Five Bedtime Stories To Read to Your Kids

Bedtime is such a special time for parents and children.  Some studies indicate that bedtime is one of the most important times for bonding between a parent and a child.  

There are a variety of rituals that take place at bedtime, but the favourite among most parents and children is story time.  During story time, the voice of a parent becomes the catalyst for the expansion of their child’s imagination.  The extraordinary combination of tone of voice and content of story captivates the minds of children and encourages their development.  

Below are five great stories that you may include on your child’s bedtime story list.

Goodnight Moon
This 20th century classic by Margaret Wise Brown was first published in 1947.  This soothing tale is about surveying and acknowledging every item in your room before going to sleep.  Loaded with fuzzy and cuddly animals, this story is bound to make every child feel at ease before he closes his eyes to go to sleep.

Guess How Much I Love You
This tale by Sam McBratney is all about the capacity for love.  Two cute-as-a-button bunnies (actually hares, but most kids won’t care to know the difference) are the stars of this story and each one tries to show the other how much he loves him using physical space.  Physical space proves an inadequate measuring device by the end of the tale, revealing the theme of the tale: love is immeasurable.  A beautiful way to end the day.

Dr. Seuss’s ABC
No child’s book collection is complete without Dr. Seuss.  This ABC storybook is actually appropriate to read at any time of the day.  However, just before bedtime is especially effective since her brain will be have more time to assimilate the alphabet during sleep. 
 
Alligator Pie
This Canadian classic by Dennis Lee is actually a collection of nursery rhymes.   They are still effective at bedtime, however, because they are short and witty and easy for kids to memorize.  Sometimes, children like to read along at bedtime.  These nursery rhymes make it easy for kids to join in and in some cases sing along.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Absolutely unconventional, but a favourite in my household.  This British tale by Judith Kerr is charming albeit a little ridiculous.  A walking, talking tiger with impeccable manners pops in unexpectedly for dinner and a delighted little girl and her mum allow him to eat everything in their house before he leaves.  This book is great for expanding the imagination of children and because the tiger is so friendly and well spoken, he does is not at all threatening.

Alison Taylor
		About the author:
		Alison Taylor studies English literature at the University of Toronto. Dissecting language and absorbing literary theory provides her with intellectual stimulation, but Alison’s passion for overall wellness and contemporary culture compels her to write for the mainstream reader as well as her professors.  When Alison isn’t at her computer, she is hanging out with her very own “mini me”, personally training clients in her home studio, or baking cookies in an attempt to pacify an insatiable sweet tooth.
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