Are you looking for a way to unwind right before bedtime? Want to get your children feeling cozy and ready for sleep? Turns out, not only will reading in bed help everyone relax before bedtime, but reading also improves memory skills and combats insomnia too!
Interested? You’re right on time for National Cuddle Up Day, which falls on January 6. Check out our selection of feel-good books you can either read to your children or by yourself and get ready to unwind as you tuck into sleep!
1. Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You
Is there really any way to explain the power of love? Well, Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman does an excellent job of trying and is a great read for children of any age. The story illustrates how everyone carries love with them wherever they go, which is fitting for those bedtime cuddles and kisses!
2. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
Making mistakes is what makes us human, and Mark Pett’s The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes embodies this idea to a T. The story following Beatrice Bottomwell’s journey from little perfectionist to making a big public mistake is an entertaining must-read for every household. Laugh out loud with your kiddos and help them feel good about their mistakes too!
3. Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child
If your little one has outgrown picture books, consider the charming tale of Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child by Terreece Clarke. Charlie’s struggles with popularity, peer pressure, and (of course) being the middle child is a great way to open up discussions about self-worth and acceptance for who you are with your middle-schooler. Take the story chapter by chapter and explore each funny and engaging encounter right along with Charlie herself!
4. Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come
We’ve all been staying in more, but it won’t always be this way. So, follow along the hilarious journey of an introvert pretending to be an extrovert and trying out new experiences (and sometimes failing at them) in Jessica Pan’s Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come: One Introvert’s Year of Saying Yes. Laugh, commiserate, and just enjoy yourself with this honest tale about opening up your world to new and exciting (more like terrifying) life experiences!
5. The Flatshare
Now this one is also just for you—so put the kiddos to bed, get into your cozy robe, and cuddle up with The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary. This charming tale begins with two people sharing an apartment—who’ve never met before! Tiff works days and Leon works nights, but they manage to connect by leaving notes for each other, and from there the story goes. Sit back and dig into this endearing read with larger-than-life characters!
6. A Walk in the Woods
If you love zany misadventures with an outdoor backdrop, then A Walk in the Woods: The World’s Funniest Travel Writer Takes a Hike by Bill Bryson is just the ticket! Get ready to laugh and grin ear-to-ear as you join Bill and Stephen’s unfortunate Appalachian Trail hike through hordes of insects, horrible weather, and a laughing murderer—say what now? Get a taste for the outdoors from your very cozy bed with this romp in the woods!
7. When We Were Vikings
Get ready to celebrate National Cuddle Up Day and your inner Viking with Zelda as she goes on a quest to be legendary! Join Zelda in Andrew David MacDonald’s tale of When We Were Vikings as she discovers her brother’s questionable means of supporting them and journeys to be the absolute best in this refreshing and heartwarming read.
Whether reading in bed with your kids or by yourself, these uplifting books are sure to put you in the mood for a good night’s rest. Still having trouble sleeping even after reading these feel-good books? It might be time to upgrade your mattress. And if your nightly story-time cuddle is starting to feel extra snug, consider upgrading your kids to a larger mattress, like a twin XL or a full! If you have more questions about mattresses, give us a call!