It’s official, whether or not it’s read by Tom Hardy, bedtime stories are proven to help your tot unwind when it's time for bed.
Research* suggests that while three-quarters of parents consider reading to their children every night as incredibly important, only 19 per cent of them find room for storytime when settling down for the night.
Our busy lives, full with work, socialising, smartphones and TV programmes, have pushed out storytime from our parental routines.
A staggering 71 per cent of parents surveyed said that reading to their children was one of the most stressful things they do.
To help you get back into storytime, and enjoy reading to and with your children, we have rounded up the best bedtime storybooks to read to babies that they will love to listen to while they drift off to sleep, plus 10 top storytime tips from Professor Tanya Byron so you can put the joy of reading back into bedtime with your children for a great bedtime routine. We've also got bedtime stories for toddlers if your child is a little older too.
15 bedtime storybooks for babies
Rrp: £7.99
Description
You were probably read this classic by your own parents, but your little one will love watching
Rrp: £7.99
Rrp: £6.99
Description
This cute bedtime story was chosen by Supernanny Jo Frost as one of her Best Bedtime Reads. This
Rrp: £6.99
3. The Gruffalo
Rrp: £6.99
Description
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Gruffalo is a classic, selling 13.5 million copies across
Rrp: £6.99
4. Llama Llama Red Pajama
Description
Another rhyming story, Llama Llama Red Pajama is fun for your little one to listen to, and for you
5. Guess How Much I Love You
Description
The perfect story to accompany a bedtime cuddle, you’ll love the idea behind this cute book, as
6. Baby Touch: Night-Night
Description
This interactive touch and feel book is ideal for helping babies and young toddlers wind-down
7. Winnie-the-Pooh: Goodnight Pooh
Description
Join Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood in a cosy bedtime story. Young
8. Ten Little Night Stars
Description
Ten Little Night Stars is a sweet bedtime counting book perfect for the youngest readers. One by
9. Night Night Peter Rabbit: Cloth Book
Description
Night Night Peter Rabbit is the softest cosiest bedtime treat for sleepy babies. This delightful
10. Sleepyheads (Classic Board Books)
Description
Get ready for bed with this soothing sleepy story. "The sun has set, and sleepyheads all across
11. Can't You Sleep Little Bear?
Description
This sweet tale is about Little Bear, who can't sleep as he's scared of the darkness all around
12. PEEPO!
Rrp: £7.99
Description
A classic for babies and toddlers, PEEPO! gives different glimpses into a baby's day as the adults
Rrp: £7.99
13. Peace At Last
Description
Parents in particular will love reading this best-selling book from Jill Murphy, as they'll be
14. Owl Babies
Description
Sarah, Percy and Bill are three baby owls who wake up one night in their hole in a tree to find
15. We're Going On A Bear Hunt
Description
'We're going on a bear hunt...we're not scared'...If you haven't read the book yourself, then
10 top tips for storytime
Storytime tip 1
If you’re short on time, tell a short poem or pick a book you’re already familiar with.
*Research conducted by Alton Towers