It’s our special time together when the kids finally sit still and we can snuggle under our organic sheets together. But life is busy and after a long day at work, or looking after the children it’s often more effort than we would like it to be. I have to remind myself , that aside from the developmental benefits of reading to kids, this time is short lived and one day there won't be storytime anymore.
A survey by Neilsen Book Research last year revealed that only 51% of pre-schoolers are read to every day, which is one fifth less than 5 years ago. At Lily and Mortimer, we promote a world where every child can sleep soundly. Let’s start by reading more to our children, even if it is just for 10 minutes each day. Here are our top 5 toddler bedtime stories that have seen my family through 1,056 bedtimes, have chewed corners, ripped pages and grubby finger prints. They are short and sweet for busy parents yet stimulating enough for your busy toddler.
#1: My First London Bus by Marion Billet
Living in Asia this book gives us a reminder of home. It’s simplicity puts a toddlers imagination into overdrive and means every time we read it we have a different story. Colourful, fun and short.
#2: Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You hear? By Bill Martin Jr/ Eric Carle
My toddler loves the repetitiveness and rhyming of this book from the same author as The Very Hungry Caterpillar. You can have fun with the animal sounds and our little one always amazes me with his memory of which animal comes next.
#3: The Bedtime Bear by Ian Whybrow/ Axel Schefflar
A lift the flap book filled with colour and the unexpected. The story takes bear on his way to bed…a great lead into your kiss goodnight and lights off.
#4: Time For Bed by Mem Fox
A beautiful, calming book that is a perfect way to wind down to sleep time. The book tells every animal ‘it’s time for bed’, repetitively reinforcing the point that it really is time for bed! #5 Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees “Then he raised his head and looked up, at the moon and stars above, “we all can dance” he said, when we find the music that we love”. The longest book on this list but a must read with a poignant message and beautifully illustrated. At Lily & Mortimer our mission is to promote a world where everyone can sleep soundly. 10% of every purchase of our organic cotton and fairtrade bedding goes back into the communities that support Lily & Mortimer. Sleep Well, Live Well Emily at Lily & Mortimer
#5 Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees
“Then he raised his head and looked up, at the moon and stars above, “we all can dance” he said, when we find the music that we love”. The longest book on this list but a must read with a poignant message and beautifully illustrated.
At Lily & Mortimer our mission is to promote a world where everyone can sleep soundly. 10% of every purchase of our organic cotton and fairtrade bedding goes back into the communities to support programmes that help more children sleep soundly.
Sleep Well, Live Well
Emily at Lily & Mortimer