There’s nothing quite like snuggling up with your baby or toddler at the end of the day, sharing a story as the light dims and the world slows down. Bedtime reading doesn’t just soothe little ones to sleep — it builds language, strengthens bonds, and creates memories that last a lifetime.
These gentle, calming books are perfect for winding down with your little one. Most include soothing rhythms, comforting themes, or familiar routines — all of which help toddlers feel safe and ready for sleep.
Here are some favourite bedtime books for babies and toddlers, loved by families in both the UK and US.
🌙 1. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
A true classic. This gentle, rhythmic book says goodnight to everything in a little bunny’s world, from “the moon” to “the red balloon.”
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: The quiet, repetitive language and soft illustrations help little ones wind down.
🐻 2. Time for Bed by Mem Fox, illustrated by Jane Dyer
This soothing, rhyming text follows baby animals and their parents getting ready for sleep.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: Reassuring repetition and a loving tone make this a calming end-of-day ritual.
🐘 3. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
A mischievous gorilla steals the zookeeper’s keys and quietly lets all the animals out to follow him home!
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: Nearly wordless, full of gentle humour, and ends with everyone tucked up asleep — a fun favourite that’s still calm enough for winding down.
🦉 4. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson
Three baby owls wake up to find their mother gone — but she always comes back.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: A comforting story about separation and reassurance, with rich, atmospheric illustrations.
🧸 5. Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill
Lift-the-flap fun for even the youngest toddlers, as they help search for Spot the puppy at bedtime.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: Gentle repetition and interactivity make this a playful wind-down book — and toddlers love saying “No!” to all the wrong spots.
🚗 6. Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres, illustrated by Christian Slade
A bedtime book for little vehicle lovers. Rhyming text imagines how different machines prepare for sleep.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: Combines excitement and routine — ideal for toddlers obsessed with diggers and trucks.
🐰 7. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare try to express how much they love each other — as big as the moon, and back.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: Gentle, loving, and endlessly reassuring.
🛏️ 8. Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Unicorn by Rhiannon Fielding, illustrated by Chris Chatterton
Little Unicorn has ten minutes until bedtime — but there’s so much to see first! A colourful countdown to sleep.
📘 Why it’s perfect for bedtime: Combines a magical adventure with a countdown structure that gently leads little ones to rest.