Bedtime stories can be a child’s favourite time of the day. Spending quality time together whilst going on adventures all from the comfort of their own bed. Storytime can be a magical moment for a child, especially if the story is one they love.

Reading before bedtime is a great way to encourage a child’s imagination and creativity, the stories and pictures working together to bring their favourite story to life. 

Why Read with your Child?

Bedtime is great for getting some quality time with your child as you read wondrous tales of adventure, love and friendship together. 

Reading together at night is a great way to improve a child’s language development and reading comprehension skills, learning by seeing and doing. 

Teach your child to value books and stories with a regular bedtime routine. What better way to instil the joy of reading in your child than with a classic story that you love and want to share from your own childhood?

Classic children’s books and retellings teach children different morals and life lessons that help them to grow, whilst the illustrated characters help to capture a child’s attention and help them remember the stories. 

When your child sees the love you have for a book it will also make them more interested in the story that you want to share with them, the perfect bonding activity.

Classic books show the difference between the modern world and the one they’re reading about, giving children an appreciation of the world around them. 

Looking for your next bedtime read? Help your child with their literacy skills whilst you bond with our top five classic stories and retellings for kids.

Hairy Maclary and Friends Little Library by Lynley Dodd

A classic children’s picture book, Hairy Maclary is the mischievous dog that kids love. Full of rhyming stories and fun illustrations of Hairy Maclary and all his friends, kids will enjoy following the classic dog on a range of cheeky adventures.

Join Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy as he and his friends try to have fun, whilst getting into spots of trouble along the way. This Hairy Maclary and Friends Little Library collection is the perfect introduction to the many adventures of Hairy Maclary, as told by children’s author and illustrator Lynley Dodd.

Hairy Maclary was first published in 1983 and has been a firm favourite with children ever since. Parents, Grandparents and children alike can all reminisce and bond about their favourite, naughty little illustrated dog.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

A classic children’s story from Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake, Matilda is a magical bedtime read sure to have children trying to move books with their minds and dreaming of being able to eat an entire chocolate cake all to themselves.

This edition of Dahl’s classic book comes in full colour, allowing children to learn all about Matilda Wormwood whilst stimulating their minds with beautiful illustrations that help to make reading more interesting and enjoyable, getting your child hooked on reading.

Matilda was first published in 1988, the perfect book for all generations to enjoy as Matilda causes mischief at school with her magical mind and no-nonsense attitude. Follow Matilda as she joins school, makes friends and fights back against evil headmistress Miss Trunchbull.

Matilda is the ideal start to chapter books with her classic, magical story.

Peter Rabbit My First Little Library by Beatrix Potter

Peter Rabbit is a classic, hopping across bookshelves since 1901! Everybody’s favourite naughty bunny, Peter and Pals are perfect first-learning reading books, ideal for bedtime stories that allow your children to practise their reading skills.

With four titles: Words, Numbers, Shapes and Colours, the Peter Rabbit My First Little Library allows children to join Peter and his friends as they introduce children to learning through the wonderful world of Beatrix Potter.

These classic tales have stood the test of time, helping generations to learn literacy and maths skills whilst digging up Mr McGreggor’s garden and having fun with Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and all of their woodland friends.

Beautiful illustrations and cheery characters make the Peter Rabbit books an enjoyable bedtime read for children and parents alike.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

A classic reimagined, Pride and Prejudice is a story full of misunderstandings, poor judgement and wicked lies that are overcome by the Bennet Family in this reimagined tale of the classic work of Jane Austen.

Classic books such as Pride and Prejudice are a great way to introduce your child to different time periods and the trials and tribulations they would have faced, teaching them how much the world has changed. 

Pride and Prejudice is a classic tale full of coming-of-age teachings about life and love. Jane Austen’s most famous work may be the ideal way for your child to learn all about growing up and the trials that come with it.

The Wind In The Willows by Lesley Sims

The Wind in the Willows is a classic tale following Mole, Ratty, Badger and Mr Toad as they head on a motorcar adventure that leads to a spot of trouble. The story of The Wind in the Willows as written by Kenneth Grahame is retold in this edition by Lesley Sims. 

This bedtime read is ideal for children who are just beginning to grow their reading ability. Reading this edition together can help a child to gain confidence in their reading ability, with help from their parents as they start their journey into children’s chapter books.

First published in 1908, both children and older family members will enjoy joining the chaotic woodland friends on their race through the English countryside.

Discover Excellent Children’s Books at Brightminds

At Brightminds we stock a wide range of Children’s books that are great for encouraging creativity and imagination in your child. Chapter books, picture books and interest books, our selection is suitable for all reading ages and abilities, helping your child to grow their reading and speaking skills whilst going on hundreds of exciting adventures.