Can't sleep? Then let me tell you a story...

 Once upon a time, in a far away land, a young family lived by the sea. Each night, the beautiful mother would tuck the little boys in to bed. Before they fell asleep she would read them a story. Their favorite part of the day was finally here. "Though it's dark, there are always wolves, there are always spells, there are always beans, or a giant dwells." The boys recited along as their mother read them their bedtime stories. They giggled as she read in her animated voice that was so familiar to them. Soon the book would end and it was time to go to sleep. She would kiss them good night, turn off the lights and let their imaginations drift off into dreams.

I was one of those little boys. Every night I couldn't wait to jump into bed and listen to a story. One night, my mother read the story of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp. It was so mysterious, different and magical. As my mom read the story, I imagined walking on the desert sand and the wishes I would make with the Wonderful Lamp. Even now, I can hear her sweet voice reading this story.

To me, the reading of bedtime stories to your children, is not just about reciting lines from the same book over and over, night after night. Children perceive this as a very special time to snuggle and connect with their parents before going to sleep. In addition, these stories help to instill the love of reading in children. This one-on-one attention etches memories of closeness, nurturing, and security into a child's mind, that will be cherished throughout their life. There maybe some days you do not feel like going through this ritual, but rest assured that your child counts on it as an essential part of the daily routine.

This Halloween, I invite you to join these adorable children on their imaginative journeys with their favorite bedtime stories.