Cuddling up and reading books together is a wonderful way to end the day with your little ones. Bedtime stories provide time to wind down to get ready to go to sleep. The routine creates time in our schedules to make a habit of reading together. And bedtime stories offer an opportunity for closeness that might otherwise get missed throughout the hectic day. Some of the titles below are old favorites - and you can never go wrong with an old favorite. Others are fun and hip new titles. So check some out from your local library, grab a soft blanket and gather up your favorite little person for some bedtimes stories together. 
Nighty Night Sleepy Sleeps by Brian AndersonFollowing the avoidance tactics of a young child and the dog, this lively book brings a final closure of rest. The author is a syndicated cartoonist and the characters from this book are from the comic, Dog Eat Doug. (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Anderson, Brian. Nighty Night Sleepy Sleeps. Roaring Book Press, 2008.)
In a Blue Room by Jim Averbeck
Young Alice can only go to sleep in a blue room and everything in it must be blue. In a sentimental story, we see the magic of how Alice's room becomes her sleeping blue haven. (Ages 3-6)
(Full bibliographic info: Averbeck, Jim. In a Blue Room. Harcourt, 2008.)
Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang
Caldecott Honor book, Ten, Nine, Eight counts the reader from ten down to one as we watch an evening of bedtime preparations. The beautiful and colorful illustrations and the simple, bold text make this a perfect bedtime story for even the youngest readers. (Ages 0-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Bang, Molly. Ten, Nine, Eight. Greenwillow, 1983.)
Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont
It's nap time down on the farm, but the little baby has no interest in staying in bed. After striking up some fanciful dances with the stuffed animals, it becomes clear that this baby isn't napping. (We've all been there.) And after an evening of a polka party, the baby finally goes to sleep. (Ages 1-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Beaumont, Karen. Baby Danced the Polka. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2004.)
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Still as captivating today as it was generations ago, Goodnight Moon is a must have for your bedside table. (Ages 0-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Brown, Margaret Wise. Goodnight Moon. Scholastic, 1947.)
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
After the whole bedtime routine, Llama has asked for a glass of water and because Mama has taken "too long", Llama gets very dramatic in a scene we all have witnessed before. With bright illustrations and great expressions, this book is not one to miss. (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Dewdney, Anna. Llama Llama Red Pajama. Viking, 2005.)
Peekaboo Bedtime by Rachel Isadora
In a playful hide and seek, this story brings us through baby's evening - a visit with grandparents including a cookie providing grandma, bath time, story time and all the way to bedtime. (Ages 1-3)
(Full bibliographic info: Isadora, Rachel. Peekaboo Bedtime. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2008.)
Ten Tiny Babies by Karen KatzIn Karen Katz's bright and engaging style of illustration, we count on an adventure up to ten babies before they fall asleep. (Ages 1-3)
(Full bibliographic info: Katz, Karen. Ten Tiny Babies. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2008)
Once Upon a Time the End (Asleep in 60 Seconds) by Geoffrey Kloske
This book is hilarious and is intended for slightly older readers, so it's a great one to gather up with your older preschooler. The premise is a Dad who is ready for bed, but a child who isn't, so the Dad begins to abbreviate well known bedtime tales. Very funny. (Ages 4-9)
(Full bibliographic info: Kloske, Geoffrey. Once Upon a Time the End (Asleep in 60 Seconds). Athenuem Books for Young Readers, 2005.)
Goodnight, Goodnight Sleepyhead by Ruth Krauss
This is an updated, re-illustrated version of the book and the sweet pictures bring us through an evening to say goodnight to this child. (Ages 1-4)
(Full bibliographic info: Krauss, Ruth. Goodnight Goodnight Sleepyhead. Harper Collins, 2004.)
Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed? by Barry Saltzberg
Who wouldn't love this pig named Cornelius P. Mud? His antics in preparation for bed and quite amusing and the simple text makes this a great read for young readers. ( Ages 2-4)
(Full bibliographic info: Saltzberg, Barry. Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed? Candlewick Press, 2005.)
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea
This little dinosaur is out for a showdown - one event at a time. Dinosaur vs a pile of leaves. Dinosaur vs a plate of spaghetti. Until the greatest challenge of them all - dinosaur vs bedtime. The illustrations holler movement and excitement and the distinctive text make this a favorite of preschoolers. (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Shea, Bob. Dinosaur vs. Bedtime. Hyperion, 2008.)
The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson
This beautiful book is the 2009 winner of the Caldecott Medal. The simple bedtime story line is brought alive through the wondrous illustrations. (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Swanson, Susan Marie. The House in the Night. Houghton Mifflin, 2008.)
Hold onto your seats because pretty soon the Literacy Lava blog log will be erupting! Susan Stephenson, The Book Chook, has coordinated this new on-line resource created for parents, grandparents, caregivers - anyone who has children in his or her life. And it will be of no surprise that the theme of Literacy Lava is to promote and support literacy, reading and children's literature through user-friendly articles and useful tips. You'll find that the information is to the point and provides ideas which you can begin using immediately. So keep an eye out here for Literacy Lava!
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