Bessie Baker
Gentle Poems for Bedtime
Picture bookages 3–7grades K–2350L2022
A soothing, low-stakes read-aloud that works well for winding down without requiring active participation from a tired child.
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Fish for Supper
by M. B. Goffstein
Picture book · ages 4–7 · 1976
A spare, meditative picture book about a cat hunting fish — Goffstein's pencil art is luminous and the pacing teaches patience; the kill is matter-of-fact, not sensational.
Sweet Dreams
by Rick Telander
Picture book · ages 4–8 · 350L · 2022
A gentle, low-stakes bedtime read that works well for the final few minutes before lights out.
Waiting
by Kevin Henkes
Picture book · ages 4–8 · 550L · 2015
Henkes' masterpiece of restraint — five simple characters, one quiet concept, and the illustrations do almost all the emotional work; it's the rare picture book that teaches without preaching.