As if you didn’t already look forward to bedtime, five new books you’ll want to read — with or without your kids.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, by Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer-Camp
Marcel the Shell (a YouTube phenom with more than 12 million views) tries out life as a children’s picture book protagonist. The dreamlike illustrations and his quirky personality (his dog is a piece of lint) make him one of our favorite kid lit newcomers.

The Listeners/These Train Tracks, by Breathe Owl Breathe
From the band Breathe Owl Breathe comes a children’s book that time forgot. A canvas-covered volume features two stories illustrated by reproductions of woodcut prints that start at each end of the book and meet in the middle, where you’ll find a seven-inch record of both narratives recorded as indie-folk songs.

Birdie’s Big-Girl Dress, by Sujean Rim
DailyCandy’s illustrator emeritus publishes her second children’s book about a precocious little girl who likes to dress up. It’s the perfect bedtime tale for moms and daughters who know their way around a dressing room.

Stuck, by Oliver Jeffers
Little Floyd’s kite gets stuck in a tree, so naturally he throws his shoe up after it. When his shoe gets lodged in the branches too, an unexpected cast of projectiles (a cat, a ladder, a fire engine) follows. Read-out-loud fun at its best.

Eli, No, by Katie Kirk
Try to resist the bold graphic illustrations in Kirk’s debut children’s book. But it’s the toddler tough-love lesson — “No!” doesn’t mean we love you any less — that has us stealing one last snuggle before lights out.

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Making Mittens
What: Learn to stitch a pair of fleece mittens that will keep your snow baby’s hands warm all winter.
Why: It’s a cinch even if you’re no Martha.
When: Book now for Dec. 3.
Where: Birth and Beyond, 2719 E. Madison St. (206-324-4831). Register online at birthandbeyond.com. Cost is $15.

TWINKLE
Garden d’Lights
What: Bellevue Botanical Garden gets blinged in a glittering display inspired by flora and fauna.
Why: Charlotte, the sparkly spider, is back.
When: Sat.-Dec. 31. Daily, 5-10 p.m.
Where: 12001 Main St., Bellevue (425-452-2750). Tickets online at bellevuebotanical.org. Adults and children 11 and up, $5; under 10, free; Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7 & 12-14, free.

WATCH
The Princess and the Pea
What: A young girl gets put to the test to make sure she’s the real deal.
Why: That’s one mighty uncomfortable mattress.
When: Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 1 & 4 p.m.
Where: SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St., Redmond. Tickets at 425-881-6777 or online at boxoffice.printtixusa.com. Adults and children, $10.

Photos: Courtesy of Penguin Young Readers; Courtesy of Little, Brown Books; Courtesy of Abrams Books