Pyjamarama: perfect picture books for bedtime

This simple story will comfort little ones and its soothing text will lull them to sleep. Accompanied with incredibly stunning and intricate illustrations, this picture book would make a great addition to the bedtime routine.

Follow a father and child in an imaginative journey towards bedtime. Based on traditional Indian lullabies, this rhyming book is ideal for bedtime. A feast for the senses.

A lyrical picture book about always making time for adventures and the importance of friendship.

A little frog sits by the pond with his guitar one evening, singing by the light of the moon. As different voices gradually join in – a crocodile, some little mice and colourful fish – the song of the swamp takes shape. But somebody’s voice is missing – can they find the final piece? Everybody’s voice counts in this gentle, lulling rhyme that is perfect for bedtime reading.

This soothing picture book lullaby celebrates the beautifully tender moments that families share with their sleepy babies at bedtime.

Over the course of one day, we see many different kinds of families engage in the same similar routines: breakfasts, nappy changes, dinners, bedtime. A warm and comforting book with an ultimate message of love and togetherness, which is perfect for bedtime or quieter moments. 

Little ones will love following the story of Ted’s night-time routine – from splashing in the bath with penguins to having some milk with a tiger – in this colourful board book with flaps.

It’s sleepover time for little monsters – and the monster in this book is very excited to welcome readers to their special monster den under the bed. They are a little confused to realise that readers may prefer to sleep on top of the bed, however, AND that they don’t have special monster pyjamas. Most odd.

In this sweet instalment of the Lulu series, Lulu has a new adventure with her cousin Hani – her very first sleepover. 

Ideal to share with toddlers at bedtime as part of a positive sleep routine, this lovely little picture book uses simple language to explore why sleep is essential to help stay healthy and happy, and encourages interaction by asking gentle questions.

Can Bush Baby find the best way to show love? A delightfully funny book that avoids cliché and sickly sentiment – but will certainly end with a hug!

A perfect bedtime book, Arlo, The Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep is tenderly illustrated in watercolour as always by Rayner, giving readers gentle pages to fall into and inspire soft, reassuring dreams.

Journey through the day to bedtime in this lovely, simple book, which reminds little ones that their adults love to spend time with them, and that they are always safe and loved. With useful sleep guidance at the end, too.

A delightful story about a little boy and his amazing pet dragon. It’s a rare and perfect example of completely incidental inclusion when it comes to disability – and the themes of friendship and being yourself will appeal to every child.

Adults are always saying things like: ​‘There’s no time!’ and ​‘Five more minutes!’ But little fox thinks there’s always time to juggle, watch the birds and make new friends when you’re on the way to nursery! This adorable story about how differently little ones and adults experience time will be utterly relatable for anyone with a young family, and has a gorgeous ending which celebrates the best time of the day – storytime.

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 ladybird, so she and Mummy journey in their imaginations to amazing locations and magical meadows. This beautiful picture book has the feel of a classic – full of stars and dreams, and perfect for cosy bedtime moments.

A group of bored dinosaurs head off for a playdate with adventurous kittens, but will it all end in cat-astrophe? A deliciously funny story about friendship and compromise.

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 voices in our society and lending an ear to our quieter thoughts, this is a warm and reassuring story. 

This delightful picture book, which celebrates the pleasure of sharing books, reading aloud and the importance of libraries, is sure to inspire young children to embark on their own reading journey.

Ben Manley and Emma Chichester Clark’s absolutely delightful story about a much-loved toy will strike a chord of recognition in all children who may have a ​“Constance” doll of their own. Funny, charming and offbeat. 

A series of heart-warming modern poems perfect for sharing everyday feelings and experiences of babies and toddlers.

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 have together the next day. They could be dragons, or walk with giants in the woods, or fly to the moon and then swim with huge whales in the oceans. There are so many adventures that Dad and his little girl can have together – and, when she grows up, and Dad gets older, they can still have adventures together too.