:
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Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave
Available from:Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave is a heartening reminder that no matter what didn’t go as planned today, tomorrow is a clean slate, and all you have to do is try your best. Pair it with Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind to round out your bedtime chats.
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Love
Available from:This quiet, poetic text is perfect for snuggling up to. Matt de la Peña gives young readers tangible examples of love, starting with the sound of parents’ attentive voices, and moving on to the everyday, unexpected moments: even a piece of burnt toast, he writes, can taste like love.
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Bedtime for Yeti
When Yeti’s favorite stuffed toy and bedtime companion, Chunk, goes missing, he’ll have to track down his friend if he has any hope of catching some Z’s. Sweet and funny, this one’s perfect for readers experiencing nighttime fears.
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The Wonderful Things You Will Be
Available from:This book is a hope-filled promise for childhood. Nobody else can do what your child can do, so snuggle up and celebrate their individuality together; it's a beautiful thing.
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Fun and Interactive:
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Don’t Blink!
Available from:This hilarious book offers a reward (if you make it till the end without blinking, you don’t have to go to sleep!) but also a tricky challenge: every time you do blink, you have to turn a page. A handy read for reluctant bedtimes.
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I Just Want to Say Good Night
Available from:As the sun sets on the African plains, Lala has her own bedtime stalling strategy. She has to say good night to the cat, and the goat, and the chickens, and — well, you get the idea. Rich illustrations and lilting text make this one more soothing than readers might expect.
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The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep
Available from:This one is more interactive for parents than for kids — it was written specifically as a bedtime read-aloud and uses repetitive language patterns designed to lull young ones to sleep.
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Great for Bonding:
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Salsa Lullaby
Available from:This bouncy, bilingual book follows Mami, Papi, and baby as they sing, dance, and jump their way to bedtime. It’s a delight to watch this little family take such joy in their nighttime ritual, and it will make your family even more appreciative of yours.
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Hair Love
Available from:A charming story about the relationship between a father and daughter, and that father’s determined — if clumsy — attempts to give his girl a great hair-do. Hair Love led to an Oscar-winning short film of the same name, which you should absolutely pair with the much-loved book.
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Baby Penguins Everywhere!
A lonely penguin finds a magic hat that produces baby penguins. Soon, the penguin is too busy to be lonely. Melissa Guion’s simple text and spare illustrations depict the joyful chaos of family life.
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Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?
Available from:If your toddler is more interested in vehicles than nursery rhymes, this is the perfect bedtime book. One by one, each construction vehicle gets tucked in for a night of sweet dreams.
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To Learn Something New:
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When I Grow Up...Great Leaders
Inspire your preschooler to grow into a leader with this diverse and empowering board book that spotlights incredible changemakers during their childhoods and adulthoods, showing how kids grow up to be heroes.
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Child of the Universe
Available from:Parents and children alike will learn about the wonders of the universe with this lyrical exploration from a renowned physicist turned adoring father. Take a glorious journey through the cosmos, all while reminding your little reader what a precious being they are.
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Goodnight, Numbers
Available from:A sweet and soothing bedtime story that also teaches math fundamentals? Yes, please! This charming bedtime book from math whiz Danica McKellar is filled with gentle, rhyming text, inviting illustrations, tot-friendly scenes — and lots and lots of numbers cleverly snuck in!
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Good for a Laugh:
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If Your Monster Won’t Go to Bed
Available from:This quirky, colorful picture book shares all the tricks for putting your monster to bed — and believe it or not, it’s not how you put kids to bed. (For instance, the scarier the bedtime story, the better!) This tongue-in-cheek guidebook will get everyone giggling.
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Good Night, Little Bear
Available from:Richard Scarry’s beloved bedtime story continues to amuse, as poor Father Bear manages to mysteriously lose Little Bear on the way to bed. Readers are in on Little Bear’s secret, making this Little Golden Book a silly favorite.
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The Day the Crayons Came Home
Available from:Even if you haven’t read The Day the Crayons Quit, now is the perfect time to add the sequel to your bedtime stack because your kids will want to read this hilarious book every night.
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Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2020.