Preschool Storytime Ideas
Sleep
Going to sleep is a concept that preschoolers can relate to – both wanting to stay up late, and the rituals of going to bed including brushing teeth, listening to a story, etc. For a craft idea, make these sleep masks (perfect for a slumber party!). Or, you can make this Sleep Card Game, to remind parents and children of positive pre-sleep behavior.
Adler, David. IT’S TIME TO SLEEP, IT’S TIME TO DREAM. A comforting, brief story of going to sleep, focusing on the four seasons.
Asch, Frank. GOOD NIGHT, BABY BEAR. Even when preparing for hibernation, baby bear needs a snack, drink, and the moon just like a human child.
Bailey, Linda. GOODNIGHT, SWEET PIG. A counting book about a little pig who cannot sleep due to the noisy pigs in her room.
Beaumont, Karen. NO SLEEP FOR THE SHEEP! Little sheep wants to sleep, but the others in the barn keep him awake.
Brown, Margaret Wise. A CHILD’S GOOD NIGHT BOOK. At night, as it gets quiet, sleep arrives in this Caldecott Honor classic.
Feiffer, Kate. NO GO SLEEP! With Jules Feiffer’s signature cartoon illustrations, a baby won’t go to sleep even after the usual story.
Fleming, Denise. TIME TO SLEEP. Bear notices that winter is nearly here, and it is time to sleep.
Fox, Mem. SLEEPY BEARS. Mama bear has a rhyme for each of the six baby bears, to get them to go to sleep.
Hoban, Russell. BEDTIME FOR FRANCES. Frances the badger cannot go to sleep because of the shadows and strange noises she sees and hears.
Massie, Diane. THE BABY BEEBEE BIRD. The audience will chant the bird’s nighttime song that keeps the other zoo animals awake.
McQuinn, Anna. THE SLEEP SHEEP. Sylvie cannot fall asleep, but when she tries counting sheep, they refuse to cooperate.
Polushkin, Maria. MOTHER, MOTHER, I WANT ANOTHER. Baby mouse wants another kiss before going to bed; the audience will chant the title phrase which is repeated throughout the story.
Scotton, Rob. RUSSELL THE SHEEP. Russell tries all types of ways of falling asleep.
Shulevitz, Uri. SO SLEEPY STORY. A sleepy boy awakes to discover things in his house, such as chairs and dishes, are dancing.
Sierra, Judy. THE SLEEPY LITTLE ALPHABET. The lower case letters have trouble getting to sleep.
Various. SLEEPING BEAUTY. If you have older preschoolers and primary graders, try this classic fairy tale.