By this age, many children are starting to read simple books on their own — but that doesn’t mean they’ve outgrown bedtime stories. In fact, this is a golden age for reading to your child.
Sharing longer, slightly more advanced stories at bedtime:
- Helps build vocabulary and comprehension
- Makes reading a pleasure, not just a school task
- Sparks meaningful conversations about feelings and choices
- Strengthens your bond — especially during quiet, end-of-day moments
Here are some beautifully told, child-approved stories that make perfect end-of-day reads.
🐛 1. The Gigantic Turnip retold by Aleksei Tolstoy, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey
In this lively retelling of a Russian folktale, it takes teamwork (and a lot of pulling!) to get a giant turnip out of the ground.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: Repetition, rhythm, and community spirit — with a satisfying and funny ending.
🚀 2. Whatever Next! by Jill Murphy
Baby Bear wants to go to the moon — in a cardboard box, with a picnic. But he must be back before bath time!
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: A gentle space adventure with imagination, rhythm, and a perfect return-to-bedtime ending.
🦉 3. Goodnight Everyone by Chris Haughton
Little Bear is not sleepy — but as the forest animals yawn and stretch, even Little Bear begins to feel tired.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: A lovely visual crescendo into sleep, with rich colours and a soothing pace that echoes the rhythm of nodding off.
🧙 4. Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas, illustrated by Korky Paul
Winnie’s house and her cat Wilbur are both black — and sometimes they disappear! A wild magical fix ensues.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: Zany and imaginative with detailed illustrations children love to pore over.
🦉 5. The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson, illustrated by Paul Howard
Plop the barn owl doesn’t like the dark — until he meets people who show him it’s not so scary after all.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: Gently encouraging for children with nighttime worries.
🧚 6. The Fairytale Hairdresser and Rapunzel by Abie Longstaff, illustrated by Lauren Beard
Kittie Lacey, a modern-day hairdresser to fairytale characters, helps Rapunzel escape a rather stylish tower.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: Familiar fairytales with a twist — bold, sparkly illustrations and empowering storytelling.
🌟 7. How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers
A little boy dreams of catching a star to keep as a friend — and never gives up trying.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: Quiet, whimsical, and filled with gentle wonder — a story of imagination, longing, and hopeful persistence.
🐸 8. Oi Frog! by Kes Gray, illustrated by Jim Field
A frog doesn’t want to sit on a log — and questions all the ridiculous rhyming rules of the animal kingdom.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: Laugh-out-loud rhyme and silliness — great for ending the day with a giggle.
💬 Final Note
If your child is already reading, don’t feel bedtime stories are “too young.” Reading aloud lets you explore richer language, more complex plots, and big feelings — all in a calm, loving space. And best of all, it gives you both something to look forward to each evening.