Unicorn, Go to Bed! A Silly Going-to-Bed Read Aloud Book by Mike Hensel

This charming bedtime story flips the script on the classic nightly struggle, casting a young girl in the role of the patient parent trying to coax her spirited unicorn to sleep. The unicorn employs every classic bedtime-delaying tactic in the book, from requesting a night-light and an open door to asking for lullabies and back tickles, making this fantasy picture book wonderfully relatable for both children and adults. The read-aloud text bounces along with a playful, rhyming rhythm that is perfect for engaging preschoolers during their own wind-down routine. This humorous take on the going-to-bed process transforms a potential power struggle into a shared, giggle-filled experience.

What truly sets this book apart is its gentle role-reversal, allowing young listeners to see the bedtime routine from a caregiver's perspective, which can foster empathy and understanding. The escalating, silly requests from the unicorn are sure to elicit laughter, making it an excellent choice for diffusing any pre-sleep tension and ending the day on a positive, connected note. Parents of strong-willed sleepers or children who love imaginative, funny stories will find this to be a particularly effective addition to their nightly ritual. It’s a magical, lighthearted story that acknowledges the challenges of bedtime while ultimately celebrating the cozy comfort of finally settling down.