The best bedtime stories for kids

For children aged 0-18 months

This soft touch-and-feel bedtime story for babies is perfect for little hands just starting to reach out and explore. The engaging story is accompanied with adorable illustrations from Kay Vincent.

For children aged 10 - 18 months

A delightful first storybook designed for older babies. Each spread has finger trails cut into the page, and textured illustrations for little hands to trace. With beautiful, warm illustrations to capture the imagination, and a gentle rhythmic, lullaby-text, this book of kids' bedtime stories about sleepy people and creatures is perfect for little ones preparing for bed. 

For children aged 10-18 months

Designed to help children learn a bedtime routine and get to sleep independently, each page of this book comes with a helpful tip for parents and carers on encouraging toddlers to get to sleep.

For children aged 0-3 years

This relatable bedtime story from bestselling author-illustrator Marta Altes is as enjoyable a read for parents as it is for the little ones. Five More Minutes is a funny and relatable read about a father trying to get his young children to bed.

For children aged 0-3 years

This simple rhyming story of Cat saying goodnight to all her animal friends is a fun read for bedtime. Encourage your little one to join in with the animal noises!

For children aged 0-3 years

This Jill Murphy classic bedtime story is beloved by both children and parents alike. Full of beautiful illustrations accompanying a gentle story based on repetition, this book is perfect for soothing any child off to sleep.

For children aged 0 - 3 years

From "Wee Willie Winkie", to "Rock-a-bye Baby", the sounds and rhythms of these gentle nursery rhymes are a great way to help children wind down the day and ready for sleep. 

For children aged 0 - 3 years

Chosen as one of BookTrust and Supernanny Jo Frost's Best Bedtime Reads for Newborns.

This gentle bedtime story has lulled generations of children to sleep. Margaret Wise Brown's comforting, rhythmical text accompanied by the warmth of Clement Hurd's classic mid-century illustrations make Goodnight Moon a timeless picture book.

For children aged 0 - 3 years

From "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to "Hush-a-bye Baby", these twelve classic nursery rhymes and traditional lullabies are beautifully illustrated by the award-winning Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo. With a read-along CD that slots neatly into the cover, Mother Goose's Bedtime Rhymes is the perfect bedtime book for families to share.

Perfect for children aged 0 - 3 years

When it's time for us to go to bed, owls are just waking up and one curious little owl is ready to discover the wonders of night-time. But where are all the other owls? A perfect preschool introduction to the nocturnal world with something to count on every page.

For children aged 3-5 years

This beautifully illustrated bedtime story from Catherine Rayner has a gentle mindfulness message which is especially helpful for little ones who have trouble going to sleep. Arlo the lion is exhausted, but he just can’t fall asleep, no matter what he tries. But then he meets Owl, who can sleep all through the day. Can she teach Arlo some special tricks?

For children aged 3-5 years

Who can go to sleep without their favourite teddy bear? This fun bedtime adventure sees Bear journey back to his friend Tom in time for bedtime. With flaps to lift on every page, your child will be delighted by the story’s surprises.

For children aged 3 - 5 years

A little ghost tries to give Lydia Lou a scare . . .  but he can't even wake her up. So he fetches his noisy animal friends to help! A gentle and playful bedtime read from Julia Donaldson, the author of The Gruffalo. Wake Up Do, Lydia Lou! is full of fun sounds which children will love to join in with time and time again.

For children aged 3 - 5 years

When we are fast asleep in bed, the Midnight Library springs to life. The little librarian and her three assistant owls help each and every night-time animal to find the perfect book. But with a noisy squirrel band, an upset wolf and a slow-reading tortoise to help, they could all be in for a very busy night. A beautiful, big-hearted book about the joy of reading and the importance of libraries.

 For children aged 5-9 years

Your child is sure to love any one of these fourteen fantastically funny stories, starring squirrel choirs, flying rabbits and tiny people living in plant pots! This book is full of beautifully detailed drawings from the illustrator of The Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler.

For children aged 5 years and up

With stories from Berlie Doherty, Dick King-Smith, Joan G. Robinson, Adele Geras and many more, Bedtime Stories for 5 Year Olds is a rich and varied selection of heart-warming stories, perfect for snuggling up with at bedtime. Great for reading alone or reading aloud - and for dipping into time and time again.

For children aged 5 - 9 years

A Poem For Every Night of the Year is a magnificent collection of 366 poems compiled by Allie Esiri, one to share for every night of the year. Perfect for reading aloud and sharing with all the family, it contains a full spectrum of poetry from familiar favourites to exciting contemporary voices. 

Perfect for children aged 5 - 9 years

Hilary Mckay's Fairy Tales features ten classic tales each with a unique twist. Was Rapunzel free after she escaped her tower? What was Rumpilstiltskin's real story? Perfect for reading at bedtime.