The Best Bedtime Stories for Kids to Read

For many children, the routine of bathing, putting books, and going to bed is a routine they are very familiar with - even when they protest that they are not ready for bed.

The heart of this routine - storytime - is an important one because it gives kids time to settle into their beds and be soothed by the words of their favorite books. These stories, often filled with messages of kindness, love, and inspiration, evoke comforting thoughts that children should be put to sleep.

Of course, bedtime reading also allows families to spend quality time together as the day draws to a close, away from the hustle and bustle of bygone hours.

As with any routine, bedtime reading can be a bit repetitive. If you find yourself reaching for the same stories over and over again and your child is a little lost in interest, we're here to help. Here, we recommend the best bedtime stories for kids, with a mix of genres and difficulty levels.

No child is too young for a bedtime story. Many experts encourage parents to start reading to their children when they are infants and continue throughout their childhood. Bedtime reading can be beneficial for 11-year-olds and younger. No matter how old your child is, age-appropriate reading material is important. Readings for toddlers and preschoolers should use fairly simple vocabulary and also include pictures or illustrations. As your child enters elementary school and begins to learn to read, chapter books can be more effective.

Here are some more tips for parents who plan to read bedtime stories to their kids:

• Read slowly. This is especially important for younger listeners and children who have not yet learned to read. If the story has words your child doesn't know, take a minute during the first reading and explain the definitions.

• Get your child involved in the reading process. Swap out your child's character names and let them be part of the story. Draw similarities between your child's life and the world of stories to convey important family messages.

• Be dramatic. Emphasize emotional moments by reading them with the right tone and using distinct voices for different characters. This will enhance your child's personal involvement in the story and enhance their imagination.

• Clearly define the roles of the characters. To help your child develop a sense of right and wrong, you should make sure they understand the difference(s) between the protagonist and the villain in each story.

• Read each story more than once. Your child probably won't understand everything about a story on the first bedtime story, so read it over and over again - if possible, on consecutive nights.

• Don't read the same story too often. Your child will most likely enjoy certain stories for others, but avoid reading the same episode night after night for long periods of time. After a few readings, their imaginative connection to the story will begin to diminish. If your child insists on hearing an old favorite story for the twentieth time, suggest reading a new story that night and then moving on to a favorite the next night.

• Don't be afraid to improvise. Instead of reading from a book, you can create a story to get kids more involved - and even dictate the story a bit. Parenting.com puts together an effective list of 'story starters' for those who enjoy a bedtime ad.