Best bedtime stories for preschoolers

Written by Christy Robertson and illustrated by Caroline Lee, Little Seven Press, (AGES 3-5) Help your kid end their day on a positive note with this storybook that promotes gratitude and good thoughts. With cute rhyming text and adorable characters, this book is sure to become a staple in your bedtime story rotation. $15, mindsnugglers.com

Written by Nicholas Oldland, Scholastic Canada, (AGES 3-5) Bob, the bouncy hoppy frog just wants to hop. Sometimes all his energy is run out from not going to bed that he gets so sleepy during the day, including on a field trip to the zoo! This book is a great reminder to kiddos that rest is important to feel energized the next day. $17, indigo.ca 

Written by Michaël Escoffier, Illustrated by Kris Di Giacomo, Princeton Architectural Press, (AGES 3-6) Will Charlie ever get to sleep? Everytime he tries to snooze, someone starts making a racket outside. Kids will love reading out all of the noisy words and watching Charlie’s bedtime routine get hilariously mixed up. $25, amazon.ca

Written and Illustrated by Debi Gliori, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, (AGES 3-5)
This gently rhyming book will help your little drift off to sleep as they say goodnight to the whole world. From a family of fish reading a bedtime story to a giant rocket wearing its jammies, your kid will enjoy the cute and quriky illustrations this bedtime storie has to offer. $23, indigo.ca

Written by Samantha Berger, Illustrated by Kristyna Litten, Dial Books for Young Readers, (AGES 3-5)
Welcome to Snoozefest, an arena festival dedicated to sleep—complete with lullabies, milk and honey and designer pajamas. Join little sloth Snuggleford Cuddlebun as she prepares for the festivities. $20, amazon.ca

Written by Chris Hadfield, Illustrated by Terry and Eric Fan, Tundra Books, (AGES 4-8)
Young Chris loves space and has dreams of becoming an astronaut. There’s just one problem—he’s afraid of the dark. However, when he watches the moon landing, he begins to understand that even the darkest dark can hold the most beautiful wonders. $23, amazon.ca

Written by Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Clement Hurd, HarperCollins, (AGES 3-5)
“Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” In this classic bedtime story, Bunny says goodnight to everything his little eyes can see. $11, indigo.ca 

Written and Illustrated by Maurice Sendak, HarperCollins, (AGES 3-5) Dive right into this imaginative story of magic, kings, and Wild Things! Introduce your young reader to this classic of children’s literature and “let the wild rumpus start.” $10, indigo.ca

Written by Sherri Duskey Rinker, Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, Chronicle Books, (AGES 3-5)
When night falls on a big construction site, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck and Excavator begin their goodnight ritual. Let your little truck lover be lulled to sleep by this rhyming tale. $24, indigo.ca

Written and Illustrated by Anna Dewdney, Viking Books for Young Readers, (AGES 3-5)
What do you get when you leave an anxious llama alone in bed? A relatable, rhyming read for any kid who worries when they’re left alone. $24, indigo.ca

Written and Illustrated by Dr. Seuss, Penguin Random House, (AGES 3-5)
When a sleepy Van Vleck sets off a string of contagious yawns, everyone feels it’s time for bed. Let the magic of Dr. Seuss help your little yawner catch some zzz’s. $22, indigo.ca 

Written and Illustrated by Bob Shea, Disney-Hyperion, (AGES 3-5) What happens when this unstoppable little dinosaur meets his biggest challenger yet—bedtime? This one will have kids roaring until they’re snoring. $18, indigo.ca

Written and Illustrated by Peggy Rathmann, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, (AGES 3-5) Why go to bed when you can make mischief instead? Read what happens when a wide-awake gorilla causes trouble for the zookeeper as he bids all the other animals goodnight. $10, amazon.ca

Written by Deborah Underwood, Illustrated by Renata Liwska, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, (AGES 4-7)
From morning to night there are many kinds of quiet that fill our day—and this book celebrates all of them. Read along as furry friends demonstrate the many hushed moments that fill our daily life. $10, indigo.ca

Written by Martin Waddell, Illustrated by Barbara Firth, Candlewick Press, (AGES 3-5)
Afraid of the dark? Big Bear sets out to show Little Bear that nighttime is nothing to be afraid of. $10, indigo.ca 

Written by Sarah Albee, Illustrated by Maggie Swanson, Penguin Random House, (AGES 1-4)
Excuses, excuses, excuses! Elmo isn’t ready for sleep, and has a million reasons that he should stay awake. $6, amazon.ca

Written and Illustrated by Sandra Boynton, Aladdin Books, (AGES 2-5) 
How many hippos does it take to make a party? What starts out as small group, quickly turns into an all-night party when one lonely hippo invites two friends over. Will they ever go to sleep? It’s the perfect remedy for those tired of counting just sheep. $10, indigo.ca

Written by Abe Sauer, Illustrated by Nathaniel Davauer, University of Minnesota Press, (AGES 3-5)
Read the Northwoods spin on the childhood classic, complete with a loon, Tater Tot hotdish, and deer ticks. If you loved Goodnight Moon, you’ll love this sweet Minnesotan re-telling. $13, indigo.ca

Written by Lemony Snicket, Illustrated by Jon Klassen, HarperCollins, (AGES 3-6)
Lazlo knows the Dark is hiding all over his house—especially in the basement. But when his nightlight burns out, the Dark finally comes to Lazlo’s room. However, when we’re forced to face our fears, we may find that they’re not as scary as we thought. $20, indigo.ca

Written by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper, Illustrated by Cooper Kelly, Good Night Books, (AGES 3-5)
In this installment of The Good Night Books series, readers say good night to a variety of diverse families. Mixed-race families, single parents, gay and lesbian parents, foster-care families, grandparents and more are featured in this story of inclusivity and acceptance. $10, amazon.ca

Written and Illustrated by Mo Willems, HarperCollins, (AGES 3-5)
A towel for Pig the Pig, water for Crab the Crab, and a stuffed animal for Shark the Shark. Follow Cat the Cat as she helps her friends get ready for bed. $14, indigo.ca

Read more: Bedtime stories for babies and toddlers 18 books on nighttime fears 3 ways to make bedtime easier