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Bedtime Fantasy Stories for Little Ones Ages 3 - 6

Updated: Oct 24, 2025

Magical bedtime fantasy stories for children ages 3 – 6, perfect for sweet dreams and early imagination.


bedtime fantasy stories for children ages 3–5

For children ages 3 to 6, bedtime stories are more than just a nightly routine — they are the first step into a world of imagination.Fantasy stories filled with talking animals, friendly dragons, or twinkling fairies help young children develop creativity, language, and emotional comfort before drifting off to sleep.


When stories are short, rhythmic, and filled with wonder, they create moments of warmth and connection between parents and little readers — setting the stage for a lifelong love of books.


Bedtime Fantasy Stories for Little Ones Ages 3 - 6


TOP BEDTIME STORIES

Author: Christopher Denise

Recommended for Ages: 3 – 5 years


What is the story all about?

Cole, a young boy who dreams of becoming a knight. When he finally becomes an Assistant Knight to his hero, Sir Percival, Cole eagerly trains to master every knightly skill. But when the feared Underwear Dragon attacks the kingdom, all the real knights flee in terror—leaving only Cole to defend the castle. Using his courage, quick thinking, and everything he’s learned, Cole faces the dragon in an unexpected and funny showdown that proves even the smallest heroes can rise to the occasion.


What will the child learn from the storybook?

  • Bravery

  • Cleverness

  • Friendship

  • Perseverance

  • Kindness

  • Problem-solving

  • Confidence

  • Empathy


Author: Jonathan Stutzman

Recommended for Ages: 3 – 5 years


What is the story all about?

Little Blue Truck and his friend Toad set out on a morning drive and meet a bright yellow school bus filled with eager animal students. Blue dreams of being a school bus, but soon discovers that even a small truck can do something big—like helping a friend who missed the bus get to school on time. Through teamwork, friendship, and kindness, Blue shows that no act of help is too small when done with a big heart.


What will the child learn from the storybook?

  • Friendship

  • Empathy

  • Determination

  • Creativity

  • Perseverance

  • Kindness

  • Problem-solving

  • Self-confidence


Author: Alice Schertle

Recommended for Ages: 3–5 years old


What is the story all about?

Little Blue Truck and his friend Toad meet a bright yellow school bus on their morning ride. Blue admires the bus for helping all the little animals get to school but soon realizes he has his own important job to do—helping a friend who missed the bus. With teamwork, kindness, and determination, Blue proves that even the smallest truck can make a big difference.


What will the child learn from the storybook?

  • Helpfulness

  • Friendship

  • Responsibility

  • Teamwork

  • Confidence

  • Empathy


Author: Drew Daywalt

Recommended for Ages: 3 - 6 years


What is the story all about?

Duncan, a young boy who loves to color, is surprised one day to find that all his crayons have gone on strike. Each crayon has written a letter to complain about how it’s being used—or not used enough. Blue is tired of coloring endless oceans, Red feels overworked from holidays, Black wants to do more than outline, and Orange and Yellow are fighting over who should color the sun. Through these hilarious letters, Duncan learns to see his crayons’ perspectives and finds a creative way to make everyone happy.


What will the child learn from the storybook?

  • Creativity

  • Self-expression

  • Empathy

  • Problem-solving

  • Appreciation of diversity

  • Cooperation

  • Open-mindedness

  • Respect for others’ feelings


Author: Christy Mandin

Recommended for Ages: 3 - 7 years


What is the story all about?

In the dull and colorless town of Garden Glen, where every home and garden looks the same, a peculiar girl named Millie Fleur La Fae moves into a ramshackle house on a hill. She plants a garden filled with bizarre and magical plants—Sneezing Stickyweed, Fanged Fairymoss, and Grumpy Gilliflower. While the townspeople call it poisonous and strange, Millie finds beauty in her creations. Determined to stay true to herself, she seeks out others who can see the charm and magic in her unusual garden. Through her courage and creativity, Millie transforms her corner of the world into a celebration of individuality and imagination.


What will the child learn from the storybook?

  • Self-acceptance

  • Creativity

  • Courage to be different

  • Respect for diversity

  • Confidence

  • Open-mindedness

  • Resilience


Author: Ryan T. Higgins

Recommended for Ages: 3–6 years


What is the story all about?

Penelope Rex, a young dinosaur, is excited to start her first day of school. But there’s one big problem—her classmates are human children, and she can’t resist eating them! After discovering that eating her classmates makes it impossible to make friends, and after getting a surprising bite from the class pet, Penelope learns how it feels to be on the other side. Through funny and relatable moments, the story highlights empathy, self-control, and learning to get along with others.


What will the child learn from the storybook?

  • Empathy

  • Respect for others

  • Self-control

  • Friendship

  • Kindness

  • Understanding others’ feelings

  • Apology and forgiveness


Author: Flavia Z. Drago

Recommended for Ages: 4 - 7 years


What is the story all about?

Leila Wayward, a little witch who is exceptionally talented at everything—flying, spell-casting, and potion-making. Confident and accomplished, she sets her sights on winning the Magnificent Witchy Cake-Off, a prestigious baking competition. However, despite her magical skills, Leila discovers she’s terrible at baking. With the help of her three supportive sisters, she learns that collaboration and enjoyment matter more than perfection. Through her journey, Leila discovers the joy of trying, the warmth of family, and the magic of self-acceptance.


What will the child learn from the storybook?:

  • Perseverance

  • Teamwork

  • Humility

  • Family support

  • Self-acceptance

  • Finding joy in the process, not just the result

  • Resilience

  • Gratitude


Author: Matthew Forsythe

Recommended for Ages: 4–8 years old


What is the story all about?

Aggie, a young girl thrilled to live on her own for the first time, soon discovers her new home has an unexpected resident—a mischievous ghost. Determined to set boundaries, Aggie creates a list of rules to keep the peace, such as “No haunting after dark” and “No stealing socks.” However, the ghost refuses to follow the rules, sparking a playful conflict that leads to an unforgettable game of tic-tac-toe. Through their spirited back-and-forth, Aggie learns about compromise, understanding, and the joy of unexpected friendship.


What will the child learn from the storybook?

  • Cooperation

  • Compromise

  • Respect for others’ differences

  • Fair play

  • Problem-solving

  • Open-mindedness

  • Adaptability

  • Friendship


Author: Drew Daywalt

Recommended for Ages: 3 - 7 years


What is the story all about?

Duncan receives postcards from his lost and forgotten crayons, each sharing their funny and dramatic tales of misfortune—from Maroon Crayon being broken under the sofa to Pea Green feeling unwanted and deciding to run away. Through humor and heart, Duncan sets out to bring his colorful friends back home, realizing that every crayon, no matter its condition or color, deserves a place in his crayon box.


What will the child learn from the storybook?:

  • Empathy

  • Belonging

  • Acceptance

  • Creativity

  • Responsibility

  • Appreciation

  • Inclusiveness


Author: Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton

Recommended for Ages: 3 - 6 years


What is the story all about?

A dragon named Puff who lives in the land of Honalee and shares a deep friendship with a young boy named Jackie Paper. Together, they embark on magical adventures filled with imagination and joy. However, as Jackie grows older, he begins to lose interest in make-believe play, leaving Puff to face loneliness and the passing of childhood wonder. The story tenderly portrays the bittersweet transition from childhood imagination to growing up, celebrating the beauty and innocence of youthful dreams.


What will the child learn from the storybook?

  • Imagination

  • Friendship

  • Loyalty

  • Nostalgia

  • Acceptance of change


Reference

  • All books are referenced from Amazon.

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