Bedtime Problems

Bedtime can be a stressful experience for all involved. Sharing stories about bedtime can put a child’s mind at ease and make any worries or fears easier to cope with. After all, who doesn’t like a snuggle and a story before they go to sleep?


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Emily Brown and the Thing – Cressida Cowell and Neal Layton

A humorous book with a very positive message about night time fears.
Age: 3+


Magnus and the Night Lion – Sanne Dufft

Magnus is a bold knight during the day but is afraid of the Shadowman at night. Grandma gives him a toy lion to help protect him from his dreams and together they conquer his fears.
Age 5+


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Dinosaur Sleepover – Pamela Duncan Edwards and Deborah Allwright

A young boy who is anxious about staying over at a friend’s house reassures his dinosaur and discovers how much fun a sleepover can be.
Age: 4+


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Five Minutes to Bed! – Richard Dungworth and Sharon Harmer

It’s bedtime but the pirate crew aren’t tired so the Captain gives them jobs to do.
Age: 3+


There’s a Walrus in my Bed – Ciara Flood

It’s Flynn’s first night in his big bed. However there is little sleep involved as a walrus has moved in making life very difficult for everyone!
Age 3+


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Stormy Weather – Debi Gliori

Various animal mothers reassure their babies that, whatever happens in the night, they are safe with them.
Age: 3+


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Goodnight Everyone – Chris Haughton

The sun is going down and everyone is sleepy.  Well, almost everyone.  A lovely gentle bedtime read that may make you feel sleepy, too.
Age: 2+


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Goodnight, Harry – Kim Lewis

Harry the elephant can’t get to sleep and gets very worried and upset. His friends Lulu and Ted come to his rescue and he finally finds sleep.
Age: 2+


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I Don’t Want to Go to Bed – Tony Ross

The little princess doesn’t want to go to bed, but the king and queen are firm and, after several attempts, they succeed. Fun with lots of child appeal.
Age: 4+


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There’s No Such Thing as Monsters! – Steve Smallman and Caroline Pedler

Reassuring look at Little Bear’s night worries, sleeping in his own bedroom. He is scared that monsters are lurking everywhere, but each has a practical explanation.
Age: 3+


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A Hairy, Scary Night – Alex T. Smith

A fresh and humorous approach to coping with fears and phobias which adults and children could enjoy sharing and discussing.
Age: 5+


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Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? – Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth

Little Bear is afraid of the dark in the back of the cave, so Big Bear brings him a tiny lantern – but to no avail. It is really the dark outside that Little Bear is afraid of. Big Bear takes him out and shows him the moon and Little Bear finally falls asleep.
Age: 3+


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Molly and the Night Monster – Chris Wormell

Reassuring story with beautiful illustrations. About a young girl who hears a noise on the stairs and imagines all sorts of horrible creatures until she discovers that the ‘monster’ is just her mum.
Age: 3+


Bedtime Worries and Struggles

Bedtime can be a stressful experience for all involved. Sharing stories about bedtime can put a child’s mind at ease and make any worries or fears easier to cope with. After all, who doesn’t like a snuggle and a story before they go to sleep?


9781444927887.jpg

Goodnight, Mr Panda
by Steve Antony

Mr Panda and his friends are getting ready for bed. But some won’t brush their teeth, others won’t have a bath, and one won’t even wear pyjamas! It’s down to Mr Panda to show them how to do bedtime properly.
Age: 3+


Emily Brown and the Thing
by Cressida Cowell and Neal Layton

A humorous book with a very positive message about night time fears.
Age: 3+


Image result for The Night Bear

The Night Bear
by Ana and Thiago de Moraes

After dark, the Night Bear goes on the hunt for his favourite snack: delicious nightmares. But one night, he almost munches on a dream of unicorns and rainbows by mistake – yuck! It might not be his up of tea, but surely there’s someone who might like it?
Age: 3+


Image result for Magnus and the night lion

Magnus and the Night Lion
by Sanne Dufft

Magnus is a bold knight during the day but is afraid of the Shadowman at night. Grandma gives him a toy lion to help protect him from his dreams and together they conquer his fears.
Age 5+


Dinosaur Sleepover 
by Pamela Duncan Edwards and Deborah Allwright

A young boy who is anxious about staying over at a friend’s house reassures his dinosaur and discovers how much fun a sleepover can be.
Age: 4+


Image result for Five minutes to bed!

Five Minutes to Bed!
by Richard Dungworth and Sharon Harmer

It’s bedtime but the pirate crew aren’t tired so the Captain gives them jobs to do.
Age: 3+


Image result for There's a walrus in my bed!

There’s a Walrus in my Bed
Ciara Flood

It’s Flynn’s first night in his big bed. However there is little sleep involved as a walrus has moved in making life very difficult for everyone!
Age 3+


Stormy Weather
by Debi Gliori

Various animal mothers reassure their babies that, whatever happens in the night, they are safe with them.
Age: 3+


Image result for Goodnight everyone

Goodnight Everyone
by Chris Haughton

The sun is going down and everyone is sleepy.  Well, almost everyone.  A lovely gentle bedtime read that may make you feel sleepy, too.
Age: 2+


Goodnight, Harry
by Kim Lewis

Harry the elephant can’t get to sleep and gets very worried and upset. His friends Lulu and Ted come to his rescue and he finally finds sleep.
Age: 2+


Image result for i don't want to go to bed tony ross

I Don’t Want to Go to Bed
by Tony Ross

The little princess doesn’t want to go to bed, but the king and queen are firm and, after several attempts, they succeed. Fun with lots of child appeal.
Age: 4+


There’s No Such Thing as Monsters!
by Steve Smallman and Caroline Pedler

Reassuring look at Little Bear’s night worries, sleeping in his own bedroom. He is scared that monsters are lurking everywhere, but each has a practical explanation.
Age: 3+


Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear?
by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth

Little Bear is afraid of the dark in the back of the cave, so Big Bear brings him a tiny lantern – but to no avail. It is really the dark outside that Little Bear is afraid of. Big Bear takes him out and shows him the moon and Little Bear finally falls asleep.
Age: 3+


Image result for Molly and the night monster

Molly and the Night Monster
by Chris Wormell

Reassuring story with beautiful illustrations. About a young girl who hears a noise on the stairs and imagines all sorts of horrible creatures until she discovers that the ‘monster’ is just her mum.
Age: 3+


Useful Organisations

NHS:
Helpful advice and information about sleep and bedtime.

Supernanny:
Advice, tips and information about bed time routines, and the transition to ‘big kid beds’.

Bath Book Bed

BookTrust logo for Bath Book Bed

BookTrust logo for Bath Book BedYou may remember that BookTrust ran a successful on-line campaign last year to help promote a good bedtime routine for children. Bath Book Bed was relaunched on 24th April and is proving very popular.  Part of the campaign is a new 16-page booklet available in hard copy or, if you prefer, to download.  The booklet features the celebrity parenting expert Jo Fros, and Peppa Pig’s long-suffering father, Daddy Pig.  Visit http://www.booktrust.org.uk/bathbookbed to find out more. Share your tips and ideas too using @BookTrust and #BathBookBed

Every Hampshire library and Children’s Centre has received a quantity of the printed booklets, so please drop in and ask for a copy next time you are passing.  While you are visiting the library, why not ask about children’s activities such as Rhymetimes and Storytimes.  Even better, have a look at the hundreds of board books and picture books we have available.  If you’re not certain which books will be best for your child, have a chat with a member of staff.  They’ll be happy to help you choose.

If you are looking especially for picture books dealing with bedtime problems, we have some suggestions in the When A Book Might Help section of our blog.

Good night – sleep tight.