The Best Bedtime Stories for
6- to 8-Year-Olds
by Devon A. Corneal
So the time has come: Your child has moved past Goodnight Moon. You’re both ready for something new, but what do you do when you can’t rely on a brush, some mush, and an old lady whispering “Hush” to get to sleep? Not just any book will calm a child at the end of the night. Bedtime stories have to strike a delicate balance. They should be lively but not too rowdy, intriguing but not too scary, calming but not dull, kid-friendly but not infantile. It doesn’t hurt if they have tough covers that can stand up to a drop from mattress height onto the floor.
Now that your child has started reading on their own, books that encourage them to read aloud to you are an extra bonus. It can be tough to find the best bedtime story, but we’ve found a few that will give every growing reader sweet dreams.
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Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon
Available from:Francine Poulet comes from a long line of animal-control officers — men and women who stand fearless in the face of dangerous animals. Francine is proving herself just as brave, until she meets the ghost raccoon. Can Francine continue in the family business, or will she have to turn in her badge? Clever and entertaining, Kate DiCamillo’s latest is not to be missed.
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Fairy Tales
Available from:When it’s your turn to read, lull them to sleep with some of the great classics: “The Princess and the Pea,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Little Match Girl.” Some might even be new to you! (Can’t say I remember “The Goblin at the Grocer’s” from my childhood.) Either way, your growing reader will love these timeless tales.
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I Want a Dog
Available from:Funny and sweet (Jon Agee’s specialty), I Want a Dog finds a young girl at the county animal shelter, which appears to have just about every creature available for adoption except for a puppy. Debate the merits of a pet aardvark while you read toward the happy ending.
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The Day You Begin
Available from:The Day You Begin is a heartening book perfect for closing the day and looking ahead to tomorrow. Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text reminds readers that our greatest strengths are our differences, and Rafael López’s dreamy illustrations create an ideal bridge into sweet, imaginative dreams.
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Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor
Available from:A truly fascinating picture book biography, this life story of Joan Procter — a pioneering female scientist who grew up preferring her pet lizards to dolls — is one your reader will request again and again. Vibrant illustrations pair with Procter’s charming, inspiring story to make for a wonderful bedtime read.
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My Journey to the Stars
Available from:For those who’d like to squeeze one more adventure into their day, let them blast into space alongside NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, the record-holder for the longest spaceflight by an American. Kelly’s biography goes back to his childhood, revealing the relatable hijinks of a young boy who hadn’t yet stumbled upon the path that would lead him to the stars.
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Polar Bears Past Bedtime
Available from:The twelfth in the Magic Treehouse series, Polar Bears Past Bedtime finds Jack and Annie in the Arctic, trying not to freeze while solving yet another riddle. Snuggle up under the covers and see if Annie and Jack become popsicles or master librarians.
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Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book
Available from:Everyone knows yawns are contagious, but only Dr. Seuss can turn a single yawn into a rhyming extravaganza that will lull even the most resistant child to sleep.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2020.