Category Archives: Books

Go-To Stories for your Children’s Bedtime Bliss

Picture this: it’s that cozy time of the day when your little one’s energy starts to wind down, and the soft glow of bedtime is upon you. What do you reach for to make bedtime magic happen? We’re talking about those all-time favorite children’s bedtime storybooks that have been melting hearts and creating sweet dreams for generations.

It’s not just the stories themselves, though; creating the perfect bedtime atmosphere involves more than just words on a page. It’s about snuggling up in comfy pajamas, sharing giggles, and building a soothing routine that sets the stage for a night of restful sleep. These moments are when you and your child can bond, dream, and let imaginations run wild, all while ensuring a peaceful night’s rest. So, join us as we explore these beloved bedtime tales that have become cherished companions in countless homes.

One bedtime classic that’s as timeless as it gets is “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown. This book, born in 1947, has been tucking kids into bed for ages with its soothing rhymes and comforting illustrations. Its secret sauce? Simplicity! The book’s repetitive, gentle words and the act of saying goodnight to everything in the room make it the ultimate bedtime ritual.

Now, let’s hop over to “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. Max, our wild-spirited hero, sets sail to an island inhabited by, well, wild things! The imaginative journey and whimsical illustrations have been capturing young hearts for over 50 years. It’s a bedtime must-read that sparks adventure in kids’ dreams.

If you fancy a chuckle with your nightly read, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!” by Mo Willems is a hoot. Willems’ interactive style lets your little one take charge and tell that sneaky pigeon to hit the hay. The pigeon’s hilarious bedtime antics will have your child giggling, and it’s a relatable read for parents, too.

Speaking of imagination, “Harold and the Purple Crayon” by Crockett Johnson is a real gem. Harold, the young artist, uses his trusty purple crayon to draw his way into marvelous adventures. It’s a story that encourages kids to embrace their creativity and think outside the box—a perfect bedtime tale for budding dreamers.

Adding to this fantastic lineup is “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney. This heartwarming tale of Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare’s expressive declarations of love is sure to tug at your heartstrings.

For a modern classic, check out “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. This clever mouse creates a tall tale about the Gruffalo to outwit potential predators. It’s a witty and heartwarming read, and your kids will love playing along with the story’s fun patterns.

In a world full of screens and busy schedules, these books offer a moment of serenity and togetherness. They create a magical space where you and your little one can bond, dream, and let imaginations run wild. Whether you take the recommendations above or have your own favorites, bedtime stories are the glue that holds generations together. These stories weave unforgettable memories, sprinkle stardust in your child’s dreams, and create a cozy cocoon of love and joy that makes bedtime something everyone looks forward to. So, grab your favorite book, snuggle up, and let the bedtime adventures begin! 🌙💤

10 Classics for Your Fall Reading List

10 Classics for Your Fall Reading List

It’s ‘back-to-school’ season and even if you’re a grown up or sans kiddos, you can still feed your brain by mixing some classics into your fall reading list. Fall is the perfect time to curl up in your pajamas with a good book, so make those moments count with these classic literary reads.

10 Books for Your Fall Reading List

Curl up with a good book in this PJ Salvage Fruit Playful Print Cotton Pajama Set in Navy

Grown-Up Bedtime Stories: Classics to Add to Your Reading List

1. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

If you want a literary classic that is guaranteed to get your blood pumping, look no further than The Count of Monte Cristo. You could technically call this novel the first ‘action movie’ before movies. How’s this for a plot: an innocent man wrongly, but deliberately imprisoned spends his time locked away crafting a brilliant strategy for revenge against all who betrayed him. Should prove to be moderately entertaining!

2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

In the mood for a wistful fall read? Laugh and cry with Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, the literary classic that follows the four March girls in this tale of poverty, womanhood, and growing up. In short: being a woman is complicated and becoming a woman is even more so.

