The Kiss That Missed


David Melling - 2002
    After rattling around the Prince's bedroom, it flies out the window and floats into the dark forest, where it has no business to be. The King decides to do something about it. He orders the Knight to climb on his horse, ride into the forest, and bring back the kiss. But the forest is filled with spooky things that frighten both the Knight and his horse. How will they ever succeed in bringing the kiss back to the castle? This funny story features Daivd Melling's atmospheric and richly colored illustrations on every page. It makes a great bedtime story for kids who are about the same age as the Little Prince. (Ages 4-7)

Time for Bed's Story


Monica Arnaldo - 2020
    Bed knows you do not like bedtime. And Bed gets it. But look ... YOU are not so great, either ...Bed is fed up. Bed's patience is wearing thin. For years, Bed has put up with the kicking at night, the jumping during the day, not to mention the storing of all manner of stinky items. But enough is enough. Now it's time to consider Bed's feelings ...In a story that's never been told before, Monica Arnaldo's hilarious picture book explores the point of view of an unusual narrator: a child's bed. Irreverent and full of personality, Arnaldo's Bed is also full of love and compassion, making for a relatable and, ultimately, endearing story. This playful and highly original book offers a lighthearted way to approach discussions on communication, perspective and viewpoint. It can be used to promote critical thinking in young children and an understanding that there are at least two sides to every story. It also contains character education lessons on compassion, respect and empathy.

Dream Animals: A Bedtime Journey


Emily Winfield Martin - 2013
    With a perfect nighttime rhyme and gorgeous illustrations, this book is irresistible.

Nightsong


Ari Berk - 2012
    It’s an adventure, but how will he find his way? And how will he find his way home? As the young bat discovers, navigating the world around him is easy as long as he uses his good sense.This beautiful and touching coming-of-age story, with mesmerizing artwork from New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long and lyrical text from Ari Berk, conveys a heartwarming and universal message: No matter how far away you go, you can always find your way home.

The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo


Judy Blume - 1969
    Life seems lonely when you're the middle kid in the family. Freddy feels like "the peanut butter part of a sandwich," squeezed between an older brother and little sister. But now for the first time it's Freddy's chance to show everyone, including himself, just how special he is!

Waiting for the Biblioburro


Monica Brown - 2011
    She often makes them up to help her little brother fall asleep. But in her small village there are only a few books and she has read them all. One morning, Ana wakes up to the clip-clop of hooves, and there before her, is the most wonderful sight: a traveling library resting on the backs of two burros—all the books a little girl could dream of, with enough stories to encourage her to create one of her own.Inspired by the heroic efforts of real-life librarian Luis Soriano, award-winning picture book creators Monica Brown and John Parra introduce readers to the mobile library that journeys over mountains and through valleys to bring literacy and culture to rural Colombia, and to the children who wait for the BiblioBurro.A portion of the proceeds from sales of this book was donated to Luis Soriano's BiblioBurro program.

The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature


Nathan W. Pyle - 2021
    Pyle presents a picture book. When the nearest star rises, Lifegiver has an exciting quest planned for Offspring! Follow along as they observe a strange creature that sneaks, hides, and vibrates around their house.

The Snowman and the Snowdog


Raymond Briggs - 2014
      In this holiday picture book, a companion to Raymond Briggs’s The Snowman, a little boy builds a snow puppy next to his snowman—in hopes of getting a real puppy for Christmas. That night the Snowman comes to life and takes the boy and the Snowdog on an adventure to the world of Snow People. But the best is yet to come on Christmas morning, when a real, live puppy is waiting under the tree.   Based on the original classic by Raymond Briggs, which has sold over 8.5 million copies and is available in fifteen languages, the story and illustrations are by the creators of the animated special by the same name.

I Love to Dance


Anna Walker - 2008
    Join in as Ollie dances like jelly with a wobbly belly and wriggles after a bath.

Cat & Bunny


Mary Lundquist - 2015
    Cat and Bunny. Bunny and Cat.It's always been just the two of them—daydreaming, having adventures, playing their special game. Until the day someone else asks, "Can I play?"Mary Lundquist captures all the charm and magic of first friendship in her winning debut picture book.

Mango, Abuela, and Me


Meg Medina - 2015
    The night she arrives, Mia tries to share her favorite book with Abuela before they go to sleep and discovers that Abuela can’t read the words inside. So while they cook, Mia helps Abuela learn English ("Dough. Masa"), and Mia learns some Spanish too, but it’s still hard for Abuela to learn the words she needs to tell Mia all her stories. Then Mia sees a parrot in the pet-shop window and has the perfect idea for how to help them all communicate a little better. An endearing tale from an award-winning duo that speaks loud and clear about learning new things and the love that bonds family members.

Back to Bed, Ed


Sebastien Braun - 2009
    But while Ed loves going to bed, he doesn't like staying there.At bedtime, Ed plays silly games with Dad. He has a drink and brushes his teeth. He takes a bath and cuddles with Mom for a bedtime story. Then Ed is off to bed with hugs and kisses. But night after night he tiptoes down the hall and climbs into Mom and Dad's big bed. Mom and Dad aren't getting much sleep, so they come up with a plan to keep Ed in his bed. Ed doesn't think much of Mom and Dad's plan―so he comes up with one on his own!Parents transitioning their little ones from cribs to toddler beds will immediately relate to Sebastien Braun's charming spin on the perennial challenge of getting young children to stay in bed. Bright, uncluttered illustrations complement the simplicity of the story.Awards: Best Children's Books of the Year --Bank Street College of EducationCCBC Choices (Picture Books for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers) --Cooperative Children's Book Center

Hedgehugs


Steve Wilson - 2014
    Together, they make daisy chains, splash in puddles, and have tea parties. But there is one thing they can't do—hug! They are just too spiky. Throughout the seasons, these two hedgehogs will try many different ways of hugging. But will Horace and Hattie find a hug that feels just right?

Lion Tiger Bear: Tag! You're It!


Ethan Long - 2016
    One day, Tiger and Bear want to play a game of tag, but Lion doesn’t want to be disturbed; instead, he wants some quiet time to work on a painting. Tiger and Bear try to entice Lion to play, but their antics only have the opposite effect—what does a lion have to do to find some peace and quiet? In the end, Lion has a surprise for his friends after they exercise some patience, and each learns why it’s important to have both quiet time and playtime. Stunning illustrations by Ethan Long, author and illustrator of Hi!, a Parents Magazine Best Book of 2015, are rendered in a vintage style with variations in texture.

Monster Trouble!


Lane Fredrickson - 2015
    Winifred constructs clever traps, but nothing stops these crafty creatures. What's a girl to do? (Hint: Monsters HATE kisses!) The delightfully sweet ending will have every kid—and little monster—begging for an encore.