Melissa from Lulu the Baker is taking over the blog today while I’m on a brief maternity break and dealing with a case of mastitis. In addition to tenderness, the infection causes flu-like symptoms — chills, body aches, fever, and fatigue — so I’ve been trying to sleep when the baby sleeps.
My favorite time of day is just before bedtime, when the kids have put on their jammies and brushed their teeth, and are snuggled against me, ready to hear stories. In the 8+ years since starting our family, we’ve amassed quite a collection of well-loved books. Our youngest is in the board book stage, and we sit in his rocking chair every day before naptime and bedtime reading books together.
Here are a few of our favorites:
I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt and Cyd Moore
Sweet and funny, this book makes my kids laugh, and makes me get all choked up!
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
Not all kids’ books are clever and well-written, but Bear Snores On is both!
Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton
We are big fans of Sandra Boynton in our family, and this book was our introduction to her writing, and makes all of the children giggle, which, in turn, makes me giggle!
Jamberry by Bruce Degen
Jamberry has been a family favorite since I was little!
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry
I picked this book up because of the lovely illustrations, but the rhyme is fun and clever too!
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter by Gerda Muller
No words, just beautiful, beautiful pictures.
I Took the Moon for a Walk by Carolyn Curtis and Alison Jay
The illustrations for this book are just beautiful, and the poetry is equally lyrical!
And missing from the photo, but only because it is so beloved that it was taken on a trip and misplaced…
Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan
The illustrations are adorable, and the writing is so lovely and sweet.
What are your favorite bedtime books to read aloud with your kids?
PJ, thank you so much for having me as a guest on your blog. I hope you’re already feeling better. If not, feel better soon!
Thanks, Melissa! I loved your book picks and can’t wait to add them to Levi and Asa’s library!
Karla
I don’t have kids, but one of my favorite books as a kid was The Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward. Ward was an amazing artist and is perhaps better known for his wordless novels. He illustrated other children’s books, but The Biggest Bear was both written and illustrated by Ward.
I’ll have to check out that book — I hadn’t heard of it before! Thanks for the recommendation.
Nicholle C.
What, no Good Night Moon?? 🙂
A classic!