3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

A dash of romance in an over-the-top luxe 1920s setting. The Great Gatsby follows the story of eccentric millionaire Jay Gatsby as told by Nick Carraway, a Midwesterner who lives on Long Island but works in Manhattan. Gatsby’s enormous mansion is adjacent to Carraway’s modest home, and Carraway becomes curious about his neighbor after being invited to one of his famous parties. Romance, intrigue, and violence ensue as Gatsby’s intentions are revealed.

4. 1984 by George Orwell

This novel has seen a revival in popularity in recent years. Orwell’s story, published in 1949, unfolds in “futuristic” 1984 Oceania, the totalitarian superpower in post World War II Europe. In this world, most of the world’s population have become victims of perpetual war, omnipresent government surveillance and propaganda. This book was the catalyst for Big Brother paranoia. A thrilling, engaging, must-read that is as relevant today as it was 1949.

5. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

A dense and truly epic read, Great Expectations is arguably Charles Dickens’ masterpiece. The tale depicts the personal growth and development of an orphan nicknamed Pip. Be warned, Great Expectations is full of extreme imagery — poverty, prison ships and chains, and fights to the death — and has a colorful cast of characters that have endure in our mainstream popular culture. One for the literary bucket list.

10 Literary Classics to Add to Your Reading List

Get comfortable on the couch with this Evergreen Voile Cotton Pajama Set from The Cat’s Pajamas

6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I mean, it’s fall so you have to watch the movie (any of them, really…) but why not actually read the book this season? A ‘modern’ Romeo and Juliet, this Jane Austen classic is a love story for the ages and perfect read for fall.

7. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Already have your Halloween decorations ready to go? For the horror enthusiasts, dive into the classic of classics, Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley in 1818. You know the general plot based on the book’s lasting portrayal in popular culture, but nothing quite compares experiencing the original tale.

8. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

It doesn’t get more nostalgic than New England in the fall and J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye perfectly captures the old school prep-school vibe. Set around the 1950s, the story is narrated by a young man named Holden Caulfield. Holden untangles his past in a foggy, dreamlike narrative, with a startling surprise at the end.

9. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

In case you’re not familiar with the epic takes that inspired the blockbuster movie of the same name and the Lord of The Kings films, J.R.R. Tolkien expertly crafts an entire universe filled with new races, places, and languages. Follow hobbit Bilbo Baggins as he leaves his quiet life to help a group of dwarves take back the Mountain from a dragon. Adventure awaits.

10. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Ok, so this may not fit your traditional idea of “classic literature,” but this ‘80s comedy science fiction trilogy was an adaptation of Adams’ radio series by the same name. The novel is a fictional guide book for hitchhikers galavanting around the universe with an alien, written in the form of an encyclopedia. A laugh-out-loud funny read that will awaken your childlike curiosity.

For more reading lists, movie recommendations, and fall recipes, visit our blog at thepajamacompany.com/blog.

Fall Pajama Sets

Best Winter Reading List for Pajamas

The Ultimate Winter Reading List

After this week’s Nor’easter on the East Coast, we feel like curling up in our flannel pajamas with a good book this weekend. A hot cup of coffee and great novel is the best way to recover after a yucky week of snow, sleet, ice, and slush. The winter months are ideal for nostalgic novels, a splash of history, dark thrillers, and deeply twisted plots. Grab your fuzzy slippers and park yourself on the couch with one of these winter favorites.

Winter Reading List

Get comfortable with pajama pants and a good book this weekend.

Top 10 Books to Read in Your Pajamas this Winter Continue reading

Fall Reading List, Best Autumn Novels to Read in Your Pajamas

Fall Reading List: Curl Up in your PJs with These Wistful Novels

The crisp fall weather inspires us to put on our warmest pajamas, curl up on the couch, and snuggle up with a soft blanket and a good book. Here we have listed our favorite fall reads across all genres. But what exactly constitutes a ‘fall read’?

When autumn sets in, the days get shorter and colder, making many people miss the carefree sun-filled days of summer. ‘Wistful’ is a word that is often used to describe books that give us a feeling of slight melancholy, usually brought on by nostalgia. Fall reminds us of childhood, school years, and signals that the holidays are just around the corner. Not all novels that remind us of fall take place in autumn. ‘Fall,’ in a feeling, is a mood that defines each of these moody classics.

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Get Cozy: 4 Books to Stay in & Read

GET COZY

The colder winter temps have sure set in, and as they say, “baby it’s cold outside!” We recommend staying in and getting cozy this weekend. Throw something easy in the crockpot or order a pizza. Think hot chocolate, flannel PJs, and your most favorite warm blanket. Add a Netflix marathon or one of these great reads and you are set…

1. The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

This is a totally entertaining and sweet love story loosely based on Prince William and Princess Kate, written by two bloggers. Think an American Bridget Jones-type falls for the prince. A fun and addicting novel.

2. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

If you’ve never read this classic, it is a must. It’s easy to see why it’s been called “one of the most influential novels of the 20th century”. Get your coffee ready: it’s a haunting, suspenseful, gothic romance – and it’s a page turner. So good!

3. We Are Water by Wally Lamb

From USA Today: “It’s a sign of a good novel when the reader slowly savors the final chapters, both eager to discover the ending and dreading saying goodbye to the characters. We Are Water is a book worth diving into.” Based on Wally Lamb’s track record, this story about a Connecticut family’s secrets and how they play out in the present day is sure to be a pajamas-all-day kind of read.

4. Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart

From the Associated Press: “Well-written with sharply drawn characters and the occasional plot twist, Girl Waits With Gun is an absorbing throwback to a bygone era. It’s a solid book, and Stewart’s helpful notes allow readers to appreciate just how much of the tale is true.” On our list for sure! (And, you can snag it for $3.99 on a Kindle deal right now.)

Happy reading, friends!

All images via Amazon

7 Book Lists for Lazy Summer Reading

Book, books, books!

Summer is coming and that means it’s time for lounging on the beach, hanging in the hammock, and just plain ‘ole lazy time in the fresh air and sun. (Hello…Pajama Days!)

But, to thoroughly enjoy these days of laze, you MUST to have a good book or two by your side. So we’re helping you get a jump start.  Here are 7 great book lists we’ve rounded up to help you find some fantastic reads:

1. NPR’s Best Books of 2014. This is quite the long list, but the cool app function let’s you sort through by category! This list always has really good recommendations.

2. Amazon’s 100 Mysteries & Thrillers to Read in a Lifetime. This one will keep you keep you up all night with everything from Gorky Park to Encyclopedia Brown to Agatha Christie.

3. 7 Un-put-down-able Books from Modern Mrs. Darcy. Because who doesn’t loooove being sucked in by a story you can’t stop reading?!  Oh, and don’t miss the comments section for even more page-turner recommendations!

4. The Huffington Post’s 24 Books We Can’t Wait to Read in 2015. New releases including books from Toni Morrison and Anne Tyler.

5. The Cozy Mystery Monthly Book List. They had us at cozy!  Mystery book recommendations dubbed cozy because, as the list author shares, they mostly “take place in a small, picturesque town or village, with characters who I could envision having as neighbors or friends.”  Not a lot of blood and guts, which is fine by us!

6. 25 Travel Books Everyone Should Read from Babble. The very best travel novels, memoirs, and biographies. You won’t have to go very far to spend your summer in a far off land…

7. The Best Beach Reads for a Summer Getaway from PopSugar.  A pretty diverse list.  We’re checking out The Chaperone and Summerland.

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Spring Reading List

“There’s so much more to a book than just the reading.”

-Maurice Sendak

We believe that curling up with a good book, a cup of coffee, and a cozy blanket is one of life’s simple pleasures. If you need a good book recommendation while you’re relaxing in the hammock or enjoying a rainy day, we’ve got you covered…

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Alice Howland, a Harvard professor is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers disease at 50 years old. As her disease progresses, she learns that who she is as a person is much more than her academic accomplishments. This book has gotten a lot of attention since it was made into a movie: the movie is really good but the book is better.

