Not just for bedtime! Pajamas can be a fun theme for storytime – everyone can relate to them and it is a theme that can be used anytime. You can make it a special program by encouraging everyone to wear pajamas to the storytime, and have several related activities to enjoy after the stories. Play a game of Pillow Case Race – have four or five children climb into pillow cases and hop from a starting line to the end – approx. 20 feet. Have the winners of each race go against each other for the ultimate championship!
Bedford, David. BEDTIME FOR LITTLE BEARS! A little polar bear isn’t tired, so he and his mother go for a walk and see other animals getting ready to go to sleep.
Boynton, Sandra. PAJAMA TIME! Available in an oversized board book edition, Boynton’s signature cartoon animals celebrate bedtime in their pajamas.
Brooks, Erik. THE PRACTICALLY PERFECT PAJAMAS. Percy gives up his footy pajamas after being teased by the other polar bears, but he soon realizes how useful they were!
Christelow, Eileen. FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED. The classic finger play, brought to life with fun cartoon illustrations.
Dewdney, Anna. LLAMA LLAMA RED PAJAMA In this rhyming toddler story that is the first in a popular series, Baby Llama is afraid of being alone at bedtime.
French, Vivian. POLLY’S PINK PAJAMAS. Polly wears her pajamas everywhere. What will she do when she is invited to Fred’s party?
Hoban, Russell. BEDTIME FOR FRANCES. In this first book starring Frances the badger, she puts off bedtime by requesting several items like a kiss, or a glass of milk.
London, Jonathan. FROGGY GOES TO BED. Froggy isn’t tired so he avoids getting ready for bed.
Meadows, Michelle. PIGGIES IN PAJAMAS. Rhyme and onomatopoeia distinguish this fun story of five pigs that get ready for bed.
Numeroff, Laura. IF YOU GIVE A PIG A PANCAKE. In this classic circular story, a Pig needs many things before bedtime.
Plourde, Lynne. PAJAMA DAY. Drew forgets to wear his pajamas on the school’s pajama day!
Rathman, Peggy. 10 MINUTES TO BEDTIME. While a child gets ready for bed, several hamsters visit the boy’s house.
Smith, Maggie. PIGS IN PAJAMAS. Rhyme and alliteration highlight this story of Penelope Pig’s slumber party.
Wood, Don and Audrey. NAPPING HOUSE. In this cumulative story, several people and animals are sleeping until they encounter that wakeful flea!
Also see the previous Pajamas storytime ideas page from February 2012.