Introduction
Poetry and rhyming books have a long history in children's literature, both in teaching formally and informally. Rhyming helps pre-readers and emerging readers develop phonemic awareness, as they listen for similar sounds. Plus, reading, saying, and making rhymes is a lot of fun!
Classic Rhyming Books
Madeline
Madeline, smallest and naughtiest of the twelve little charges of Miss Clavel, wakes up one night with an attack of appendicitis.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Simms Tabak brings his inventive die-cut artwork to this rollicking, eye-popping version of the well-loved poem.
The Random House Book of Mother Goose
Arnold Lobel has illustrated 306 Mother Goose rhymes in this collection, creating a colorful and lively collection.
Hop on Pop
Dr. Seuss's wonderfully witty wordplay with this classic rhyming picture book, known as "the simplest Seuss for youngest use." "HOP POP We like to hop. We like to hop on top of Pop."
Newer Rhyming Books
Llama Llama Feelings
Join Llama Llama in this story told in rhyme, as he gets ready for bed and experiences the universal highs and lows that all kids get at bedtime.
Good Night, Little Blue Truck
Beep! Beep! Beep! Rhyming and onomatopoeia abound in this tale about a truck and his animal friends seeking safety from a storm.
Giraffes Can't Dance
With light-footed rhymes and colorful illustrations, this tale follows Gerald the Giraffe as he follows his dream to be a dancer.
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest so they'll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play.
Poetry Books
Tap Dancing on the Roof
A sijo, a traditional Korean verse form, has a fixed number of stressed syllables and a humorous or ironic twist at the end. The verses in this book feature the everyday--breakfast, thunder and lightning, houseplants, tennis, freshly laundered socks.
Forget-Me-Nots
When you learn a poem by heart, it becomes a part of you. Forget-Me-Nots includes more than 120 works from both classic and contemporary poets, from childhood favorites to lesser-known treasures.
Poetry Comics
Combining poetry and comics in a whole new way, this fun and imaginative book is perfect for poetry lovers and reluctant readers alike.
Zilot and Other Important Rhymes
Emmy Award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer, comedian, and actor Bob Odenkirk and his daughter, illustrator Erin Odenkirk, present poetic nonsense for all ages perfect for fans of Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky!