10 Great bedtime stories for kids

According to Parent.com, not only do bedtime stories serve as a means of fostering a stronger parent-child bond, but it also boosts your child’s brain development! While you think that your child is simply being whisked away to another world full of giants and mystical creatures, reading to him improves his logic skills, lowers his stress levels and quickens their mastery of language. So whip out one of the following books and let your child’s brain develop while having fun!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

When your child is having a bad day, this book will definitely cheer him up! Alexander wakes up with gum in his hair and from there one unpleasant event after another unfolds. The main thing a child can take away from this is that a bad day usually starts and can easily be fixed by one’s attitude.

Available at: National Bookstore

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Harold is a curious four-year-old boy who has the power to create his own world simply by drawing it. With his trusty purple crayon, Harold can draw moon and go for a walk in the moonlight. When he has nowhere to walk, he draws a path. Harold has several adventures which all ultimately lead to his drawing his own house, bed and him going to sleep.

Available at: Fully Booked

Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg

Sound familiar to you? Of course it does! It’s the story that Robin Williams brought to life on the big screen.

While playing at the park, Judy and Peter Shepherd discover a jungle adventure game called "Jumanji” that bears the warning, "Do not begin unless you intend to finish." They start playing, only to discover that the game is alive: any dangers encountered in the game spring to life somewhere in the house. The only way for the madness to stop is for the children to continue playing ‘til the end. Jumanji is a thrilling and exciting book that should be a part of every child’s library.

Available at: National Bookstore

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young

Lon Po Po is often referred to as the Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood. The mixture of abstract and realistic images, as well as the three-picture sequences that often bears resemblance to Chinese decorations, make this a 1990 Caldecott Medal winner.

Available at: Fully Booked

No, David! by David Shanon

David is constantly getting into trouble! He reaches for a cookie from the cookie jar, runs naked down the street, draws colours on the walls, tracks mud on the carpet and a whole lot more. But after that’s said and done, and even with his mom constantly saying, "No, David!” David is reminded that he is loved despite his mischievous behavior.

Available at: Amazon.com

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Written by award-winning writer Van Allsburg, The Polar Express tells the story of a young boy who believes in Santa Claus and who is given the ride of a lifetime! He gets to ride on the Polar Express, a train which brings children to the North Pole to see Santa Claus.

It is a book that you and your child can read during the Holiday Season and even throughout the year. This will make anyone continue to believe in the spirit of Christmas.

Available at: National Bookstore

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

The short, simple and repetitive story line, the colourful illustrations, and the embossed spider’s web make this children’s book a classic. The story centers on a spider who is blown away to a farmyard fence and starts to create a web. Several farm animals try to dissuade her from finishing her web by asking her to play with them, but she perseveres and gets a delicious treat when done.

Available at: Fully Booked

Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel

Focusing on the main character named Tikki tikki tembo-no- sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo, the story tells of how Tikki Tikki Tembo falls into a well and is saved by an Old Man.

Available at: Amazon.com

When I Miss You (The Way I Feel Books) by Cornelia Maude Spelman

Does your child suffer from separation anxiety? Let him read this book! "When I Miss You” features a guinea pig who talks about his feelings of being separated from his parents because they have to work or they have to travel to another place. He also rationalizes that his parents need to be away but that they will soon be back for him.

Available at: Amazon.com

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema, illustrated by Leo Dillon & Diane Dillon

Originating from Africa, this story tells of a mosquito who’s lie spreads among everyone in the jungle and that affects everyone so deeply that even the sun refuses to shine.

In the absence of sunlight, the jungle animals come together to discuss the problem which ultimately leads them to the root of it all, the mosquito. Through this book, your child may learn to be responsible with his words and that the things they do or say do indeed have consequences attached to them.

Available at: Amazon.com

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Written by

Raisa Tan

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