It’s that time right before bed and as most parents do, you’re going to read your child a bed time story. Everyone is settled and comfortable and in your best storytelling voice you begin reading, “Once upon a time….” when your child interrupts with a comment, a question, an observation or something out of the blue. Of course, you comment on his/her comment and continue “there were three….” when there’s another comment, question or observation. Eventually a long, long time later you actually manage to get through the book, or you’ve fallen asleep! If this scenario sounds familiar then you must read Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein. Here’s a little clip to give you a taste of this funny book that parents and children will enjoy. Check it out, but I don't guarantee your child won't interrupt!

In this funny story about bedtime routines, Cornelius' mother asks him, "Did you put away your toys?" He answers yes. The amusing picture shows that he did put away his toys (in the refrigerator.) Cornelius P. Mud Are You Ready For Bed? by Barney Saltzberg demonstrates that a feisty little piggy still needs a hug from his mother before he can really be ready for bed. You can also follow Cornelius' further adventures at school.

One night the Good Knight is keeping watch from the castle’s “crumbly tumbly tower” when all of a sudden he hears a very loud roar.  The Good Knight hops on his horse and “clippety- clop, clippety clop” away he gallops to investigate.   He soon discovers the roar is coming from a dark cave.  Inside are three little dragons who cannot sleep.  The chivalrous knight offers to help even though his patience is tried by many requests from the demanding little dragons.  A sweet solution is finally reached and everyone finally says, “Good Night”. Beginning readers will enjoy the humor, repetition, brief sentences and the word play on “Knight” and “Night”.  And of course everyone loves to read about dragons !   Also check out the equally charming sequels by Shelley Moore Thomas:  Happy Birthday, Good Knight and Get Well, Good Knight.

In A Book of Sleep, written and illustrated by Il Sung Na, a watchful owl observes many animals sleeping, and notices that different species of animals have different ways of sleeping. This sweet, simple story is beautifully illustrated in mixed media.  This would be a nice bedtime story for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and kindergarteners. This book is also available in Spanish.    

A variety of friendly wild animals play a game of hide and seek. Elephant closes his eyes, counts to ten, then looks for all the animals. Will he find his friends?   Read Hide and Seek and find out!  

In Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: a Book of Changing Seasons, an observant rabbit watches other animals migrate, hibernate, or gather food during the winter.   This is a nice story for children interested in seasons.    This books is also available in ebook format through Axis 360.