The Language of Flowers by  Vanessa Diffenbaugh

A beautiful story about a young homeless girl who discovers her gift for flowers, and uses it to touch other’s lives. The best part about this story? The transformation of the main character…

A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber

This heart-warming book takes place in  the backdrop of a Seattle knitting shop. As several women gather and knit together, they become friends and share their real life stories –  which have happy endings. 🙂

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zavin

A sweet story of the quirky and cranky owner of a bookstore whose life is transformed when a baby is abondoned in his shop. This is a feel-good story, light read perfect for spring!

The Caller by Karin Fossum

The Caller is a dark Norweigan crime thriller – part of the Inspector Sejer series – which includes “The Indian Bride” and “Black Seconds”. What starts as a few cruel neighborhood pranks in a small town, ends with an unexpected twist.

Expecting Adam by Martha Beck

When two Harvard trained academic types learn that their unborn baby has Down syndrome it’s the catalyst for many changes in their lives. This true life story from the wise and funny Martha Beck is nothing less than magical and inspring.

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Fall Pajama Reading List

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”

-Groucho Marx

I don’t know about you, but falling leaves, golden light, and cooler temps just make me want to curl up with a cup of tea and get lost in a great book!  Here are the books making the top of our fall reading list…

First, here’s a book recommendation, from Ellie, our very own President and Founder:

Phantom Instinct by Meg Gardiner

There is nothing better than starting a book you simply cannot put down. My favorite writer extraordinaire of thrillers is my friend Meg Gardiner. Her latest book, out this past summer, “Phantom Instinct” appeared on the “Best Books of Summer” for O Magazine. The Associated Press said this about “Phantom Instinct”:

“’Phantom Instinct’ is simply a fantastic story, told at breakneck speed. Gardiner is one of the best thriller writers around, and this is arguably her best work yet. ‘Phantom Instinct’ is full of action and surprises and a few new twists… Gardiner’s latest stand-alone is one of this summer’s best reads.” Associated Press

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Initially I was intimidated by the 775 page count and somewhat mixed reviews, by I really loved this book.  I was pulled in by Theo the main character and found the plot very intriguing, from the tragic death of his mother through an unusual journey of relationships, trauma, guilt, and crime – all with the Goldfinch interwoven.

Sister by Rosamund Lupton

When her pregnant sister Tess goes missing and eventually found dead, Bee does everything she can to get to the bottom of what really happened to her sister.  A page-turning thriller!

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

Set in Australia, this was a great story about three women who’s lives intersect in an unexpected way – with a secret that changes them all. This is a puzzle of a story and I found it interesting and suspenseful. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

Magic Hour by Kristen Hannah

This is a  heartwarming and surprising tale of a young, feral girl who is found abandoned in a tree in the town of Rain Valley, in the Pacific Northwest, and the psychiatrist to cares for her.  A good story!

What’s on your reading list this fall?  Tell us in the comments below…

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Bedtime Stories

 

by Becky Boyd, The Pajama Company Editor

Reading books before bed can be one of the best habits. It’s a great way to wind down from the day for kids and adults alike. Kids love to climb into their pajamas and snuggle in for a bedtime story!

Once you start the habit, they’ll look forward to it each night and it’ll become a great routine. Not only is it great bonding time but it’s also known to boost brain development in kids too.

Here are some of our favorite kid’s books:

It’s Too Soon by Nigel McMullen

It’s too soon for bedtime! After all, Anna hasn’t taken a bath, or brushed her teeth, or listened to a bedtime story. Good thing Anna knows just what she needs to do to get ready for bed.

Bear Snores On

Tuck kids of all ages into bed with this charming tale. Some animals stop by the bear cave to warm up, but even after tea is brewed and corn is popped, the bear snores on! What will Bear do when he wakes up to find his cave full of uninvited guests having a party without him? Karma Wilson’s lyrical text and Jane Chapman’s warm illustrations make Bear Snores On a perfect read-aloud to be enjoyed over and over again. (A children’s Book-of-the-month club featured selection.)

Corduroy by Don Freeman

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Pajama Time by Sandra Boynton

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams & William Nicholson

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs  by Judi & Ronald Barrett

What were your favorite bedtime stories? What do your kids love to read? Share with us below!

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