Countless studies show that reading to your children from birth is essential to creating a love of reading. But what do children want to hear? And, equally important, what will parents want to read to their children, over and over again?<\/p>\n
Why not try books that rhyme? Young children love to play and rhyming is just that: Wordplay. The more kids love words, the more they\u2019ll want to read. So before it\u2019s too late, not a moment too soon, start reading aloud, your child will swoon!<\/p>\n
no no 9780744098327 The Book of Nursery Rhymes<\/i> by Debi Gliori <\/p>\n
If you want to read a book with excellent rhyme and meter, then nursery rhymes are the perfect place to start. This volume contains 50 classic nursery rhymes, from Little Bo-Peep to Humpty Dumpty. Even the tiniest readers love these time-tested favorites! <\/p>\n
9780763631413 Here\u2019s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/194979\/heres-a-little-poem-by-jane-yolen\/ collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters, illustrated by Polly Dunbar <\/p>\n
It\u2019s never too early to read poems to your children, and this collection is the perfect place to start. Jane Yolen has chosen poems by such luminaries as Margaret Wise Brown, Gertrude Stein, Langston Hughes, and A. A. Milne that highlight the moments of a toddler\u2019s world from dawn to dusk. <\/p>\n
9780593644638 Duck Duck Taco Truck<\/i> by Laura Lavoie, illustrated by Teresa Mart\u00ednez <\/p>\n
Two food trucks operated by sworn rivals \u2014 ducks and geese \u2014 compete for customers at the beach. But when one gets overwhelmed, the rivals devise a solution that helps everyone. This funny, rockling story boasts delightful, rhyming prose that will keep young readers engaged to the last page.<\/p>\n
9780142403877 The Gruffalo<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/288946\/the-gruffalo-by-julia-donaldson\/ by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler <\/p>\n
Wouldn\u2019t you like to know about the brave little mouse and his friendly Gruffalo? That\u2019s the creature Mouse invented to protect him from baddies in the deep, dark wood. Children will love both characters and their irresistible rhymes. <\/p>\n
9780593119044 Sleep, Little Dozer<\/i> by Diana Murray, illustrated by Cleonique Hilsaca <\/p>\n
This comforting story and its gentle rhyme is the perfect way to wind down at the end of the day. Children will enjoy following Little Dozer as he bathes, gets in bed, and counts jeeps to fall asleep. This sweet story makes the perfect addition to any child\u2019s bedtime stack.<\/p>\n
9780670059836 Llama Llama Red Pajama<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/294110\/llama-llama-red-pajama-by-anna-dewdney-illustrated-by-anna-dewdney\/9780670059836 by Anna Dewdney <\/p>\n
It\u2019s bedtime, but Baby Llama refuses to go to sleep. Readers will revel in the rhymes of this raucous tale about the all-too-familiar bedtime battles between parents and young children.<\/p>\n
9780823453665 I Would Love You Still<\/i> by Adrea Theodore, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max <\/p>\n
As they wander around a zoo, a parent expresses their love for their child. Through lyrical rhyme, the parent shares that no matter what their child looks or acts like, their love extends to all their wild and untamed parts.<\/p>\n
9780140564396 Madeline<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/300847\/madeline-by-ludwig-bemelmans\/ by Ludwig Bemelmans <\/p>\n
A beloved classic for eighty years, Madeline<\/i> owes much of its charm to the carefully crafted, sophisticated cadence of author Ludwig Bemelmans. Parents and grandparents will love revisiting this childhood favorite set in the City of Lights. <\/p>\n
9780823452057 Hello, Sun<\/i> by Julie Downing <\/p>\n
Spare text, stunning illustrations, and bouncy rhyme make this picture book a must-read. Readers follow a series of animals as the sun rises and makes its way across the sky before sinking below the horizon at the end of the day. Children will love reading this sweet story before bedtime.<\/p>\n
9780670287055 Each Peach Pear Plum<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/293553\/each-peach-pear-plum-by-allan-ahlberg\/ by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg <\/p>\n
A rhyming staple for every household, Each Peach Pear Plum<\/i> features familiar fairytale characters and an \u201cI Spy\u201d component that readers can interact with more deeply as they age. Don\u2019t be surprised if your children memorize this one! <\/p>\n
9780593529201 I Am La Chiva!: The Colorful Bus of the Andes<\/i> by Karol Hern\u00e1ndez, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez G\u00f3mez <\/p>\n
Take an exciting and colorful trip through the Andes aboard a vibrant bus in this rhyming picture book. Readers will experience Colombia\u2019s rich culture and beautiful landscape as they progress through the pages.<\/p>\n
9780593406380 The Book That Almost Rhymed<\/i> by Omar Abed, illustrated by Hatem Aly <\/p>\n
Okay, so this book doesn\u2019t rhyme, but it almost does. Because of its brilliant metering, readers expect the story to rhyme, only to be surprised and delighted when it doesn\u2019t. The results are hilarious and fun. It will quickly become a storytime favorite!<\/p>\n
9781536206739 Giggly Wiggly: Playtime Rhymes<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/604875\/giggly-wiggly-playtime-rhymes-by-michael-rosen\/9781536206739\/ by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Chris Riddell <\/p>\n
When it\u2019s time to play, try out Giggly Wiggly<\/i>, a collection of joyful, silly rhymes for the youngest of readers. They\u2019ll love the book\u2019s lighthearted characters, and you\u2019ll love your child\u2019s energetic attention to language. <\/p>\n
9780679882831 There\u2019s a Wocket in My Pocket! Dr. Seuss\u2019s Book of Ridiculous Rhymes<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/234444\/theres-a-wocket-in-my-pocket-by-dr-seuss\/ by Dr. Seuss <\/p>\n
No list of rhyming books would be complete without the work of the master, Dr. Seuss. In There\u2019s a Wocket in My Pocket!<\/i> a young boy explores his house and discovers a surprising cast of characters that could only be described as Seussian! Filled with wordplay and his trademark illustrations, There\u2019s a Wocket<\/i> is an essential introduction to the wonderful, wacky world of Dr. Seuss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2025.<\/small><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Young children love to play and rhyming is just that: wordplay. So before it\u2019s too late, not a moment too soon, start reading aloud, your child will swoon!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":113982,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[60,293,301,336,954],"coauthors":[39],"class_list":["post-1424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-humor","tag-rhyming","tag-read-aloud","tag-poems","tag-educators","ages_stages-pre-k"],"yoast_head":"\nYou might also like:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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