Bedtime

I Just Want to Say Goodnight by Rachel Isadora – This has been a favorite in our house since we got it. It tells the story of a little girl on the African veld saying goodnight to all the creatures, and some objects around her as a stalling tactic, all while her parents get more annoyed in the background. The art is amazing.

Llama Llama Red Pajama – by Anna Dewdney
There is an illustration in this book that incites a fit of giggles from me every time I read it aloud. There are some days I can barely breathe I’m laughing so hard. Little Llama’s mother puts him to bed and goes to mama Llama things. As Llama Llama begins to think about how alone he is in the dark, his fear increases and he starts to fret. Of course all is well in the end after a kiss from Mama.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown & Clement Hurd
The classic story of a small bunny saying goodnight to all the things in his room as well as the moon told in rhyme. A soothing book to ease any little one into sleep.

Lilah Tov Goodnight by Ben Gundersheimer (Mister G) &  Noar Lee Naggan – As night falls, a little girl and her family pack a few belongings and leave their home on foot, eventually traveling by boat to a distant land, before settling in a new home. Along the way the little girl says “lilah tov” – good night, to the animals and landscapes they pass. After arriving in their new home, the girl falls peacefully to sleep.

Fight the Night by Tomie DePaola – When his playtime is cut short because night is falling, Ronald decides to stay up and fight the Night. He has a cute nighttime adventure trying to find the Night so he can fight, then spends the whole next day sleeping. Perfect for any kid who thinks they can fight sleep at bedtime.

Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman –
As a zoo keeper closes the zoo for the night, a gorilla walks behind him opening all the cages and freeing the animals, who then follow the zoo keeper home and into his bedroom to sleep. When all the animals say “goodnight” in response to the zoo keeper’s wife’s “goodnight”, she realizes they are there and takes them back to the zoo. This one is perfect for mischievous little toddlers.