Stories for Bedtime
Bedtimes can be tricky for children whatever their age. Motivating them to settle down and get ready to sleep at bedtime can be hard. The Sleep Charity states that a bedtime routine is important in getting a good night’s sleep, as it helps to support children’s body clocks and aid relaxation. Consistency is key, sometimes sleep patterns may get worse before they get better. It is not uncommon to think that a new routine isn’t working but it’s important to stick to it for at least two weeks in order to see results.
The routine and tranquillity of listening to a bedtime story encourages even the most excitable young children into a restful slumber. As a working Mum, I know it can be tough and sometimes dare I say irritating to read a story to a child who wants nothing more than to bounce around their bed but preserve as it will pay dividends.
My children developed their love of reading I am sure through listening to bedtime stories. Favourites used to be called for and as they got older they took over the reading often through oral recall or through reading their books to me or their teddies. Bedtime storytelling offers a wealth of benefits to growing and curious minds, it helps build imaginations and it gives opportunity to gently introduce lessons around many varied subjects, like friendships, values, etc.
Bedtime stories are suitable for children from an early age through their entire primary school.
Our top picks have been chosen by Marlow Bookshop, our local book seller.
For Our Younger Readers – Toddlers Upwards
Peace at Last – Jill Murphy
The bestselling book about Mr Bear is a classic for both children and parents. The relatable story explores the busy bear house where Mr Bear, Mrs Bear and an energetic Baby Bear struggle to find peace, questioning if they will ever have a good night’s sleep? With beautiful illustrations, repetition and rhythm, the book is a firm favourite for many families. Delving into the Bear’s night-time routine may juts help your little ones drift off themselves!
Can’t You Sleep Little Bear? – Martin Waddell
‘The most perfect children’s book ever written’, tells a tale about Little Bear who just can’t fall asleep, much like some of your little ones. Not even Big Bear’s lantern can light up the cave, settle Little Bear and help him fall asleep faster
Five Bears – Catherine Rayner
The tale of friendship between bears starts when a bear is wandering through the forest and bumps into a fellow bear. As they stroll along, they appear the same but have very different thoughts. They later bump into more bears along the walk where they conclude, that like us, they are all different but can still be friends. This tale teaches an important lesson of friendships and acceptance.
Margaret’s Unicorn – Briony May Smith
Margaret moved to a little cottage by the seaside and one evening on the beach appeared a baby unicorn. Margaret and the unicorn build an unbreakable bond throughout the autumn and winter. Once spring returns, Margaret returns to the beach where the unicorn reunites with its family. This book proves to be a favourite amongst the little ones as it demonstrates hope and friendship while engaging them through the mystic creature.
For Our Primary School Readers – Year 2 +
Journey to the River Sea – Eva Ibbitson
An enchanting adventure story about an orphaned girl, Maia, who travels from England to the Amazon in Brazil to begin a new life with the Carters – relatives she has never met before.
Maia’s romantic vision of her new life is soon shattered, though, when it becomes apparent that Mr and Mrs Carter and their twin daughters, Gendolyn and Beatrice, have nothing but contempt for Maia (and, indeed, for their Amazon habitat; preferring instead to import their foodstuffs and rarely venturing from the confines of their house.)
But the wonders of the rainforest more than make up for the hideous twins and their parents. And when Maia meets a mysterious boy who lives alone on the wild river shores, she begins a spectacular journey to the heart of an extraordinary and beautiful new world.
The Beetle Boy Stories – MG Leonard
The Beetle Boy Stories are a fantastic trilogy of books that will certainly appeal to fans of Roald Dahl.
Beetle Boy: Darkus can’t believe his eyes when a huge insect drops out of the trouser leg of his horrible new neighbour. It’s a giant beetle – and it seems to want to communicate. But how can a boy be friends with a beetle? And what does a beetle have to do with the disappearance of his dad and the arrival of Lucretia Cutter, with her taste for creepy jewellery?
Beetle Queen: Cruel beetle fashionista, Lucretia Cutter, is at large with her yellow ladybird spies. When Darkus, Virginia and Bertolt discover further evidence of her evil, they’re determined to stop her. But the three friends are in trouble. Darkus’ dad has forbidden them to investigate any further – and disgusting crooks Humphrey and Pickering are out of prison. Hope rests on Novak, Lucretia’s daughter and a Hollywood actress, but the beetle diva is always one scuttle ahead …
Battle of the Beetles: From a secret Biome in the jungle, Lucretia Cutter plans to wreak wickedness on the world unless Darkus, Virginia and Bertolt can find a way to stop her. If they fail, she’ll mass an army of giant Frankenstein beetles – and the planet will never be the same again.Humanity is under siege. The future depends on three children and their beetles . . .engrossing and very easy for a young reader to follow, containing nice amounts of tension and being creepy and gross in places but never in a way that felt inappropriate for the target audience.
The Last Bear – Hannah Gold
“This is an important first novel, important for us, for polar bears, for the planet. It is deeply moving, beautifully told, quite unforgettable.” Michael Morpurgo
There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to this remote Arctic outpost for six months. But one endless summer night, April meets one. He is starving, lonely and a long way from home. Determined to save him, April begins the most important journey of her life…
This moving story will win the hearts of children the world over and show them that no one is too young or insignificant to make a difference. The Last Bear is a celebration of the love between a child and an animal, a battle cry for our world and an irresistible adventure with a heart as big as a bear’s.
‘A dazzling debut . . . A magical, confidently told story – with beautiful illustrations by Levi Pinfold . . . I predict a roaring success’ The Times
Secret of Nightingale Wood – Lucy Strange
1919. Mama is ill. Father has taken a job abroad. Nanny Jane is too busy to pay any attention to Henrietta and the things she sees – or thinks she sees – in the shadows of their new home, Hope House.
All alone, with only stories for company, Henry discovers that Hope House is full of strange secrets: a forgotten attic, ghostly figures, mysterious firelight that flickers in the trees beyond the garden.
One night she ventures into the darkness of Nightingale Wood. What she finds there will change her whole world …
A beautifully told debut with a classic feel, incorporating themes of family, loss and childhood loneliness. Ideal for fans of Emma Carroll and Hilary McKay. A perfect gift for readers aged 9 and up.
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