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25 comments on Looking For Great Books To Read At Bedtime?

Looking For Great Books To Read At Bedtime?

We know how it is. Some books are more fun to read than others. Here are the ones I personally pick from our bookshelf, at bedtime.

This is a list of over 30 books even you will enjoy reading – we have recommendations for younger children (2-6) and older ones (4-8) too.  

Bedtime is a special time, a way to end the day in a cozy and sweet note. 

“Mommy, can you read me a book!” is a precious stage that gets quickly replaced once they learn how to read on their own. But, bedtime should be enjoyable, not just for your child, but for you too. Because those moments are so special and important in every childhood. They’re freshly bathed, teeth brushed…and you’re getting cozy together whether in bed or on the couch… 

So, how do we make the reading books part fun? By buying books that are well-written, funny and entertaining helps. That means for the adults too. 

Here is a great list, and we read them all. About one thousand times. No, this is not an exaggeration. Any mom will know I speak the truth. (Some books we can quote by heart by now). For a review of recent Jewish books for every age, see this post.

For tween book recommendations click here.

To view all our kids favorites in our amazon shop click here.

2-6 years

MILK AND COOKIES

shop here

2-6 years

I DON'T WANT TO BE A FROG

Easy and funny, a kids favorite, with a message about seeing the good in things.

shop here

2-6 years

GOOD NIGHT, GORILLA

shop here

2-8 years

The Doorbell Rang

One of my personal favorite books of all time. Great lesson in sharing what you have with your friends and also, a bit of math! Oh. And that grandmas cookies are always best!

shop here

2-6 years

Rosie's Walk

shop here

2-6 years

Are You My Mother?

shop here

2-6 years

A Visitor for Bear

Simple and entertaining.

shop here

2-6 years

Bear Feels Scared

shop here

3-8 years

DON'T TOUCH MY HAIR!

A funny book if you have a child with cool hair that people constantly touch (Been there!)

shop here

2-6 years

Bear Wants More

shop here

2-6 years

But No Elephants

Fantastic easy to read, beautifully illustrated and thought provoking.

Still love it.

shop here

2-6 years

How Will We Get to the Beach?

Another fantastic book that focuses on problem solving.

shop here

2-6 years

PRESS HERE

This is an interactive book that kids adore!

shop here

4-8 years 

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

shop here

4-8 years 

Doctor De Soto

Very cute and intelligent

shop here

4-8 years 

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

shop here

4-8 years 

Snoring Beauty

Really silly and funny spin on sleeping beauty story

shop here

4-8 years 

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

shop here

4-8 years 

THE SNOWY DAY

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4-8 years 

CAPS FOR SALE

It’s been a classic preschool favorite since 1940!

shop here

4-8 years 

MiSS NELSON iS MiSSiNG!

A cute lesson on how to treat a teacher nicely.

shop here

4-8 years 

FIRST DAY JITTERS

shop here

4-8 years 

A BAD CASE OF STRIPES

Colorful and funny, a real trip down imagination lane.

shop here

4-8 years 

The Mitten

shop here

4-8 years 

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

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4-8 years 

OFFICER BUCKLE AND GLORiA

shop here

4-8 years 

A CHAIR FOR MY MOTHER

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4-8 years 

Not in the House, Newton!

shop here

4-8 years 

MY LUCKY DAY

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4-8 years 

MRS. TOGGLE'S ZIPPER

shop here

4-8 years 

May I Please Have a Cookie?

For those evenings when you can barely get thru bedtime… this book is sweet and easy and short.

We have all been there.

shop here

Goodnight Moon Board book

We firmly believe that every child’s library must be started with a copy of this book.

We’ve gone through several copies (including a Hebrew one we bought in Israel when we realized we left our copy at home and simply couldn’t have bedtime without it) and it’s one of my favorite baby gifts for the people who don’t need another single outfit.

shop here

Dr. Seuss's ABC

While all of Dr. Seuss’s books are fabulous, we particularly like this one. Our kids can pretty much recite the book by heart.

shop here

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

and other books in the pigeon series are our favorites.

shop here

Are You Ready to Play Outside?

and the rest of the elephant and piggie series are also lots of fun.

shop here

Yael and Her Special Friend

The lite girl books featuring Yael are a constantly expanding series that teaches very relatable messages. Bonus—they all come with an audio CD – a great reading readiness skill!

shop here

Imagine If…

shop here

The Day the Crayons Quit

shop here

Help! We Need a Title!

shop here

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25 responses to “Looking For Great Books To Read At Bedtime?”

