Race You to Bed


Bob Shea - 2008
    . . Set . . . Go to Bed!Jet to bed to get to bed!Don't be fooled or be misled!I'm gonna beat you, beat you to bed!It's a race to bedtime—but who will get there first?This zippy read-aloud will make bedtime a fun time for those little ones reluctant to make it to the nightly finish line.

Posy


Linda Newbery - 2008
    This beautifully illustrated picture book by an award-winning author and illustrator team is bound to be adored by cat lovers of all ages, everywhere!

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes


Mem Fox - 2008
    . . . And here, from two of the most gifted picture-book creators of our time, is a celebration of baby fingers, baby toes, and the joy they—and the babies they belong to—bring to everyone, everywhere, all over the world! This is a gorgeously simple picture book for very young children, and once you finish the rhythmic, rhyming text, all you’ll want to do is go back to the beginning . . . and read it again! The luminous watercolor illustrations of these roly-poly little ones from a variety of backgrounds are adorable, quirky, and true to life, right down to the wrinkles, dimples, and pudges in their completely squishable arms, legs, and tummies.

Storm Song


Nancy Viau - 2013
    Boom. Bang! Rumble, rap, roar!Follow the beginning, middle, and end of thunderstorm with children and their dog who find comfort in a cozy home filled with fun and love. With lyrical text and vibrant illustration, STORM SONG captures the essence of a rainy day from that first whisk of a wet leaf to the final spit of a single raindrop.

A Bear's Year


Kathy Duval - 2014
       Deep in her den under a snowflake blanket, Mama snuggles her newborn babies. When spring arrives, the bears awaken and emerge from their lair, and as the weather warms to summer, Mama teaches her young ones to fish, gather berries, and dig for roots. Then, in fall, the leaves turn gold, food grows scarce, and the family prepares for hibernation and the coming winter.   With spare, accessible text and charming illustrations, here is a sweet, gentle introduction to how bears experience the changing seasons, perfect for the youngest readers and listeners.

Grandma's Tiny House: A Counting Story!


JaNay Brown-Wood - 2017
    Neighbors, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and grandkids crowd into the house and pile it high with treats for a family feast.But when the walls begin to bulge and no-body has space enough to eat, one clever grandchild knows exactly what to do.Where there's a will there's a way when families grow and come together."A warmhearted tribute to the messy joys of a big, impromptu gathering" -- Publisher's Weekly STARRED review"A fine addition to book collections about families, food, counting, and joyous gatherings" -- The Horn Book "This counting story will have repeated readings during the holidays and all year round" -- School Library Journal"Grandma's lucky to have all these family members, and young readers are even luckier to be invited to this wonderful family gathering." -- Kirkus ReviewsChicago Public Library's 2017 Best of the Best Books selection

Good Night Like This


Mary Murphy - 2016
    The rhythmic text is just right for gently lulling them to sleep while cuddly rabbits, bears, dogs, and even a dragonfly each take turns tucking in their little ones. The gentle pacing and sweet pictures will be sure to elicit lots of oohs, aahs, and . . . zzzzzzs! Featuring novelty elements such as cut-away pages and foil effects, this is a cozy and delightful bedtime book for parents and children to share.

Night Night, Groot


Brendan Deneen - 2017
    Just as his eyes start to close, Rocket Raccoon bursts onto the scene! Groot can't go to sleep yet, there's a whole galaxy that needs to be defended and they must work together to save the day! Then maybe, just maybe, Groot will finally get the rest he deserves!

Snoozefest


Samantha Berger - 2015
    In fact, she's such a good sleeper that she decides to go to Snoozefest, an arena festival that celebrates sleep. There, she lounges in her hammock while bands like the Nocturnal Nesters and the Quiet Quartet serenade the audience with lullabies. There's warm milk and honey to be had, designer pajamas from Diane von Firstinbed, and no one dares be seen without a baby blanket. But before she knows it, the nuzzling, snuggling, and dreaming are over—and Snuggleford has slept through it all.This hilariously endearing bedtime story is perfect for anyone who loves sloths, music festivals, and/or cuddles.

I Dare You Not to Yawn


Helene Boudreau - 2013
    Otherwise, you might find your mouth opening wide and letting out a great big yawny yaaaaaawn — hey, you were supposed hold it in! A hilarious read-aloud that is so much fun, kids will beg for it again and again, whatever the consequences.

Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?


Nancy White Carlstrom - 1986
    At lunchtime, celery crunch and sprouts in a bunch, and juice from a pear and rice in his hair. And at night, his pjs with feet and face on the seat, and sleep in his eyes and stars in the skies, as he dreams of the fun he'll have tomorrow. In lilting verse and exuberant paintings, the first of Nancy White Carlstrom's and Bruce Degen's celebrated Jesse Bear books creates a special day not only for Jesse Bear, but for young children everywhere.

Everyone Sleeps


Marcellus Hall - 2013
    Curious to find out if anyone else is awake, he wanders far and wide—through fields and forests, across lakes and oceans—only to find all creatures fast asleep. Conrad is wide-awake, although counting a herd of snoring sheep does make him drowsy! Is everyone asleep?Marcellus Hall’s lush nighttime scenes glow with warmth in this playful bedtime story, which features a variety of land and sea creatures, and is narrated by a funny little goggle-eyed pug who will steal readers’ hearts.

Cricket Song


Anne Hunter - 2016
    While differences between cultures may be obvious, ultimately, this lovely story of sleep is a tale about interconnection.

Steam Train, Dream Train


Sherri Duskey Rinker - 2013
    In this book with rhyming text, the dream train pulls into the station and all the different cars are loaded by the animal workers, each with the appropriate cargo.

The Way Home in the Night


Akiko Miyakoshi - 2015
    "My mother carries me through the quiet streets," the bunny explains. "Most of our neighbors are already home." The bunny can see their lights in the windows, and hear and smell what they might be doing: talking on the phone, pulling a pie out of the oven, having a party, saying goodbye. When they reach home, the father rabbit tucks the bunny into bed. But the bunny continues to wonder about the neighbors' activities. "Are the party guests saying goodnight? Is the person on the phone getting ready for bed?" And what of the footsteps that can be heard in the street as the bunny falls asleep? "Will she take the last train home?"This beautiful picture book captures the magical wonder a child feels at being outside in the night. Award-winning author and illustrator Akiko Miyakoshi's softly focused black-and-white illustrations with just a touch of neutral color have a dreamlike quality, just right for nodding off to sleep with. The book is intriguing in that it contains twice-told stories, once as they are observed and second as the bunny imagines them. This offers a perfect prompt for young children to create extensions of other stories they have read or heard. A deeper reading could encourage critical thinking by comparing the different pastimes of the neighbors or, ultimately, what it means to be home.