5 Quick Picture Books for a Speedy Bedtime

Journey, by Aaron Becker
I must admit, this book could go either way, and make for either a very quick or a very loooong evening. Journey is a story without a single word; instead it’s filled with gorgeous and imagination-inspiring illustrations. A bored girl with a red crayon creates her own adventures: a hot air balloon, a magic carpet, a castle surrounded by a moat… Now this template could lead to a very quick tale, or a long meandering epic, depending on who is in the driver’s seat (reader’s seat?). But it’s guaranteed that no two bedtime stories will be the same, which is a fun idea in itself, and totally worth the risk!

The Book With No Pictures, by B.J. Novak
From a book with no words, to a book with no pictures. Anyone who knows B.J. Novak from the hilariously dry show The Office may be surprised to see he has also written a #1 New York Times bestselling children’s book, but this jack-of-all-trades is on top of his game in every field, and his children’s book is a delight. A picture book with no pictures seems like it would be a tough sell to any kid, but this one will have you, innocent reader, saying words like “BLORK”, “BLuuRF”, and “Blaggity-BLaGGITY”, which will have your kids giggling all the way to dreamland. The only problem is, they’ll probably ask you to read it again, and you’ll very probably want to.

Sam & Dave Dig a Hole, by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
On first look, this 2015 Caldecott Honor Book has a lot of thoughtfully-arranged white space—and for those of us looking for a quick read, that’s a good sign. Full-page illustrations and simple concise text make Sam & Dave Dig a Hole a fun, snappy bedtime story. “On Monday Sam and Dave dug a hole…” They’re not sure when to stop digging, or where exactly they’re going to end up, but luckily for you, it won’t take you until Tuesday morning to find out what happens next.

Kitten’s First Full Moon, by Kevin Henkes
Who doesn’t love adorable kitten illustrations? (Particularly when these gorgeous black and white drawings take up 75% of this book’s real estate.) This sweet and timeless tale tells the story of a little kitty who sees her first full moon, and mistakes it for a “little bowl of milk in the sky.” Like most hungry and curious kittens, she’s determined to get her paws on this milk, so she takes off, chasing the moon “through the garden, past the field, and by the pond.” She goes very far from home, only to discover that there is a bowl of milk waiting for her on her very own front porch, which is a true and feel-good ending sure to inspire sweet dreams. And a bonus, for parents who are trying to get their kids to dreamland quickly.

The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep, by Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin and Irina Maununen
This book about Roger the Rabbit was a media sensation, fueled by the Swedish author/baby whisperer’s claims that he can guarantee it will put your child (and even you) to sleep immediately. Do not operate heavy machinery while reading this book! It may not be the shortest picture book on the shelf, but for parents who are hankering to get their kids some extra zzz’s, it is worth a try, especially if it’s the only book you end up reading (and possibly not even finishing) before bed. Roger the rabbit really wants to fall sleep, but he can’t, because he’s thinking of everything else he could be doing instead. (Unfortunately, this is not something that goes away as an adult!) But as Roger falls asleep, hopefully your little one will too, perhaps even before the last page.
What short and sweet bedtime books do you love?