The following rhyme encourages grandparents to make reading-aloud to their grandchildren part of the bedtime routine. Titles of favorite read-aloud books for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are shown in italics.
By Susan Marx
Let’s read a book Together to settle you down,
Time for Bed in your cozy jammies or nightgown.
Sleep time for you and Dino-Pets that watch you grow,
Count along with me Ten, Nine, Eight and Off We Go!
Little one you might ask Where to Sleep?
For sure not with those Sheep in a Jeep.
Duck! Rabbit! Here’s a Kiss Kiss from Little Mo,
Stop your Dancing Feet, be still From Head To Toe.
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed go Bumpety Bump on the floor,
OH! The Runaway Bunny calls for help from Sammy and the Dinosaur.
Chicken Bedtime is Really Early honks Blue Goose,
Mommies Say Shhh! to the Mother Goose on the Loose.
Here Comes the Night so quietly listen as Bear Snores On,
No more coloring for Harold and the Purple Crayon.
Good night to the dog in Whistle for Willie,
And good neigh to the horse in Silly Tilly.
Time To Say Goodnight to Corduroy, Miss Mary Mack, and Maisy,
Goodnight Moon, Noisy Nora, Olivia, and Titch and Daisy.
Good-night Owl and Good Night Gorilla in the Firehouse,
Sweet dreams to the teeny weeny Busy, Busy Mouse.
Hush Little Baby soon the sun will say Hello Day,
That’s the time when your book buddy Millie Wants to Play!
Soon Milton the Early Riser will head Down By the Bay,
Carrying his Umbrella on a Soggy Saturday.
Look up and down Brown Bear, Bear Brown, What Do You See?
Close Your Eyes to find A Rainbow All Around Me.
It’s Time To go to sleep as I sing a Lucky Song,
All the World will wait patiently for you all night long.
Happy Reading Aloud!
Information about the books are provided in “Help Me Get Ready To Read: The Practical Guide For Reading Aloud To Children During Their First Five Years” by Susan Marx and Barbara Kasok. (www.readaloudguide.com)
Website: http://www.readaloudguide.com
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