Nightlights: Stories for You to Read to Your Child - To Encourage Calm, Confidence and Creativity

We purchased this as a sequel to “Buddha at bedtime.” This isn’t really comparable to Buddha at Bedtime. This book doesn’t tell stories, it’s basically a guided meditation for adults to share with children. Regardless of the difference, my kids love it. But, as a parent, I have some qualms. I worry that the guided meditations may “put some ideas” in my kids heads. For example, each meditation starts with “pick up your magic lantern and walk down the enchanted path...” and then it usually takes the child on a walk to a strange place and meeting a friendly stranger and going on an adventure with them. It may seem innocent but I worry for very small little ones (im referring to 3-5 year olds, becuse anyone under 3 can’t comprehend the concept of meditation nor long stories) it may give them the idea that it’s okay to put complete and total trust in a stranger and walk off with them. I do love this book, but I do edit the stories as needed and I constantly reinforce that these stories are pretend and in reality we of course can’t walk around and go off with strangers. I’ve decided to shelf it until I feel more comfortable with using these as guided meditations for my young kids (6,3,1).

Wow - do my kids enjoy these books. We've ordered and now read 5 from the series. They love trying to guess the "moral" or "lesson" from the story and I like the nice use of more advanced vocabulary words with context clues that let my kids guess the meaning of the advanced word when I stop reading and ask them. They are 9 and 11, so when the book suggests ages 4 to 8 they are missing the upper level appeal. The stories are short and we like to read two per night. As with all these in the series they "teach" some great lessons that all kids should learn. We've found ourselves mentioning one of the stories the next day as something about that concept pops up. Great snuggle-time reading.

AMAZING book for kids of all ages. My preschoolers have been learning beginner's relaxation techniques at school including deep breathing and using "calming jars" to look at. This book ties in nicely to help kids expand on their relaxation techniques including awareness, breathing, and using your imagination to take you to relaxing places. My 3 1/2 year olds love the variety of short stories, and I could see them enjoying this up to age 10 or so. We really look forward to selecting one of the many stories each evening, and reading them together helps to get everyone relaxed, calmed, and in tune with their thoughts. I'm ordering a few more copies for friends' birthdays.

This book is really unique and special. I think it is worthy of five stars because my daughter seems to relax with its technique and enjoy being included in the stories. As someone who enjoys books, I think it's a must have for a library. I have not seen another book quite like it. The book allows your child to participate in the stories and imagine themselves in parts of the fable. There are some suggested stretching exercises prior to story telling that my daughter truly loves. What a fun, unique edition to any personal library!

This is one of the most amazing bedtime story books I have ever read to my children. The meditational exercises are very effective and they are almost always asleep by the time I am finished with the story. I've had to improvise a little to personalize it and/or change some of the wording but overall the stories are magical. My children are 11, 10, 8, and 6 and they all love bedtime. I hope another book is in the works, otherwise we will just have to start all over. :)

This book is special. To give both children and adults permission to slow themselves physically,and then engage in creative imaginIngs ... even infants, for the shorter moments of ritualized words and the sound of familiar voices ... These stories can be read as they are, or go anywhere the readers dream.I am going to buy this book for the little people who come into my life, but also for my adult friends.

I absolutely adore this book! My 7 year old son and I always read before bed, and I love being able to share these unique and lesson-teaching tales. The beautiful wording in these stories reminds me of a guided meditation class and really paints beautiful imagery. I love the affirmations at the end of each story, which always leaves a really positive note for you to take away. Definitely recommend!

I read to my 3 grandsons (9, 8, 6) almost every night. I love the stories, as they do, and they have begun to restate the moral or lesson in the story before I reach the end. I love this book.

I am a big fan of the late Professor David Fontana who wrote the introduction. I have bought 2 copies of this book which he endorsed to help my grandchildren get into the habit of going to sleep with confidence. Lovely illustrations, nice stories and good techniques to help overcome anxiety.

Mediocre overall.The stories are sweet, but often rather obvious or clunky. My boy found them generally rather boring and brief.The 'magic lantern' premise for each story feels contrived, and gets very tedious after several repetitions.And the illustrations are quite ugly and kitsch.Disappointing.

This is a really lovely book but wasn't very good for my 3 year old.The book has little stories that ask your child to imagine being in different places & scenarios. My son has the concentration span of a potato at the moment but I'm sure in about a year he would really enjoy it!

Lovely, calming stories. I thought they were very relaxing and imaginative. However, my daughter liked them for just a couple of nights before getting bored. She prefers a story with more 'going on'. These stories would be good if they were made into longer, imaginative stories with a start. middle and end... perhaps?

Beautiful book. Really love the hidden messages in the stories. My son is 7 and it is perfect for him to also read himself.Would reccomend this enormously if your child enjoys stories and needs help working out feelings, calming down etc