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7 Good Books to Say Goodnight

7 Good Books to Say Goodnight January 11, 2018Kids + Teens0 Comments Lara Starr

These beautiful books capture the magic of imagining what happens at nighttime while little ones are tucked in bed.

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

By Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight in this New York Times Bestseller and modern classic. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they’ll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play.

Sleep Tight Farm

By Eugenie Doyle, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

A captivating exploration of how a family gets a farm ready for the snow of winter, Sleep Tight Farm lyrically connects each growing season to the preparations at the very end of the farm year. This beautiful and informative book paints a fascinating picture of what winter means to the farm year and to the family that shares its seasons, from spring’s new growth, summer’s heat, and fall’s bounty to winter’s well-earned rest. All year long the farm has worked to shelter us, feed us, keep us warm, and now it’s time to sleep.

Flashlight

By Lizi Boyd

Inside a tent it’s cozy. But what is going on outside? Is it dark? Is it scary? Not if you have your trusty flashlight! Told solely through images and using a spare yet dramatic palette, artist Lizi Boyd has crafted a masterful exploration of night, nature, and art. Both lyrical and humorous, this visual poem—like the flashlight beam itself—reveals that there is magic in the darkness. We just have to look for it.

The Night I Followed the Dog

By Nina Laden

“I have a dog. Nothing exotic or special, just an ordinary dog.” Or so this little boy thinks, until one morning when he opens the door a little early and sees his dog jump out of a limousine. That night, he decides to follow his dog, and that’s when the fun starts—a nighttime romp around town where he learns what adventures dogs get up to while their humans are fast asleep.

The Fox Wish

By Kimiko Aman, illustrated by Komako Sakai

Two children, who go looking for their jump rope, discover that a group of foxes have claimed it as an answer to their wish. With beautiful, classic illustrations and lyrical text, here is a subtle, sensitive piece of magic that proves to sisters, brothers, and foxes alike that the trusted familiar often lives right next to the truly extraordinary—if only you have the eyes to see it.

Under the Silver Moon

Illustrated by Pamela Dalton

Cut-paper artist Pamela Dalton’s magically intricate illustrations illuminate a generous collection of lullabies and goodnight poems. Recalling traditional favorites from childhood and embracing a wide range of sources and cultures, this timeless collection makes a lovely addition to any bedroom bookshelf or bedtime read-aloud ritual—sure to enchant both children and their parents.

While You Are Sleeping

By Mariana Ruiz Johnson

In this dreamy book, (which won the 2015 Silent Book Contest at the prestigious Bologna Children’s Book Fair) Mariana Ruiz Johnson conjures up the ordinary yet extraordinary world outside the window of a sleeping child. Some people are working. Some people are eating. Some are walking their dogs, others are watching the stars. And some are setting off on an adventure that might inspire an artist to create a book. As magical as the night sky, readers will return to Mariana Ruiz Johnson’s illustrations again and again, finding new stories each time they visit.

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We hope these books lead to the sweetest of dreams. If you liked this, you might be interested in these posts, too:

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Lara Starr

Lara Starr is Chronicle’s Senior Publicist for Children’s books, and the author of Wookiee Pies, Clone Scones and other Galactic Goodies, Ice Sabers, The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ Cookbook and Cookie Cutters Kit, and Chef Olivia™. Tell her you like her sweater and she’ll tell you exactly what she paid for it.