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10 bedtime stories for babies and toddlers

10 bedtime stories for babies and toddlers

Reading with your baby or toddler should be a very important part of your daily routine as establishing regular reading at home is a great way to build your child's vocabulary and comprehension no matter what age they are.  Moreover, it can promote special bonding with parents.

 

We have put together a list of 10 of our favourite bedtime stories to be read to little ones. Some have the purpose of putting your little one in the mood to settle down before bed, whilst others are geared more to help get their imagination going.  Whatever you choose to read to your child make sure that you read with enthusiasm in a comfortable area and as often as possible!

 

Sleep Stories – 5 stories to get your little one into the mood!  

 

 

  1. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

In this classic bedtime story the quiet poetry of the words and calm illustrations combine to make this the perfect book for the end of the day.

  

  1. How Will I Ever Sleep in This Bed? By Della Ross Ferreri

If your child is about to make the transition from cot to big boy/girl’s bed this book could be the perfect bedtime story.  A sweet and funny story with contagious rhymes -  adding this to your daily routine could help your toddler sleep in his or her own bed!

 

 

  1. I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt and Cyd Moore

With the moral of this story being that your mummy loves you no matter what, this is an ideal book for bonding between mum and child!

 

 

 

  1. Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest

This delightful story about bedtime routines makes wonderful use of repetition and has beautifully cosy illustrations.  It is the perfect book to snuggle up with with your little one!

 

 

 

  1. Guess How Much I Love You By Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram

A classic beloved by generations ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ is filled with sweet illustrations and tells the story of a little bunny trying to express to his parent how big his love is.  This adorable book ends in sleep, perfect for a bedtime story!

 

 

Fun stories – 5 stories to help your child’s imagination grow!

 

  1. That’s not my tractor

A book from the ‘Osborne touchy-feely books’, ‘That’s Not My Tractor’ is a lively, colourful story with the added opportunity to touch a variety of textures which should appeal to the imagination of very young children as they explore the surfaces of a toy tractor.  The book is designed to help to develop children's sensory and language awareness.

 

 

 

  1. Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

This classic story-book about a child looking for the perfect pet will continue to delight generations of readers.  The interactive flaps are engaging and the illustrations of the animals encourage the reader to add in animal noises to further entertain!

 

 

  1. Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet & Allan Ahlberg 

This well-loved book from author and illustrator team Janet and Allan Ahlberg is a real favourite with families with excellent rhyming text and adorable drawings.  Each beautifully illustrated page encourages you and your child to find another familiar nursery rhyme character.


  

 

  1. Where's Spot? by Eric Hill

One of the best ever lift-the-flap books, this charming story is the first in a whole series about Spot the dog.  Children will love hunting for Spot throughout this colourfully illustrated book!

 

  

  1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

An old-favourite is re-imagined with this bright and beautiful fold-out pop-up that follows the Very Hungry Caterpillar's journey from tiny caterpillar to beautiful butterfly based on the classic picture book.

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