by: Colleen Hughes
Just about every kid knows The Cat in the Hat and Horton Hears a Who!, but there are other authors out there with a gifted sense of rhythm for the child who loves rhyming books. Check out our top picks for the best books that incorporate rhyme, including some classics and a few new favorites.
Giraffes Can't Dance
Price: $16.99
Recommended ages: 4–8
All the other animals in Africa "skip and prance" at the annual Jungle Dance, but Gerald the giraffe can't seem to keep his knobby knees and skinny legs coordinated. The other animals tease Gerald, but with the help of a friendly cricket, he learns that maybe those who are a bit different "just need a different song.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Price: $8.99
Recommended ages: 2–5
Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? has been delighting preschoolers for generations. Children will love the bright, bold animal illustrations by Eric Carle, from a purple cat and a blue horse to, of course, the titular brown bear. The sing-song text of Brown Bear also has a whole family of friends joining him in the rest of the series — children can practice their wild animal roars and snorts in Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, learn about wildlife conservation in Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?, and meet native North American animals like the red fox and mountain goat in Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
Price: $16.99
Recommended ages: 1–6
It's the end of a long day's work on the construction site, and one by one the different trucks — Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Bulldozer, and their friends — finish up their work for the day and say goodnight. After all, tomorrow is another big day full of "rough-and-tough construction play!" Sherri Duskey Rinker's rhythmic text is the perfect bedtime story for any kid who prefers dump trucks and dirt to soft pillows and blankets.
I Like Myself!
Price: $17.99
Recommended ages: 4–7
This imaginative story teaches children to appreciate everything about themselves, no matter what. The exuberant young protagonist knows that "there's no one else she'd rather be," even if she had "fleas or warts" or a "silly snout that snorts." The quirky illustrations perfectly capture the book's whimsical humor.
The Cow Loves Cookies
Price: $17.99
Recommended ages: 3–8
Children are taken on the daily rounds as a farmer feeds his animals. The horses eat hay, the geese eat corn, the chickens eat feed, and the cow eats ... cookies? The sing-song, repeating text provides a fun twist on the traditional barnyard story with its cow who'd "rather eat things sweet." Why does the cow love cookies so much? You'll find out.
Big Hair, Don't Care
Price: $16.99
Recommended ages: 4–7
Lola has really big, really curly hair. It's different from the other kids' at school, and sometimes the other kids stare at her. Her big hair has even caused her to lose at hide-and-seek. But Lola doesn't care. She loves her hair — and she'll tell anyone who will listen.
My Granny Went to Market
Price: $6.99
Recommended ages: 4–8
Granny buys a magic carpet in Istanbul that takes her off on a journey around the world — a journey of cultures and counting. In each country she visits, Granny buys an ever-increasing amount of items native to that country, from one magic carpet in Istanbul to two temple cats in Thailand, all the way up to ten llamas in Peru. Younger children will enjoy learning how to count as Granny accumulates more items, and older children learn about the different countries Granny visits.
Llama Llama Red Pajama
Price: $17.99
Recommended ages: 2–5 years
When Baby Llama is tucked into bed at night, he gets a little anxious after Mama Llama goes back downstairs, especially when she doesn't come back right away when he calls her. Baby Llama starts to whimper, cry, and shout as he worries that Mama Llama is gone. But Mama comes back just in time to stop the "llama drama." This is a perfect bedtime story for little ones, who will appreciate the message that mama is "always near, even if she's not right here."
