Goodnight Baby: books for bedtime

Do you love your incorporating books into your bedtime routine with baby? We know we do. Here's a few recommendations from Doulas of Iowa City members Grace of Iowa City Birth Services and Johanna of Nested Mama to add something new in your bedtime reading routine.

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Dream Animals: A Bedtime Journey by Emily Winfield Martin

This whimsical, imaginative book focuses on the journey children will take through their dreams at night while they sleep. The magical illustrations paint dreamy pictures of animals, creatures, fairies, elves, mermaids, circuses, and more!    ~Grace

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The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

The quintessential bedtime story for littles, The Going To Bed Book by Sandra Boynton is a favorite of babies and toddlers alike. Like most of Sandra’s books, this one features a rhyming cast of illustrated animal characters, this time in an ark-like boat going through their night time routine and getting ready for bed.     ~Grace

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Sleep Tight, Sleepy Bears by Margaret Wise Brown

Well known for Goodnight, Moon, Margaret Wise Brown's short story of two sleepy bears, one big and one little, offers a calming story. Read it as written or take turn acting out the parts done by the big and little bears. My little ones especially enjoy exaggerated yawning and closing our eyes in step with the story.    ~Johanna

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Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton

​Sandra Boynton's books are favorites of both kids and grownups in our house and ​Pajama Time! is no exception to that rule. The funny description of PJs as well as the progressive chanting makes this a short and sweet read to put everyone in a good mood at bedtime. As you can tell, the board book helps this one last longer than other books, too. ~Johanna

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The Book of Sleep by il Sung Na

This short, simple book illustrates and describes the many ways that different animals sleep. The pictures are funky and unique, featuring different patterns and textures.
​~Grace

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 Goodnight Iowa by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper

Written in the style of Goodnight Moon, Goodnight Iowa features different landmarks and famous locations around Iowa, including the capitol building, Blank Park Zoo, Children’s Museum, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Ragbrai, Iowa State Fair and more.
​~Grace

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If Animals Kissed Goodnight by Ann Whitford Paul

​I love stories that can bring some playfulness and connection to an often tricky time of day. The sweet descriptions of animals offering a goodnight kiss is the perfect way to get some giggles out.
​~Johanna
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Bear Snores On by Jane Chapman

​Where most bedtime books end with the central character(s) finally finding some rest, ​Bear Snores On playfully reverses our expectations when Bear finally wakes, but his friends snore on!
​~Johanna

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Did we miss one of your favorites? Share in the comments below!

Grace is a trained birth and postpartum doula at Iowa City Birth Services, and provides unbiased, non-judgmental support to all birthing people. Grace is passionate about supporting and empowering families throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Grace is the mother of a spirited three-year-old son and is expecting her second child in September 2018. 

​​Johanna Tomlinson is a mother to three little ones and a doula, childbirth educator, and sleep educator with Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support. Read more of Johanna’s writing on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting here.