Good Books for Young Children

Below are listed some good bedtime books for young children. Verses and prayers could be recited by both child and parent(s) as part of the bedtime ritual.

Kennedy, X.J. and Dorothy, Talking Like the Rain: A Read-to-Me Book

Of Poems, Little, Brown and Company, N.Y., 1992.

(This lovely book is filled with poems that cover topics from play and families, to magic and wonder. Young children love the rhythmic cadence of rhymes and will ask you to “...say it again” and again! This is a good book for ages 2 through 12).

McBratney, Sam, Guess How Much I Love You, Candlewick Press,

Cambridge, M.A., 1995.

(This is the story of a father rabbit putting his son to bed and exchanging their love for one another. It is so rare to find story books with fathers in nurturing roles, so this book is a real gem! Good for ages 2 through 10).

Park Bridges, Margaret, Will You Take Care of Me? Morrow Junior

Books, New York, N.Y., 1998.

Wise Brown, Margaret, The Runaway Bunny, Harper Collins Publishers,

New York, N.Y., 1970.

(Both of these books tell the story of mothers caring for their children and reassuring them that they will always be loved no matter what. These are nice for families that have a single mom as head of household. Good for ages 2 through 11).

Wyatt, Isabel, The Book of Fairy Princes, Cromwell Press, U.K., 1994.

(A book of short stories. Some of the stories are meant to be read over several days, at bedtime or rest time. This is a good book to read to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd graders. Imaginative 4^th and 5^th graders will also enjoy it).

Wyatt, Isabel, King Beetle~ Tamer and Other Light-Hearted Wonder

Tales, Page Brothers Ltd., Norwich, U.K. 1997.

(Another book of short stories. Again, stories can be read in one sitting or over several nights. Same age group as with Ms. Wyatt’s other book).