Is there anything as magical as a bedtime story?  I remember as a child my parents tucking me in, reading me a story or two, and then setting my little Close and Play to read me a recorded book called Three Horn the Dinosaur.  I think I must have fallen asleep to that story every night for at least a year.  I loved that book...and I loved my Close and Play!

Is it any wonder, to this day, I am an avid fan of the spoken word?  I adore podcasts and audiobooks!  In fact, I make it my mission to listen to the entire Harry Potter canon from the start to finish at least once a year.  So when the good folks over at Sleep Advisor asked me if I would give their post on 16 Bedtime Stories to Inspire Girls a shout out, I was more than happy to oblige.

Quite frankly, seeing one of my all-time favorite children's book on the list, Robert Munsch's The Paperbag Princess, sealed the deal for me.  I've been reading this feminist take on princess-dom to my young charges for over 25 years.  It's a classic, I love doing the dragon's voice, and my Elizabeth sports a British accent, of course.

Reading to our children is so incredibly important, not only for the connection it creates but for the knowledge it can impart.  Many of the books on this list are chock full of thought-provoking ideas that challenge standard perceptions of what we as women can accomplish.  There are not only retellings of fairy tales, but also some intriguing biographical offerings that are sure to inspire.  

With the rush, rush, rush and plug and play society we live in, isn't the idea of taking 15 minutes with your child at the end of the day to connect in this special way worth the effort?  All of these books can be found on Amazon, of course. But I'd like to give you a family challenge - check out your local library.  I am a huge advocate for the library system.  There is so much to see and do at your local library. If you haven't gone lately, this list will give you a great excuse.  Make an outing of it; take a walk, go to the library, have a picnic, visit a park...talk about the perfect Summer activity.

I hope you'll check out this post from Sleep Advisor, and while you are there you can explore some of their other interesting posts.  The site has articles on everything from who gets the most sleep worldwide to nighttime stretches that can help you get a better night's sleep.  If you have trouble sleeping, are interested in sleeping, or want advice on sleeping, this is a great resource.  And remember, bedtime reading with your child is a special way to build memories that will last a lifetime. I mean seriously, if I can remember Three Horn the Dinosaur 50 years after the fact, you know it's got to make an impact.

Oh, and don't let the title of this blog sway you...these stories are equally good for boys as they are for girls.  As my Grammy used to say all stories are important for all ears to hear.