1. Hello, Harvest Moon by Ralph Fletcher
Beautifully illustrated by Kate Kiesler, this children’s book takes notes from the bedtime classic, Goodnight Moon, paying ode to nocturnal life with a poignant farewell to the moon. The titular character looms large in the story, as it engulfs a still world of autumnal crops, trees and countryside critters in a roaring glow—all brought to life in the eyes of a girl and her cat. Children will easily drift off to dreamland against the gentle tempo and rhyme scheme that the book sets up.
2. The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri
Engage your little ones with a squirrel’s tale (pun intended), as he scurries around, gathering nuts and berries to prepare for the approaching winter months. Ideal for toddlers, this book depicts Squirrel’s woodland friends imploring him to slow down and participate in some fall activities, including taking a midday nap and nibbling on some pumpkin, but alas—our bushy-tailed protagonist has chores to do. To add some color to your storytelling, we recommend giving the creatures distinct voices for the dialogue.
3. The Berenstain Bears’ Harvest Festival by Mike Berenstain
For our next book recommendation, we turn to a renowned literary family: the Berenstain Bears! This story follows Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister and Honey, as they attend their local harvest festival, marveling at the crisp weather and taking in a hayride, apple picking and visit to the pumpkin patch. The tale highlights the virtue of gratitude in time for the Thanksgiving season.
4. In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz
Induct the youngins into the campfire storytelling tradition with this classic collection of spooky stories, poems and urban legends. Retold for children, one story titled “The Green Ribbon” follows a girl named Jenny who wears a—you guessed it—green ribbon around her neck. She befriends (and eventually marries) a boy named Alfred, and one day, curious, Alfred unties Jenny’s ribbon, and her head falls onto the floor. The perfect selection for Halloween time, this book gives room for chilling bedtime theatrics.
5. Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules
This Thanksgiving story centers around a young girl named Tuyet, as she grapples with her Vietnamese-American family’s less-than-traditional Turkey Day festivities. Hoping for the classic American fixings, she is disappointed to learn that her mother is serving duck for Thanksgiving dinner. Her embarrassment dissipates when she discovers that many of her classmates enjoyed non-Turkey entrées like enchiladas, lamb and roast beef for dinner. Most importantly, the heartwarming tale invokes the idea that the holiday is not about the food on one’s plate but about family togetherness.
As daylight starts to run out earlier, a scheduled bedside reading is a great way to ease kids into a bedtime routine that ensures a sufficient night’s sleep. For all of your and your child’s mattress needs, come visit our store today! We are always happy to help.