Reading a story or two to your kids before bedtime is the perfect end to a day. It is a special treat for them and maybe even more for you. It’s a great way to spend time together, and it’s a surefire trick to get the kiddies to drift off into peaceful slumber without too much effort. We found ourselves a children’s librarian to help sort the good from the bad, the sad from the happy, and the scary from the funny.

How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague.

If your child is anything like mine, you’ll have a hard time saying “no” to another installment in the popular and entertaining How Do Dinosaurs series. Naturally, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? is perfect reading for bedtime. In it, a number of dinosaurs large and small model good bedtime behavior. Does a dinosaur throw his teddy bear? Does he roar, “ONE BOOK MORE!!”? No, he climbs into bed and whispers, “Good night.” I just wish these beasties brushed their teeth; that is one behavior my boy needs some modeling for. Written in simple rhymes and accompanied with colorful illustrations, complete with the names of all dino characters, this is a sure hit for boys, girls, and parents alike. Ages 2-6.

The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton.

Anyone who has cats or children is likely familiar with the fun, cartoonish illustrations of Sandra Boynton. Her stories, which always feature cats, hippos, lions and many other animals dancing and singing together, can be seen in books and on mugs everywhere. The Going to Bed Book is great to read just before bedtime. It features a bunch of animals who, strangely, live together on a boat at sea. In a sing-songy rhyme, the story leads us through their bedtime routine, from exercising (but honestly, who jumps rope right before bed?) to tooth brushing. The pictures are quite funny and kids will relate to the bath-taking, pajama-finding bedtime ritual. Ages 2-6.

Tags: bed, bedtime stories, book reviews, Books, Children, family