  1. Devora Avatar
    Devora

    This list looks great! Thank you so much! I loved the lists for older kids but mine are younger, so I’m really happy to see this one!!

    Reply
  2. BF Avatar
    BF

    Nice selection! Any yiddish books??

    Reply
    1. R Avatar
      R

      Yeah, maybe do a survey or something and readers can send in Yiddish recommendations? I would love that!

      Reply
  3. Bina Avatar
    Bina

    Miss Viola Swamp! What a trip down memory lane. How about the cat in the hat?!
    There are SO many incredible frum books out there these days. Hashem is Truly Everywhere, My mommy loves me, the Aleph Bais trip on the Aleph bais ship, I can eat everything, the Dovi books, rav Avigdor Miller and the apple seed. The big book of middos books, step into those shoes, once upon a time, goodnight my friend Aleph, Hashem loves me, Hashem’s candy store, it only takes a minute, when I Daven… so many great choices with gorgeous illustrations!

    Reply
  4. Miriam Hammer Avatar
    Miriam Hammer

    Some of our favorites for the under 6 group: The Cat in the Hat, Goodnight Moon, Goodnight Goodnight Construction Sight, Green Eggs and Ham, Elephant and Piggie books
    For the under 3 group: I Love You Through and Through, Where Am I? Where is the Green Sheep? Dear Zoo, The Very Hungry Caterpillar

    Reply
  5. Devoiry Avatar
    Devoiry

    Hashem!!!! I know that when a mother takes the time to read bedtime stories to her kids, that alone is special, but we live in a world where books of our Great Tzadikim are available in every language and for every age and stage. I want to cry when stupid books, writen by non-jews are promoted! Please, we are Yidishe Mamas, and if you take the time to do something so special, please, grab the oppurtunity to instill into your neshamalach some Yiras Shamayim! Not Stupidity!!!!

    Reply
    1. S Avatar
      S

      Agree! We have so much yiddishe talent.

      Reply
    2. Mindy Avatar
      Mindy

      I have to agree as well. There are so many amazing Jewish books out there, with new ones coming out practically every day. We have so so many favorites! The Middos train series (I can be a gibor, I can be mevater etc), Dovi and Yael series, Middos man series, Shimmy shambone, the Hachai books – I go to X, Shabbos Shabbos I love you, Is it Shabbos Yet, the Artscroll big book of middos books, Hashem loves me, messes of dresses. Fill your child’s neshama, not just their brain!

      Reply
  6. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    I Agree as well!

    Reply
  7. A Avatar
    A

    I’m not sure why this has to be a mutually exclusive concept… why can’t we all read our children beautiful Jewish children’s books with all of the middos and lessons in them, and also read the cute funny non-Jewish books? Personally, we don’t live in a community with a Jewish library, and not everyone can afford to buy new Jewish books all the time. It’s nice to have some options of books that we can get from the local library – or from Amazon for a lot less money than the Jewish books cost. My kids love the Middos Train series, Round and Round the Jewish Year, we have tons of books about Shabbos and we like to buy new books for each yuntif. However, they’re voracious little readers and love exploring new things in their little worlds! They love the newer Dr. Suess books which are less about the random silly things and talk about weather, space, the human body etc. They love Curious George books! Our personal favorite is A Perfectly Messed Up Story – I think every frum home should have a copy. It isn’t a Jewish book, but the message is so beautiful and so important for kids to learn – that everything is designed with a purpose. And when things are “messed up”, we have to remember that they are “Perfectly Messed Up” – orchestrated by Hashem. I love the conversations that some of these books have sparked. If it’s not your personal hashkafa to read these types of books, then just skip the post and move on – Between Carpools also posted a list of great new Jewish books! Thanks BCP for the ideas – it will give us something else to look for at the library this week!

