5 favorite nursery rhyme books

Whether you prefer a classic compilation of Mother Goose's tales or twists like "The Cow Tripped Over the Moon," this round up has something for everyone.

May 24, 2024

I’ve begun and abandoned a bunch of intros for this issue trying to get it just right, so I’ll get right to the point:

I’m really excited to share these nursery rhyme books with you!

Nursery rhymes are weird, silly, steeped in history, and yet no one really knows for certain what many of them are about. They are familiar yet mysterious, whimsical yet sometimes instructive, and they are fun for both the reader and the listener. They fascinate me!

Nursery rhymes are often the first forms of poetry children hear, and they are so astoundingly silly to both read and hear that you can’t help but enjoy them.

Below are five nursery rhyme books my four- and two-year old children are reading and loving.

(Note: I’ve organized this list by age, so the further down the list you go, the more appropriate the books are for older children. Let me know if this is helpful and, if so, I’ll start doing it for future issues!)

“Favorite Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose” by Scott Gustafson

This book is an absolutely beautiful collection of classic Mother Goose rhymes. Each page features large, gorgeous fine art prints (the book is roughly 10" in. x 12 in.), and they make you want to linger and study them for ages.

This book is a wonderful option for a baby shower gift, and I’m including it at the beginning of this list because it’s appealing to all ages—babies and adults alike. If you want classic versions of the nursery rhymes and beautiful art to accompany them, this is your pick. (How beautiful would these pages be in a nursery/playroom gallery wall??)

Recommended age: 1 - 4 years (according to the publisher, but I think anyone of any age can appreciate this book)

“Lift the Flap: Nursery Rhymes” by Roger Priddy

Looking for a board book/lift-the-flap option? This is it! With bright colors, playful illustrations and the intro lines to some of the most popular nursery rhymes, this is a great choice for babies and toddlers.

Recommended age: 1 - 3 years

“Nursery Rhyme Search and Find” written by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Lisa Sheehan

Once your children are familiar with several nursery rhymes, this whimsical search and find is a fun option for engaging with the rhymes in a new way. From the five little monkeys who jump on the bed to Georgie Porgie and the dish who ran away with the spoon, your toddlers/preschool age children will have fun fun searching for their favorite characters.

Recommended age: 3 - 5 years

“Mother Goose’s Pajama Party” written by Danna Smith, illustrated by Virginia Allyn

“Mother Goose’s Pajama Party” is another beautifully illustrated book. The story is fun—Mother Goose invites all of the nursery rhyme characters to her house for a pajama party. My children love to see the characters’ stories overlap, and the illustrations’ colors and rich detail are enchanting.

This book is fun for children who are already familiar with most of the nursery rhymes, although if you need a refresher, all of the rhymes referenced in the story are written out in the back of the book. (There were a few that were new to us, like Simple Simon and Little Betty Blue.)

Recommended age: 3 - 7 years

“The Cow Tripped Over the Moon” written by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Joel Stewart

If your children love a good giggle, this is your pick! “Here comes the ambulance, it’s on its way. Who’s had an accident in Storyland today?”

The cow trips over the moon, rock-a-bye baby falls from the bough, Little Boy Blue needs his trumpet fixed, and more. Can the ambulance crew put everyone back together again? (Vehicle-loving children will also appreciate this one.) Again, this book is a fun choice for children already familiar with nursery rhymes.