Five-minute bedtime books that still feel like a proper story

It is 8:40, everyone is tired, and they have asked for a story. These all finish in about five minutes, and none of them feels like a cheat.

Jon Klassen

About three minutes, and they will still be laughing when the light goes off.

Ages 3–8 · ≈ 3 min aloud

Margaret Wise Brown & Clement Hurd

Three minutes that wind the whole room down with you.

Ages 0–3 · ≈ 3 min aloud

Mo Willems

Three loud minutes. Best when they still have some energy to burn.

Ages 2–6 · ≈ 3 min aloud

Martin Waddell & Patrick Benson

Four minutes, with a real story and a warm ending.

Ages 1–4 · ≈ 4 min aloud

Maurice Sendak

Five minutes of the greatest picture book anyone has made.

Ages 3–7 · ≈ 5 min aloud

Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury

Five minutes, if you do not stop for the voices. You will stop for the voices.

Ages 1–6 · ≈ 5 min aloud

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