Best New Picture Books for Bedtime

I love a good bedtime story.  There are so many classic favorites.  Here is a list of more recently published picture books, perfect for little ones—birth to however long your kids (or grandkids) will allow you to read to them.

Chengdu Could Not, Would Not Fall Asleep

Barney Saltzberg, author & illustrator

Everyone is asleep in the bamboo grove, except Chengdu.  He tosses, turns, and twitches, but he just cannot get into the a comfortable enough position to drift off.  Then he tries rolling and hanging.  Still, wide-awake.  Chengdu finally finds a solution…unfortunately, it has unintended consequences.  If your little ones love panda bears (like me), they won’t be able to resist this bedtime book. 

Bedtime for Yeti

Vin Vogel, author & illustrator

Yeti and his stuffed friend do everything together—swing, snack, play.  They look forward to snuggling together at bedtime.  When his friend goes missing, Yeti looks everywhere for him.   He ends up having to go to bed without him, but he is afraid of the shadows and noises.  A flash of lightening from a thunderstorm illuminates his room. Yeti spies his friend surrounded by danger.  Yeti must find the courage to save him.  It is a delightful story for children with bedtime fears and stuff-animal dependence.

Good Night, Bunny

Lauren Thompson, author

Stephanie Yue, illustrator

In this soothing and endearing bedtime story, Bunny says good night to his world—the flowers, the insects, the birds, and other creatures.  Rhythmic lines like “Good night, sun and bright red sky.  Good night, swallows swooping by” help lull little ones to sleep. The stunning watercolor illustrations help create a perfect nighttime read. 

Monster Trouble!

Lane Fredrickson, author

Michael Robertson, illustrator

Winifred Schnitzel is not afraid of anything—not pirates, not scary movies, and not even monsters.  At bedtime, though, the neighborhood monsters will not leave her alone so she could sleep.  She tries all sorts of clever ways to keep them at bay, but they keep coming back…until she finally discovers their one silly weakness!  This imaginative story takes the idea of keeping away the monsters to a whole new level! 

Go Sleep in Your Own Bed!

Candace Fleming, author

Lori Nichols, illustrator

It is bedtime on the farm—but many of the animals have fallen asleep in the wrong spot!  Pig toddles to his sty. When he plops down, he hears a “moooo!” Who could that be?  Cow!  Pig tells her, “Go Sleep in your own bed!”  Cow tromps to her stall, but she hears a loud “bwaaaak!” It’s chicken. The story follows the same predictable repetitive pattern until all the animals have settled in the correct beds.  The sound clues encourage listeners to guess who is in the wrong bed each time.  Go Sleep in Your Own Bed! is a comical, interactive bedtime narrative..

I Just Want to Say Good Night

Rachel Isadora, author & illustrator

The day is coming to a close.  The moon is out.  Lala is not ready to go to sleep though.  With a stunning African village backdrop, the young girl visits the nearby animals—cat, goat, monkey, bird—to tell them “good night.”  Grasping for a way to stay awake, she wishes the ants, the rocks, and even her book a “good night.” The vivid pictures and increasingly soothing colors, make for a lovely diverse reading experience that illustrates a universal nighttime ritual.  The story ends with a sweet tribute to Margaret Wise Brown’s Good Night Moon.

Touch the Brightest Star

Christie Matheson, author & illustrator

Children are invited to help make the “magic” of the night happen.  They press on the firefly to help him glow, blow a quiet breeze, pat the deer, make a wish on a star, and much more.  The simple text and illustrations introduce listeners to the sights and sounds of the night while lulling them off to sleep.  The winning interactive text makes this story stand out from the pack. 

My Tail’s Not Tired!

Jana Novotny Hunter, author

Paula Bowles, illustrator

Little Monster can’t go to bed—his knees aren’t tired yet, or his bottom, or is tail.  He is full of wiggles, swings, and boings!  Big Monster helps Little Monster get out all his left over energy and, finally, drift off to sleep.  This one is perfect for the rambunctious child who needs help settling down. 

The Big Bed

Bunmi Laditan, author

Tom Knight, illustrator

Reluctant to sleep in her own bed, the smart and witty protagonists attempts to convince her parents she needs to sleep in their big bed—but, only with mommy.  She anticipates their objections and refutes each one (including the peeing the bed issue).  The argument ends with an “ideal” solution for where daddy will sleep. Full of humor and spunk, this story is sure to make kids and adults laugh.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Car

Kate Dopirak, author

Mary Peterson, illustrator

It’s bedtime, but little car wants to drive instead.  Using the rhythmic tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” he travels around town wishing the other cars and trucks goodnight.  Finally feeling tired out, he returns home so his beep-beep dreams can start.  It is the perfect story for car and truck enthusiasts. 

Here are reviews for a couple other recent bedtime stories... 

Nothing Can Frighten a Bear 

Where, Oh Where, Is Baby Bear?

Other Stories to Check Out

Good Day, Good Night

Don’t Blink

George in the Dark

The Too-Scary Story

If Your Monster Won’t Go to Bed