TOP TEN CHILDREN’S BEDTIME STORIES

Children today have so many technological ways to communicate and gather information. These activities are basically done on a solo basis, even though they may be communicating with their friends. Can you think of a better way to put your children to sleep then by reading them a bedtime story? This allows for "mommy and/or daddy and me time." The time together is for tucking in and bonding.

Listed below are the top ten books to read before putting your child to sleep.

10. The Boy Who Cried Wolf: This story is about a boy who is watching a flock of sheep. He becomes bored with his job and for fun periodically cries out "wolf". All the town turns out to help him and protect the sheep but only to find that there is no wolf. He does this a few times and it works and he thinks it is a big joke. The only time when he really cried out "wolf" and meant it, nobody came to his rescue because they thought it was another of his jokes. MORAL: There is no believing a liar, even when he speaks the truth. Remember always tell the truth.

11. The Ugly Duckling: This is a story of a homely little bird born in a barnyard who suffers abuse from his surroundings until, much to his delight (and to the surprise of others), he matures into a beautiful swan, the most beautiful bird of all. MORAL: Superiority is determined by nature rather than accomplishment. Love and be grateful for your true self.

12. The Ant and the Grasshopper: This story is one of an industrious ant and a grasshopper who loves to have fun. While the ant is saving for tomorrow, the grasshopper is just out having fun. He is just living for the moment. MORAL: Save money now and you will have it in the future.

13. The Hare and the Tortoise: is the story that concerns a hare who laughs at slow-moving tortoise and is challenged by him to a race. The hare soon leaves the tortoise behind and, confident of winning, decides to take a nap midway through the course. When he awakes, however, he finds that his competitor, crawling slowly but steadily, has arrived before him. MORAL: Don’t brag about your accomplishments.

14. Cinderella: Cinderella is the story of a beautiful girl with the two mean step-sisters, and a wicked step-mother. The beautiful girl marries the handsome prince, and they live happily ever after. MORAL: Treat other people as you wish to be treated.

15. Pinocchio: is a story about an old man who makes a puppet from wood. He names him "Pinocchio" and raises him like a son. Pinocchio must prove that he is a brave and truthful boy in order for him to become human. He does not do the right things and lies all the time. MORAL: Always tell the truth and do not lie.

16. Jack and the Beanstalk: is a story about a boy named Jack who exchanges his cow for five seeds that grow to become a tall beanstalk. When he climbs the beanstalk he finds a kingdom where a mean ogre lives. In the ogre’s house there is a golden harp and a chicken who lays golden eggs. Jack steals both of these and climbs down the beanstalk and cuts it down. He and his mother live comfortably with their new found riches. MORAL: Sometimes good things come with a consequence.

17. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Snow White, is being chased by a jealous queen, hides with the Dwarfs; the queen feeds her a poison apple, but Prince Charming awakens her with a kiss and they live happily ever after. MORAL: Good things come to people who are kind.

18. Three Little Pigs: This is a story about three industrious pigs who are trying to protect themselves from the wolf who is trying to eat them. They outsmart him and do away with him once and for all. MORAL: Don’t give up, if you do not succeed the first time, keep trying.

19. Little Red Riding Hood: This is a story about a little girl who goes to visit her sick Grandmother and along the way meets a wolf who asks a lot of questions about where she is going. Without stopping to think of the danger she might be in, she tells him what her destination is. The wolf beats her to it and goes to her grandmother’s house putting both of them in danger. MORAL: Do not talk to strangers.