10+ Best Bedtime Story Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime story books for 5-year-olds to help your little one drift off to dreamland? You're in luck! In this blog, we've gathered a delightful selection of books that are just right for five-year-olds. From tales that spark imagination to stories that soothe and comfort, we have something that every child will love. Keep reading to discover our various lists of bedtime story books for 5-year-olds and find your child’s next favorite night-time read!

Fun Bedtime Story Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max, dressed in a wolf costume, makes mischief and is sent to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious wild forest and sea appear, and he sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing kids that they can explore wild and fantastical worlds from the safety of their bedrooms.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and dreamers who love letting their imaginations run wild.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
  • Illustrator: Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Classic, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: In a great green room, a young rabbit says goodnight to all the familiar things in the softly lit room.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, gentle text provides a calming bedtime reading experience, perfect for settling down at night.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy soothing read-alouds to help them wind down before bedtime.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Illustrator: Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches counting, the days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all wrapped in beautiful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Curious young minds interested in nature and learning basic concepts through stories.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
  • Illustrator: Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him: as far as he can reach and as far as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare can reach farther and hop higher.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the boundless nature of love between a parent and child.
  • Perfect for: Children and parents who enjoy sharing moments of affection and love through reading.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
  • Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Rhyming
  • Synopsis: A kind witch invites various animals to join her on her broom, much to the frustration of her cat. Their teamwork is put to the test when they encounter a dragon!
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun tale that emphasizes the value of friendship and cooperation, all delivered in delightful rhymes.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love magical stories and learning about the importance of helping others.

Educational Bedtime Story Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
  • Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A mouse takes a stroll through the deep dark wood and encounters several dangerous animals, each of whom seems eager to eat him. Using clever tricks, the mouse evades danger, ultimately coming face-to-face with the mythical Gruffalo.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, creativity, storytelling
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases the power of intelligence and quick thinking through engaging, rhythmic text and captivating illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy tales of adventure and clever protagonists.

• The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
  • Illustrator: Marcus Pfister
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Moral
  • Synopsis: The most beautiful fish in the ocean discovers the importance of sharing and friendship when he gives away his most prized possessions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, sharing, friendship
  • Why we recommend this book: Its shimmering, colorful illustrations captivate children, and its message about the value of generosity resonates deeply.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters learning about kindness and the joy of giving.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Illustrator: Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A pigeon dreams of driving a bus, but the reader is in charge of making sure the pigeon doesn’t get behind the wheel, no matter how much he pleads.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Decision-making, responsibility
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and humorous, engaging children in a fun refusal game while teaching them about responsibility.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive reading sessions and those who love a good laugh.

• Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers
  • Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Friendship
  • Synopsis: A boy finds a penguin at his doorstep and decides to help it find its way home, leading to an unexpected friendship.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, friendship, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines simple yet powerful storytelling with charming illustrations to convey themes of friendship and kindness.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories about unlikely friendships and adventures.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Illustrator: Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Classic, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This classic tale follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, leading to a series of troubles and lessons learned.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Listening skills, understanding consequences
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important lessons about obedience and the consequences of misbehavior, all through engaging narrative and beautiful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy classic stories with moral lessons.

Challenging Bedtime Story Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
  • Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Inspirational, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book offers encouragement and inspiration through the journey of life, highlighting the challenges and successes one might face.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of resilience and self-discovery, which are advanced topics for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's uplifting and motivational, providing a positive outlook on overcoming life’s obstacles.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are beginning to understand and navigate their own journeys in life.

• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
  • Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Environmental, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Through the character of the Lorax, who speaks for the trees, this book teaches about the importance of taking care of the environment.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes like environmental conservation and the impact of industrialization.
  • Why we recommend this book: It raises awareness about environmental issues in a way that is accessible and engaging for young children.
  • Perfect for: Eco-conscious families and young environmentalists.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Illustrator: Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Classic
  • Synopsis: This story follows the adventures of Madeline, a brave and spirited girl who lives in a boarding school in Paris.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features rich language and complex rhyming schemes that are sophisticated for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful read that introduces children to different cultures and the virtues of courage and independence.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about other cultures and strong female characters.

• Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
  • Illustrator: Janell Cannon
  • Genre(s): Animal Stories, Friendship
  • Synopsis: After being separated from her mother, a young fruit bat named Stellaluna is adopted by a family of birds but struggles to fit in.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores themes of identity and conformity through the lens of interspecies relationships.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important lessons about acceptance and celebrating differences.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning about friendship and the beauty of diversity.

• The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
  • Illustrator: Michael Martchenko
  • Genre(s): Fairy Tale, Feminism
  • Synopsis: Princess Elizabeth outsmarts a dragon to save her prince, but realizes she can do better than someone who doesn’t appreciate her efforts.
  • Why this book is challenging: It subverts traditional gender roles and introduces themes of self-worth and independence.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a fresh perspective on fairy tales and empowers young readers to value their own strengths.
  • Perfect for: Young readers, especially girls, who are ready to see a different kind of princess story.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to nurture a love for reading in your 5-year-old, incorporating some fun and educational exercises into their bedtime story routine can be a fantastic way to do so. Here are a few exercises that can help develop good reading habits while keeping the process enjoyable and engaging.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading activity where you and your child look through the pictures of a book before reading it.
  • How it helps: Encourages prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Echo Reading
  • What it is: You read a sentence aloud, then your child repeats the same sentence.
  • How it helps: Improves fluency and pronunciation.
  • Tips: Keep your tone lively to model expressive reading.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Identify and come up with rhyming words from the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances phonemic awareness and can be a lot of fun.
  • Tips: Celebrate and clap when your child finds a rhyme, making it a game.

• Story Role Play
  • What it is: Act out parts of the story with your child, using dialogues and actions.
  • How it helps: Boosts comprehension and makes the reading experience interactive.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role play more exciting.

• Question Jar
  • What it is: Keep a jar of pre-written questions that your child picks after the reading session.
  • How it helps: Encourages thinking and understanding about the story.
  • Tips: Tailor questions to be open-ended to provoke more thought and discussion.

Incorporating these exercises into your bedtime reading routine will not only make the time special but also enhance your child's reading abilities and love for stories. They're simple, fun, and effective—perfect for making those precious moments before bed both educational and enjoyable. Give them a try and watch your little one's imagination and reading skills soar!