Best bedtime books for toddlers? The Goodnight Train uses soothing rhythm and dreamy art to make winding down feel magical.
Disclaimer: At Wonderly Made, we are committed to providing honest and unbiased product reviews to help parents make informed decisions. Wonderly Made is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This means that when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
Let me take you back to 2021, when my son wasn’t even two yet and bedtime was still a bit of a rollercoaster.
One night, I introduced him to “The Goodnight Train” by June Sobel and let me tell you, it was love at first choo choo. From that moment on, it became our nightly go-to. I was reading it so often I could probably recite it in my sleep (and honestly, I probably did a few times).
This book isn’t just a story, it’s a magical, musical ride to dreamland. The rhyming cadence flows like a lullaby, the train sounds add playful energy, and the illustrations by Laura Huliska-Beith are absolutely stunning. And I mean, really stunning – filled with whimsical details you won’t catch the first time. Like a squirrel snacking from a fridge in a tree or a sheep knitting a blanket from another sheep’s wool (I still chuckle every time). It’s clever, fun, and has that perfect bedtime rhythm that makes winding down feel like an adventure.
Because my son adored it so much (he’d light up the second I said “choo choo!”), I started collecting more of June Sobel’s books and I’m so glad I did. She has a whole “Goodnight Train” collection that covers holidays like Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and Valentine’s Day, plus a few sequels like The Goodnight Train Rolls On. Every single one is just as charming and soothing as the original. This whole series is a must-have for toddlers, especially those obsessed with trains, bedtime routines, or snuggly storytelling moments.
If you’re looking for a gift that parents will thank you for or just want to make bedtime a little more magical, The Goodnight Train is your ticket. Hop on and don’t be surprised if you end up loving the ride just as much as your kid does.
