Did you know that the ability to rhyme is one of the strongest predictors of early reading success? It’s true! Rhyming is one of seven phonological awareness skills that little ones need to know before they can learn to read. With all of the rhyming and repetition in children’s nursery rhyme books, they are perfect for little ones beginning their literacy journey.

In fact, one of the sessions in my preschool curriculum, Play into Kindergarten Readiness, is dedicated to nursery rhymes! The books below are actually the recommended books for that session.

If you haven’t heard of Play into Kindergarten Readiness before, let me give you the briefest of rundowns. The curriculum includes 28 weeks of daily activities to enjoy with your little one. You cover all fundamental preschool skills—including those seven phonological awareness skills—in 20 minutes of play a day! You can take a peek right here: Play into Kindergarten Readiness

Speaking of phonological awareness, have you downloaded your Free Guide yet? It includes information on all seven of the phonological awareness skills that little ones need before learning to read (like rhyming!). Grab it right here:

Now back to those books! Here are the six books I recommend for the Nursery Rhyme theme in Play into Kindergarten Readiness.

I strongly suggest you get these books from the library if you are able to. I have also included my Amazon affiliate links below, in case you would like to add them to your personal library.

6 of the Best Children’s Nursery Rhyme Books

#1: Mother Goose Treasury: A Beautiful Collection of Favorite Nursery Rhymes

Book Suggestion: Mother Goose Treasury: A Beautiful Collection of Favorite Nursery Rhymes by Parragon Books

Cuddle up on the sofa with this beautiful book, open the pages and take a look. There are lovely pictures and familiar rhymes, to share with your child before sleepy time. A perfect book for reading aloud with your little one right before bed. An absolute treasure that will be enjoyed for years!

#2: Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables

Book Suggestion: Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables by Cottage Door Press

There is always time to read together with this deluxe treasure-trove of five-minute stories, fables, and well-loved fairy tales. There are over 50 easy-to-read stories to enjoy in this enchanting collection—and each one fits perfectly into the beginning, middle, or end of a very busy day!

#3: Hickory Dickory Dock: Sing Along With Me!

Book Suggestion: Hickory Dickory Dock: Sing Along With Me! by Yu-hsuan Huang

Watch the mouse run up and down the clock in this interactive board book based on the beloved children’s song. With five slider mechanisms and a QR code that links to both instrumental and vocal versions of the song, little ones can simply scan the code to listen and sing along.

#4: Lift the Flap: Nursery Rhymes

Book Suggestion: Lift the Flap: Nursery Rhymes by Roger Priddy

Each page features kooky characters in a classic nursery rhyme, and includes a fun flap to lift. Children will love finding the mouse in Hickory Dickory Dock, seeing the cow jump over the moon, and finding out what happens to Jack and Jill in this delightfully charming book.

#5: Each Peach Pear Plum

Book Suggestion: Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan and Janet Ahlberg

Each Peach Pear Plum – the classic picture book by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. Each Peach Pear Plum is a timeless picture book classic from the bestselling illustrator/author team Janet and Allan Ahlberg, creators of Peepo!. Each beautifully illustrated page encourages young children to interact with the picture to find the next fairy tale and nursery rhyme character.

#6: The Jolly Postman

Book Suggestion: The Jolly Postman by Allan and Janet Ahlberg

Another Ahlberg classic and a must-have for every child! This gorgeously illustrated, full-color classic celebrates a time before email by depicting amusing correspondence between fairy tale and Mother Goose characters. What could possibly be in a letter from Goldilocks to the Three Bears? Who would write to the Wicked Witch? Open this book, take out the letters, and discover what favorite characters would write to each other—and reimagine best-loved tales together.

 

There you have it, my friend, six classic children’s nursery rhyme books!

Are there any others that you would add to the list? What was your favorite nursery rhyme book as a child? The Jolly Postman ranks near the top for me!

If you want your preschooler to have a strong foundation in phonological awareness (and all other core skills, too!), be sure to check out Play into Kindergarten Readiness. One activity a day, and your little one will be set to soar!

Take a peek right here:
https://shop.howweelearn.com/pages/play-into-kindergarten-readiness

xo
Sarah

P.S. Don’t forget to grab your FREE Phonological Awareness Guide: