When it comes to bedtime, every parent knows the benefit of having a good routine. A nice, warm bath, teeth brushing, tucking in, and then the pinnacle of the evening: The bedtime story. Stories at bedtime don't only create positive memories for your kids, they can help you connect with you child, and send them off to bed with pleasant dreams and a feeling of safety. What's not to love?

Picking a bedtime story, though, isn't as simple as grabbing any old book off the shelf. From the parent's end, you don't want something too long (skip the Lord of the Rings trilogy) or difficult to read (some of those Dr. Seuss books are real tongue-twisters!). And you want a bedtime book that's going to put your kid to sleep, not rile her up. The kids want something interesting and vivid, but not too scary right before bed.

The good news is, with bedtime stories, you don't have to stick as strictly to age ranges as you might at other times. Older kids who normally would roll their eyes at “baby books” will snuggle up for a chapter of a favorite tale, and younger kids who usually couldn't sit still for a more advanced book will be willing to hang in. I prefer reading longer chapter books, a chapter a night. Not only does that provide continuity, it also gets the kids into bed faster as they're eager for the next installment.

Here are five classics that will send you and your kids off to Never-Neverland with only the sweetest of dreams:

The Little House on the Prairie series. Boys and girls alike will fall in love with Laura Ingalls, Mary, baby Carrie, and Ma and Pa, as they travel westward across the territories in the 1800s. There's enough excitement to keep active kids entertained, but the family bond keeps things safe and comfortable. Start with “Little House in the Big Woods” and keep going through the rest of the series.

Paddington. Michael Bond's series about a small bear from Darkest Peru who found his way to London has inspired stuffed animals, a cartoon, and a television show. The curious and accident-prone Paddington gets in scrape after scrape, but somehow always comes out on top. Little ones will fall in love with the talking bear, while older kids (and parents!) will enjoy a more sophisticated take on the goings-on. Start with “A Bear Called Paddington,” and then follow up with any of the sequels.

James and the Giant Peach. Of all Roald Dahl's books (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” and “Matilda,” to name just a few), this one is my favorite for bedtime reading. The combination of the horrible aunts and the magic of the talking insects creates a perfect combination for fantasy.

A Wrinkle in Time. The classic science fiction story of Meg and Charles Wallace Murphy will set the imaginations of your kids on fire. Some of the concepts may be a bit advanced for younger kids, but ages 7 and up will be begging for one more chapter. If your kids love this one, you can follow up with the rest of the series.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Judy Blume's book about Peter Hatcher and his little brother Fudge have sent legions of kids into fits of laughter. Younger kids will love Fudge's antics, and older siblings will completely relate to Peter's struggles. Follow up with a half-dozen related books, written from neighbor Sheila's and little brother Fudge's viewpoints.