Pyjamarama: perfect picture books for bedtime
There's nothing quite like a book at bedtime. It's the perfect end to the day, a chance to snuggle up and share the magic of stories together.
As part of Pyjamarama - our celebration of bedtime stories - we've put together a selection of picture books we think little ones will love hearing again and again before they go to sleep.
Find more recommended reads for all ages or search for books using our Bookfinder.
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What a Day: A mindful moment for bedtime
Author: Emma Ballantine & Mark Strepan Illustrator: Harriet Hobday
Interest level: 2-3
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What a Day: A mindful moment for bedtime
Author: Emma Ballantine & Mark Strepan Illustrator: Harriet Hobday
Interest level: 2-3
Reading age:
Journey through the day to bedtime in this lovely, simple book, which reminds little ones that their adults love to spend time wit…
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Time to Go to Bed
Author: Penny Tassoni Illustrator: Mel Four
Interest level: 2-3
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Time to Go to Bed
Author: Penny Tassoni Illustrator: Mel Four
Interest level: 2-3
Reading age:
Ideal to share with toddlers at bedtime as part of a positive sleep routine, this lovely little picture book uses simple language …
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It's Time to Hush and Say Good Night
Author: Chitra Soundar Illustrator: Sandhya Prabhat
Reading age: 2-5
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It's Time to Hush and Say Good Night
Author: Chitra Soundar Illustrator: Sandhya Prabhat
Interest level:
Reading age: 2-5
Follow a father and child in an imaginative journey towards bedtime. Based on traditional Indian lullabies, this rhyming book is i…
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Arlo, The Lion Who Couldn't Sleep
Author: Catherine Rayner
Interest level: 2-4
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Arlo, The Lion Who Couldn't Sleep
Author: Catherine Rayner
Interest level: 2-4
Reading age:
A perfect bedtime book, Arlo, The Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep is tenderly illustrated in watercolour as always by Rayner, gi…
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Bedtime with Ted
Author: Sophy Henn
Interest level: 1-3
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Bedtime with Ted
Author: Sophy Henn
Interest level: 1-3
Reading age:
Little ones will love following the story of Ted's night-time routine - from splashing in the bath with penguins to having some mi…
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The Horse That Jumped
Author: Thomas Docherty
Interest level: 0-5
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The Horse That Jumped
Author: Thomas Docherty
Interest level: 0-5
Reading age:
A lyrical picture book about always making time for adventures and the importance of friendship.
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Blow a Kiss, Catch a Kiss
Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Nicola Killen
Interest level: 4-5
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Blow a Kiss, Catch a Kiss
Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Nicola Killen
Interest level: 4-5
Reading age:
A series of heart-warming modern poems perfect for sharing everyday feelings and experiences of babies and toddlers.
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Dare We Be Dragons?
Author: Barry Falls
Interest level: 4-5
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Dare We Be Dragons?
Author: Barry Falls
Interest level: 4-5
Reading age:
A dad is putting his young daughter to bed, and as he tucks her in, they both start to imagine all of the adventures they could ha…
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I Really Really Love You So
Author: Karl Newson Illustrator: Duncan Beedie
Interest level: 2-3
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I Really Really Love You So
Author: Karl Newson Illustrator: Duncan Beedie
Interest level: 2-3
Reading age:
Can Bush Baby find the best way to show love? A delightfully funny book that avoids cliché and sickly sentiment – but will certain…
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Five More Minutes
Author: Marta Altes
Interest level: 3-5
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Five More Minutes
Author: Marta Altes
Interest level: 3-5
Reading age:
Adults are always saying things like: 'There’s no time!' and 'Five more minutes!' But little fox thinks there’s always t…
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Baby, Sleepy Baby
Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Angela Brooksbank
Interest level: 0-3
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Baby, Sleepy Baby
Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Angela Brooksbank
Interest level: 0-3
Reading age:
This soothing picture book lullaby celebrates the beautifully tender moments that families share with their sleepy babies at bedti…
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Constance in Peril
Author: Ben Manley Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
Interest level: 4-5
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Constance in Peril
Author: Ben Manley Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
Interest level: 4-5
Reading age:
Ben Manley and Emma Chichester Clark’s absolutely delightful story about a much-loved toy will strike a chord of recognition in al…
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Are You A Sleepy Monster?
Author: Guilherme Karsten
Interest level: 2-3
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Are You A Sleepy Monster?
Author: Guilherme Karsten
Interest level: 2-3
Reading age:
It’s sleepover time for little monsters – and the monster in this book is very excited to welcome readers to their special monster…
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Dinosaurs on Kitten Island
Author: Michael Slack
Interest level: 3-5
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Dinosaurs on Kitten Island
Author: Michael Slack
Interest level: 3-5
Reading age:
A group of bored dinosaurs head off for a playdate with adventurous kittens, but will it all end in cat-astrophe? A deliciously fu…
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Moose’s Book Bus
Author: Inga Moore
Interest level: 4-8
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Moose’s Book Bus
Author: Inga Moore
Interest level: 4-8
Reading age:
This delightful picture book, which celebrates the pleasure of sharing books, reading aloud and the importance of libraries, is su…
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Lulu's Sleepover
Author: Anna McQuinn Illustrator: Rosalind Beardshaw
Interest level: 2-5
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Lulu's Sleepover
Author: Anna McQuinn Illustrator: Rosalind Beardshaw
Interest level: 2-5
Reading age:
In this sweet instalment of the Lulu series, Lulu has a new adventure with her cousin Hani – her very first sleepover. …
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For All the Stars Across the Sky
Author: Karl Newson Illustrator: Chiaki Okada
Interest level: 3-5
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For All the Stars Across the Sky
Author: Karl Newson Illustrator: Chiaki Okada
Interest level: 3-5
Reading age:
Luna the little bear is yawning. It’s time for bed but Luna wishes she could fly like a bird, swim like a fish and be small like a…
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How To Be A Lion
Author: Ed Vere
Interest level: 3-7
Reading age: 5+
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How To Be A Lion
Author: Ed Vere
Interest level: 3-7
Reading age: 5+
Leonard is a gentle lion: just because you’re a lion doesn’t mean that you have to roar. A book about ignoring the aggressive…
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The Every Baby Book
Author: Frann Preston-Gannon
Interest level: 1-3
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The Every Baby Book
Author: Frann Preston-Gannon
Interest level: 1-3
Reading age:
Over the course of one day, we see many different kinds of families engage in the same similar routines: breakfasts, nappy changes…
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In the Swamp by the Light of the Moon
Author: Frann Preston-Gannon
Interest level: 0-5
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In the Swamp by the Light of the Moon
Author: Frann Preston-Gannon
Interest level: 0-5
Reading age:
A little frog sits by the pond with his guitar one evening, singing by the light of the moon. As different voices gradually join i…
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You're Safe With Me
Author: Chitra Soundar Illustrator: Poonam Mistry
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You're Safe With Me
Author: Chitra Soundar Illustrator: Poonam Mistry
Interest level:
Reading age:
This simple story will comfort little ones and its soothing text will lull them to sleep. Accompanied with incredibly stunning and…
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