    Reply
  8. Devoiry Avatar
    Devoiry

    Being Jewish is a lot more of an expensive life than a non jew’s life, in every aspect. They can go with flip flops for 99 cents, an undershirt and shorts for another few dollars. Take the average Jewish person, and they are worth at least $50 – 100 dollars at any given time. We are a lot more dignified than them and don’t settle for less. Yes, it is nice to save money, but not on the cheshbon of Yidishkeit. Take an old classical book of GoldieLocks. It sounds innocent, but she does so many Aveiros! She doesn’t listen to her mother, she steals, she breaks someone else’s possessions… Whatever. Why would you want to read that to your kids? And at bedtime? So they fall asleep with these thoughts? Gosh!!! Again, you specified that jewish libaries are not so readily available in your community. Well then I guess you make do with what you have, but we can order online nowadays, and yes it is more expensive, but you know what, I pay for my Yidishkeit. And I am very proud with it.
    Thank You BCP for your amazing posts. For those saying that if I don’t like it I should just move on, well if BCP is allowed to post whatever they want, then so may I. And if you don’t like my post, move on.
    I feel however that if anyone will be inspired by my comments to pay the extra few dollars and buy Jewish Books written with so much heart, soul and Yiras Shamayim, it’s worth it.
    BCP, maybe you post links to Eichlers?

    Reply
    1. BG Avatar
      BG

      Thank you for the chizzuk, and the reminder of what my priorities are and where my values lie. Much appreciated and kol hakavod.
      That said, thank you BCP for this list and for so, so, much you’ve helped me in all areas of my life. You should all be gebenched!!

      Reply
  9. Sara rabi Avatar
    Sara rabi

    Thank you so much for this list of books! I’m always looking for new ones that are recommended . Just ordered some!

    Reply
  10. JH Avatar
    JH

    When I Check on You at Night
    get your silly/creative and your Jewish.

    Reply
  11. jh Avatar
    jh

    P.s. My rosh seminary came for a visit and TOLD my kids the story But No Elephants by heart about 10 times (by request after the first time). Later we searched and searched to be able to buy a copy. It has great values of hard work and achdus and that was what the Rabbi imparted to my kids, along with the fun of the repetitious and unusual storyline.

    Reply
  12. Rivka Avatar
    Rivka

    i don’t know why everyone cares
    if you won’t read non jewish books to your kids don’t but other women can and will

    Reply
  13. Shulamit Avatar
    Shulamit

    Can you please edit this post and summarize the storyline of each book and why your kids love it? Is it the rhymes? The message? The pictures? Etc

    Reply
  14. Reder Avatar
    Reder

    Incredible list

    Reply
  15. Thecraftymorah Avatar
    Thecraftymorah

    As a playgroup morah for 3 year olds, these are our favorites!
    -Caps for sale, but has to be animated, also i change the words That the peddler doesnt say please so monkeys dont understand to give the caps back. Once he understands to say please and thank you, they give them back!
    -Go dogs go is also great for toddlers learning colors and opposite.
    -Fish out of water is so good!
    -something from nothing by pheobe gilman. I change the words to make it more appropriate for my group (like joseph to yosef, grandpa fo zaidy…) but the repetitive nature of the book and the pictures which are absolutely adorable make it a big favorite
    -the little house by virgina lee burton. So cute and the pictures are cute!

    Reply
  16. Rachel Brandwine Avatar
    Rachel Brandwine

    wow really sad that these books are what we have come to. how bout some stories of tzaddikim?? we are living in unprecedented times of hatred of the goyim around us, yet we resort to their books/? lets be proud of our Judaism! Mashiach is on his way maybe we can tell that to our precious children

    Reply
  17. B.F. Avatar
    B.F.

    Check our bubbystories.com its a frum Bubby who records herself reading childrens books. I let my kids watch it as a treat every once in a while. Lots of jewish options there and you dont have to buy it 😉

    Reply
  18. Rochel R Avatar
    Rochel R

    The Imagination Library will mail a free book every month.
    PJ Library is not recommended because it is Jewish themed but secular. Sort of like a treif kosher-style deli

    Reply
  19. Dassy Avatar
    Dassy

    This is my favorite post of all time. My kids love books at bedtime, and it was validating to read that yes, it has to be interesting for the mama too (kids feel when I take pleasure in reading or have no patience). It’s nice to read stories that have a strong message like the Yael books but sometimes, my kids and I need something light, cute, and funny rather than “Yael becomes a giver”.
    I will echo everyone that a yiddish list that is also well-written and fun would be appreciated.

    Reply
  20. Rivka Avatar
    Rivka

    For Yiddish books, an all time favorite is the Chaya’la & Shimmy books (Middos Menchies) from Kinderblast! They’re adorable and the kids love them! You can get it on their website.

    Reply
  21. AG Avatar
    AG

    I can’t believe there are no Bill Peet books here

    Reply

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