Stop by my blog, A Mama’s Rant and enter my Get your toddler to sleep with a little help from Johnson’s contest. I’m giving away $50 worth of Johnson’s baby products!

While setting up the contest, I learned that a leading sleep expert, Dr. Jodi A. Mindell, recommends that you use Johnson’s bedtime products (bath wash and lotion) followed by quiet activities like reading books is the best way get your child to go to sleep. You may also want to try some sleep-inducing snacks.

Here are some sleepy time book recommendations from a few of my favorite publishers.

Kane/Miller Book Publishers

Sophie’s Big Bed by Tina Burke. Even though she’s been sleeping in a big girl bed for years, my daughter really enjoyed this book. If you’re trying to transition your child from crib to bed, this is a wonderful book to read together. Also available in Spanish. (Baby/Preschool)

I Don’t Want to Go to Bed by Tony Ross. Why do I have to go to bed when I’m not tired and get up when I am? asked the Little Princess. Why indeed? Because the King and Queen know best, that’s why. Never mind about spiders and monsters, never mind another glass of water, it’s time to go to bed! But when the Little Princess finally goes and the King comes in to kiss her goodnight…she’s gone! Baby/Preschool.

Marc Just Couldn’t Sleep by Gabriela Keselman and illustrated by Noemi Villamuza. It’s bedtime, but Marc just can’t sleep. He’s scared. He’s worried. Mom to the rescue! One of the first things you learn as a parent is you can’t force anyone, particularly your own child, to fall asleep. If they just can’t sleep, they just can’t sleep. Marc’s resourceful and resilient mom know this, but, like the rest of us, tries anyway. Ages 4 to 8.

The Nights Of The World by Corinne Albaut and illustrated by Arno. Everyone closes their eyes the same way, but then what? An original way in which to discover other places and people and to learn about similarities and differences. Read about five children from five different regions of the world and learn how each child sleeps. Ages 4 to 8.

Sylvan Dell Publishing

Animals Are Sleeping by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Gary R. Phillips. Learn how animals sleep in the wild. The short, lyrical text provides fascinating information, such as location, position, and duration of sleep of animals living in different habitats. The satisfying conclusion will have children reaching for this book again and again at naptime, bedtime, or any time of day to learn about animals. Check out the book’s For Creative Minds section for animal sorting cards and activities. (Click here to download the PDF.) You can also go to the Sylvan Dell website for Teaching Activities and Learning Links and more. Ages 4 to 8.

Water Beds: Sleeping In The Ocean by Gail Langer Karwoski and illustrated by Connie McLennan. Tuck your little ones into bed with this soothing, restful story. How do marine mammals – animals that breathe air – sleep in the deep waters of the ocean? Water Beds: Sleeping in the Ocean answers this question. Youngsters meet ten marine mammals, including sea otters and bottlenose dolphins, manatees and harbor seals, humpback whales and walruses, and learn about each animal’s unique habits. Download the For Creative Mind’s PDF. You can also go to the website for Teaching Activities and Learning Links and More. Ages 4 to 8.

Lobster Press

The Way to Slumbertown by L. M. Montgomery and illustrated by Rachel Bédard. This enchanting new illustrated version of L.M. Montgomery’s poem makes a wonderful gift for small children and their parents. Destined to become a bedtime classic, this book can be read aloud to sleepy youngsters, introducing them to the gentle, lyrical magic of traditional poetry. Ages 4 to 6.

What are your favorite night time books? Share by commenting below!

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