Quick Cuddle-Time Reads
by Iva-Marie Palmer
Short and sweet. As parents, I think we undervalue that combo.
If we can’t give our kids a good chunk of quality time — the half-hour required to build a complete LEGO city, or the hour we need to devote to a craft — we might skip the together time altogether. After all, we need to get dinner done, fold the laundry, answer that email …
But five minutes can be a glorious amount of time when you’re rightly equipped. These quick and easy reads are just right for a quick cuddle.
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Stuck
Buy from:A young boy named Floyd gets his kite stuck in a tree and throws his shoe at it to get it unstuck. However, the shoe gets stuck in the tree, too. So, Floyd tries throwing other items like a ladder, a kitchen sink, a firetruck, the mailman, and a whale into the tree. This delightful and silly twist on a common childhood occurrence is a must-read.
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How to Draw a Brave Chicken
Buy from:Kids who love interactive stories and humor will enjoy this silly “how to draw” lesson. What starts as a simple step-by-step tutorial becomes a full-scale adventure with a chicken bravely becoming a knight and chasing a dragon. This quick read will have kids grinning from ear to ear!
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I Am a Bunny
Buy from:Parenting is so often about planning for the future, we forget the charm of a little backwards-looking nostalgia. This Golden Book offers retro delights with its sweet, simple tale of a red-overalled bunny who observes the changing of the seasons.
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Uni the Unicorn
Buy from:Even though her family and friends tell her otherwise, Uni the unicorn knows that little girls are real. At the same time, a little girl dreams of making friends with a unicorn. When the two finally meet, they instantly become best friends. Any reader who loves unicorns, magic, and friendship will adore this heartwarming story.
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Porcupine and Cactus
Buy from:When bubbly and outgoing Porcupine meets a quiet cactus, he is thrilled to make a new friend. However, their personality differences threaten to come between this unlikely pair. Readers of all ages will love this hilarious spin on friendship, misunderstandings, and communication.
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Sam and Dave Dig a Hole
Buy from:Sam and Dave head outside, looking for adventure in their backyard. They start digging a hole, convinced they will find a priceless treasure. Young readers will giggle as the boys dig and dig and come oh-so-close to finding something incredible, only to miss it. Spare text, visual humor, and captivating illustrations make this the perfect snuggle-time read.
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When You Love a Book
Buy from:Reading books about books is the perfect way to spend storytime! Gentle, rhyming text and colorful illustrations celebrate the unique magic readers experience when reading a book. A diverse cast of children and adults read together and independently at home, school, and the park. Little book lovers will want to add this title to their cuddle-time reading stack.
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Llama Llama Red Pajama
Buy from:This beloved classic is an excellent book to snuggle up with when you only have a few minutes to read with your child. Rhyming text and a relatable story make this book a favorite for young children and parents alike.
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Just Me and My Dad (Little Critter)
Buy from:You can’t go wrong with this classic from Mercer Mayer when you want a quick cuddle-time read. Little Critter and his dad head into the wilderness to go camping and endure one hilarious disaster after the next. From wildlife encounters to scary storytelling, their outdoor adventure is unforgettable.
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You might also like:
- Your Baby’s First Year: What to Read to Them at Every Stage
- Tougher Than Your Toddler: Robust Lift-the-Flap Books
- How to Read Aloud to a Child That Won’t Sit Still
- Must-Have Board Books for Baby’s First Library
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2025.