Though the announcement of bedtime is often dreaded by children as the end to an evening of playing, bedtime itself, the few tranquil moments when a parent and child spend time together, is cherished. The following children’s books explore—and celebrate—bedtime.

Good Night, Gorilla, story and illustrations by Peggy Rathman. As a zookeeper makes his evening rounds, a gorilla slyly swipes his keys and releases the animals from their cages. The tired animals quietly follow the zookeeper back to his house and into his bedroom, only to be discovered by his wife who returns them sleepily back to the zoo. The gorilla, though, proves to be persistent. Filled with amusing pictures of lovable zoo animals, this board book will charm young and old readers. Ages two to six. (GP Putnam & Sons, 1994)

And If the Moon Could Talk, story by Kate Banks, illustrations by Georg Hallensleben. The serene text and illustrations of this splendid bedtime book combine to craft a soothing view of the world getting ready for bed. Alternating warm interior and exterior nighttime scenes, the book celebrates the evening activities that lead animals and humans to bed. Bank’s bedtime book provides the calming influence many children need at the end of the day. Ages five to seven. (Frances Foster Books, 1998)

10 Minutes to Bedtime, story and illustrations by Peggy Rathman. In this quirky bedtime story, hamsters congregate at a young girl’s house to take the “10 Minute Bedtime Tour,” which begins when her father announces it’s “10 minutes to bedtime”. The hamsters observe and participate in the last 10 minutes of a child’s day: changing into pajamas, reading, brushing teeth, even joining in for a last-minute soak in the tub. When the tour is over, the young girl is more than ready for bed. Parents and children will recognize the excitement of cramming these last precious activities into their day and understand why so many hamsters would want to watch. Ages five to seven. (Putnam Juvenile, 1998)

Night Shift Daddy, story by Eileen Spinelli, illustrations by Melissa Iwai. In sweet simple rhyme, the young narrator of this bedtime book creates an ode to her father, who tucks her in every night before working the night shift. The book follows this father and daughter from the evening when she prepares for bed as he heads off to work to the morning when he goes to sleep as she runs out to play. This book pays tribute to the many mothers and fathers (including Spinelli’s) who lovingly raise their children while working the night shift. Ages five to seven. (Hyperion Books for Children, 2000)

How do Dinosaurs say Good Night?, story by Jane Yolen, illustrations by Mark Teague. Imagining how dinosaurs might go to bed, this humorous book replays many of the familiar antics of young children. Do dinosaurs pout, cry, mope, and throw their teddy bears or do they instead kiss their mother, turn out the lights, and say goodnight? Teague’s comical interpretations make imagining any of these possibilities fun for all bedtime readers. Ages five to seven. (The Blue Sky Press, 2000)

When Sheep Cannot Sleep, story and illustrations by Satoshi Kitamura. If people count sheep to go to sleep, what do sheep count? Kitamura answers this question as he follows Woolly, a sheep who can’t get to sleep. Wandering through a meadow, Woolly finds an interesting number of items on his sleepless journey. From one butterfly to two sleeping ladybugs to the twenty stars outside, his adventures lead him back to bed where the reader can count the Zs over his head. Readers will enjoy Kitamura’s book as both a counting book and an engaging bedtime story. Ages five to seven. (Farrar Straus Giroux, 1986)