Mary Louise Parker on her Bedtime Ritual

Mary Louise Parker, mom to William, 3, and Ash, whom she adopted in 2007, revealed to Family Circle magazine that her favorite thing to do before bed is not unwinding in the bath or relaxing in front of the TV. The “Weeds” actress says her ideal nightly ritual is reading before bed. She said that spending a few moments with a book is, “the number-one activity I do with my children and have done since they were infants.” Her passion for reading to and with her kids is not only a nightly habit but also a family favorite. “We always read a lot before bed. Our record is 14 or 15 books. It’s at least five, even if my son’s tired,” she said. “I love to hear the words, ‘One more book, Mom!'”

So what tomes are on Mary’s shelves? She revealed some of her favorites: “I love Cynthia Rylant — she wrote the Mr. Putter and Tabby books and the Henry and Mudge series. Patricia Polacco is a great author: Chicken Sunday, Thunder Cake, and Thank You, Mr. Falker are beautiful stories rich with humanity, and they teach lessons in a non-preachy way. Another favorite, Mama Panya’s Pancakes, about a village in Kenya, is a gentle way to introduce kids to other cultures and to the idea that everyone is not the same type of bunny or kid.”

What are your favorite books to read to and with your kids? Any that you have read lately that you would recommend?