Collin's Bedtime Book Variety
I used to try to initiate Collin's bedtime routine at 8:00 pm. I was generally successful at this up until the time I started working full-time, again. Now, I'm lucky to get Collin in bed before 10:30 pm.
Our routine consists of applying Collin's diaper and jammies, then sitting down in the rocking chair, for a story. After story time we pray, sing "Jesus Love's Me" and then I tuck Collin in with "Bunden," the bunny, and "Kitty." Before I leave the room, I turn on his turtle night light, that shines stars on the ceiling, and press play for the dramatized New Testament on the CD player.
On night's that we start our journey towards slumber before I've lost my ability to keep my eyes open, I like to read Collin a story book and a Bible story.
Collin's bookshelf is over flowing with a variety of books. We have Dr. Suess, Disney, several Bible story books, baby books, books waiting for when he gets a little older, and so on.
Recently, I've noticed I've gravitated towards books for Collin based loosely on 3 general criteria: Does it rhyme well? Is it short? and Do the illustrations seem happy?
So far, as far as story books go, my favorite is "The Little Blue Truck." It's got fantastic rhyme and rhythm that almost make you want to snap along. The illustrations are cheery and light hearted. And it's all of 28 pages long. This book fits the ticket 100%. Not to mention is a great story teaching a lesson about how being rude doesn't pay off and how much nicer life is when you're friendly.
"Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site" is another book I love reading to Collin. Again, it's rhyme and rhythm bring joy to my soul. The illustrations are beautiful, detailed colored pencil drawings. The story is written in sections, saying "goodnight" to 5 different construction trucks. So, on nights that we get to bedtime particularly late, and I can only eek out a few pages, I read "goodnight" to one truck.
On night's that need a quick Bible story I reach for "The Story for Little Ones" or "Lulla Bible." "The Story for Little Ones" is never more than about 20 lines in length, the pictures are vibrant and colorful and the lesson is summed up in one line at the end. It doesn't rhyme, but most Bible stories don't.
"Lulla Bible," being my other, short night read is fantastic because it's 3-4 pages per "chapter." The first page has a Bible verse and a pretty water color. The Second page is a Bible story summed up, written as a poem. Obviously, I'm drawn to the rhyming. Page 3 is a prayer for your child based on the story and about 50% of the "chapters" end with a music sheet of a traditional hymn that compliments the story.
For night's that I'm not so weary, the Bible story books we have are "The Jesus Storybook Bible" and "Wild and Wacky, Totally True Bible Stories." Neither book have rhyme. It's ok. They both have fun, vivid pictures. Though I do find some of the pictures in "The Jesus Storybook Bible" a little frightening. I tend to be slightly sensitive, though. (But, seriously, if you have the book, look at the story "Washed with Tears" starting on page 280. Those "important friends" are creepy looking!) When I read from the "Wild and Wacky" book, I read in a silly voice because the stories are narrated by a zany character named "Mr. Henry."
You may be thinking to yourself, "This kid sure does have a lot of Bible story books." And you would be right. Because this kid has a mom that has a hard time with repetition. We read have read through all 4 books several times over the course of 3 1/2 years. I am always looking for another Bible story book that teaches my kiddo about Jesus in a different way. We both get the benefit of seeing different pictures and hearing stories in different ways. You never know in which way your baby will fully grasp a subject. It may just be by hearing the same story told in a different arrangement of words!
Goodnight!
Our routine consists of applying Collin's diaper and jammies, then sitting down in the rocking chair, for a story. After story time we pray, sing "Jesus Love's Me" and then I tuck Collin in with "Bunden," the bunny, and "Kitty." Before I leave the room, I turn on his turtle night light, that shines stars on the ceiling, and press play for the dramatized New Testament on the CD player.
On night's that we start our journey towards slumber before I've lost my ability to keep my eyes open, I like to read Collin a story book and a Bible story.
Collin's bookshelf is over flowing with a variety of books. We have Dr. Suess, Disney, several Bible story books, baby books, books waiting for when he gets a little older, and so on.
Recently, I've noticed I've gravitated towards books for Collin based loosely on 3 general criteria: Does it rhyme well? Is it short? and Do the illustrations seem happy?
So far, as far as story books go, my favorite is "The Little Blue Truck." It's got fantastic rhyme and rhythm that almost make you want to snap along. The illustrations are cheery and light hearted. And it's all of 28 pages long. This book fits the ticket 100%. Not to mention is a great story teaching a lesson about how being rude doesn't pay off and how much nicer life is when you're friendly.
"Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site" is another book I love reading to Collin. Again, it's rhyme and rhythm bring joy to my soul. The illustrations are beautiful, detailed colored pencil drawings. The story is written in sections, saying "goodnight" to 5 different construction trucks. So, on nights that we get to bedtime particularly late, and I can only eek out a few pages, I read "goodnight" to one truck.
On night's that need a quick Bible story I reach for "The Story for Little Ones" or "Lulla Bible." "The Story for Little Ones" is never more than about 20 lines in length, the pictures are vibrant and colorful and the lesson is summed up in one line at the end. It doesn't rhyme, but most Bible stories don't.
"Lulla Bible," being my other, short night read is fantastic because it's 3-4 pages per "chapter." The first page has a Bible verse and a pretty water color. The Second page is a Bible story summed up, written as a poem. Obviously, I'm drawn to the rhyming. Page 3 is a prayer for your child based on the story and about 50% of the "chapters" end with a music sheet of a traditional hymn that compliments the story.
For night's that I'm not so weary, the Bible story books we have are "The Jesus Storybook Bible" and "Wild and Wacky, Totally True Bible Stories." Neither book have rhyme. It's ok. They both have fun, vivid pictures. Though I do find some of the pictures in "The Jesus Storybook Bible" a little frightening. I tend to be slightly sensitive, though. (But, seriously, if you have the book, look at the story "Washed with Tears" starting on page 280. Those "important friends" are creepy looking!) When I read from the "Wild and Wacky" book, I read in a silly voice because the stories are narrated by a zany character named "Mr. Henry."
You may be thinking to yourself, "This kid sure does have a lot of Bible story books." And you would be right. Because this kid has a mom that has a hard time with repetition. We read have read through all 4 books several times over the course of 3 1/2 years. I am always looking for another Bible story book that teaches my kiddo about Jesus in a different way. We both get the benefit of seeing different pictures and hearing stories in different ways. You never know in which way your baby will fully grasp a subject. It may just be by hearing the same story told in a different arrangement of words!
Goodnight!