A good bedtime story is something I believe is important to people of all ages. Little ones love being read to as they snuggle up at night, and even adults often find comfort in heading to bed with a good book. My bedtime ritual almost always involves a chapter or two in whatever book I'm reading and a cup of tea to help me wind down. To encourage the tradition of reading with your loved ones at the end of each day, I've put together a relaxing sleep-themed storytime to share.
Books
Chengdu Could Not, Would Not, Fall Asleep by Barney Saltzberg
Rise the Moon by Eileen Spinelli
Dream Animals: A Bedtime Journey by Emily Winfield Martin
Bedtime for Chickies by Janee Trasler
Lead-In
When I did this storytime at the library, we started by listening to themed music (see links at the end of this post for suggestions) and playing with puppets until it was time to "put the puppets to bed." Once everyone arrived, we sang our good morning songs and talked a little bit each book before reading it. There are so many wonderful bedtime books available, but these are some of my absolute favorites. Dream Animals and Rise the Moon have gorgeous, whimsical illustrations on each page. You're sure to be charmed by the cute, restless character of Chengdu. Bedtime for Chickies will induce a giggle with the rhyming text, the cheeping of the chicks, and the anticipation for that magical moment when the little ones are finally asleep.
Songs & Rhymes
★Big Yellow Moon (source)
Big yellow moon shines so bright, (Arms above head in circle shape.)
Glides across the starry night, (Arms move from left to right.)
Looks down at me (Hand shades eyes, looking down.)
Asleep in bed, (Hands together at side of face.)
Whispers, "Good night, sleepyhead." (Forefinger in front of mouth, whispering.)
Big yellow moon, your turn is done. (Arms above head move down in front of body.)
Here comes Mr. Morning Sun. (Arms move above head in circle shape.)
I wake up. (Arms stretch out.) Moon goes to bed. (Hands together at side of face.)
"Sleep well, Moon, you sleepyhead." (Forefinger in front of mouth, whispering.)
★Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle, twinkle, little star (hands open and shut in a "blinking" motion)
How I wonder what you are (hands open at sides in a questioning motion)
Up above the world so high (point to sky)
Like I diamond in the sky (point to sky)
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are
Felt Board Activity
We did an interactive game called Bedtime for Piglets on the felt board, and the kids were very engaged in helping me find all the piglets while getting in some basic counting practice. You will need one large pig, 5 piglets, and a bed. Place the large pig near the bed in the middle of the felt board, then hide the piglets around the area. I told the kids that the mama pig was looking for her piglets to put them to bed, and she needed our help. I made up a little rhyme to make the story more fun.
★Bedtime for Piglets
"It's bedtime for piglets!" the mama pig said. (Cup hands to mouth and call out.)
"Let's clean you up (pretend to wash face)
and put you to bed" (fold hands along face and pretend to sleep).
and put you to bed" (fold hands along face and pretend to sleep).
The piglets are hiding (hide face behind hand)
and playing around (lower hand and peek up).
and playing around (lower hand and peek up).
Let's make sure all of the piglets are found.
"Heeeeere piggy, piggy, piggy!" (Cup hands to mouth and call out.)
One by one, act surprised (sharp intake of breath, "I see one!") as you find each hidden piglet with the help of the kids and place them near the bed. Once all the piglets are found, count them up and tell them good night.
Closure
We finished this storytime by singing the goodbye song with bubbles, then each child received a blue star stamp and a coloring sheet while the adults were encouraged to browse a selection of bedtime books available for checkout.
Additional Resources
Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres
Sleepytime Me by Edith Hope Fine
Bedtime Kiss for Little Fish by Lorie Ann Grover
Sleepytime Me by Edith Hope Fine
Bedtime Kiss for Little Fish by Lorie Ann Grover
Everyone Sleeps by Marcellus Hall
Someone's Sleepy by Deborah Lee Rose
The Sleepy Little Alphabet by Judy Sierra
Sheep Asleep by Gloria Rothstein
Are You Sleeping, Little One? by Hans-Christian Schmidt
A list of lullabies with lyrics and videos
Music- A few of my favorites are Bedtime with the Bealtes, All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers, Mr. Sandman by The Chordettes, and Little Star by The Elegants
Cute Hello Kitty bedtime coloring page
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