50 Best Nursery Rhyme Books for Kids
Whether you’re looking for your kids first mother goose book, or wanting to add the best nursery rhyme books to your collection, this is the perfect list!
Best Nursery Rhyme Books
Most classic nursery rhymes have been around for a very long time – way longer than most nurseries!
Nursery Rhymes are important for young children and young readers who are beginning to read or pick up language. The rhymes and easy-to-learn beats help little ones develop an ear for our language. The tunes are a great way for them to learn and understand syllables and sounds!
Below you’ll find a list of books made for each of some of the most popular nursery rhymes. If you are looking for a set or a mother goose collection, the two links below include many of these rhymes and songs in one place.
Mother Goose Deluxe 12 Board Books
Humpty Dumpty Books
This popular nursery rhyme may have originally been written about a cannon! Some say that the name Humpty Dumpty was actually referring to a cannon during the English Civil War. The beloved nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty, would have come after.
This classic nursery rhyme has an easy-to-catch beat and the words are easy to memorize at any age.
There are plenty of wonderful Humpty Dumpty books and free printable resources to choose from – each appealing to different ages or needs.
- Early Reader Humpty Dumpty
- Classic Humpty Dumpty Board Book
- Die-Cut Humpty Dumpty Book
- Humpty Dumpty After the Fall
Little Miss Muffet Books
“Little Miss Muffet, she sat on her tuffet, eating her curds and whey…”
The origin of this nursery rhyme is unknown, but it was first recorded in 1805. That definitely makes it a classic! Because of the old-fashioned language used in this one, it can be more difficult to remember than others. Tuffet means a little stool! However, some people say she might have just bean sitting outside on a hill.
- Paper Back Little Miss Muffet
- Little Miss Muffet Board Book
- Traditional Little Miss Muffet Book
- Little Miss Muffet Counts to Ten
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Books
“Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are…”
One of the more popular nursery rhymes, this one dates back to the 19th century. It was written as a poem by a women named Jane Taylor. The poem was originally called “The Star”. After the lyrics were published, it was arranged into a lullaby by multiple composers. One of whom was Mozart! We have a printable of the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star lyrics on this post that you can use when teaching the nursery rhyme.
- Finger Puppet Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Book: Little fingers will love using finger puppet books like these! This style is perfect for the youngest of those that are learning these classic nursery rhymes.
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Board Book
- Jane Cabrera Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Book: Jane Cabrera has a collection of books with colorful illustrations that any age will love.
- Pete the Cat Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Little Bo-Peep Books
“Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep and can’t tell where to find them; Leave them alone and they’ll come home, wagging their tails behind them…”
Little Bo-Peep is one of those nursery rhyme characters that became very popular in the 1990’s! Why? The Pixar Animation film, Toy Story! However, the origins of Little Bo-Peep go back much farther- 16th century England!
- Little Bo-Peep Early Reader
- Charles Reasoner Little Bo-Peep Book
- Little Bo Peep and Her Bad, Bad Sheep
Hickory Dickory Dock Books
“Hickory dickory dock, the mouse went up the clock, the clock struck one, the mouse went down, hickory dickory dock…”
This nursery rhyme was published in 1744! In that version, it was actually spelled “Hickere, Dickere, Dock”. It was initially considered a five line limerick! A limerick is a humorous poem that has five lines with each line having a specific amount of syllables. While we may not consider the nursery rhyme to be all that hilarious anymore, readers in the 18th century did!
- Hardcover Hickory Dickory Dock: This hardcover book is perfect for those wanting to keep a solid copy of this nursery rhyme around the home or classroom.
- Charles Reasoner Hickory Dickory Dock
- Board Book Hickory Dickory Dock: While board books are not necessarily picture books, they do have plenty of visuals going on to keep young ones entertained.
- The Completed Hickory Dickory Dock
Five Little Ducks Books
“Five little ducks went swimming one day, over the hills and far away. The mother duck said, ‘quack, quack, quack, quack’ and only four little ducks came back…”
The history and author of this nursery rhyme are unknown, but that does not take away what we can learn from this little song! This nursery rhyme in particular is great for those that are learning to count and take numbers away from one another.
- Five Little Ducks Board Book
- Classic Five Little Ducks Book
- Sing Along With Me Five Little Ducks: This version is perfect for those who want a little tune to go along with learning the nursery rhyme.
- Pete the Cat: Five Little Ducks
Three Blind Mice Books
“Three blind mice, three blind mice, see how they run, see how they run…”
This is one of those familiar rhymes that many people know the first or second line of. After the first or second line, many people are unfamiliar with how the rest of the song goes! The Three Blind Mice song was first published in 1609 and is believed to be about three Protestants!
Old MacDonald Books
“Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. And on that farm he had a pig, E-I-E-I-O…”
While many of us know this as a fun song for children, it was actually written for an opera in 1706! Now, it’s a classic tune that helps young ones learn the names and sounds of farm animals.
- Board Book Old MacDonald
- Old MacDonald Touch and Feel Book
- Little Golden Book Old MacDonald
- Pete the Cat: Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Ten Little Monkeys Books
“Ten little monkeys jumping on the bed. One fell off and bumped his head. Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said, ‘No more monkeys jumping on the bed’…”
This is one of many children’s favorite nursery rhymes and songs. It talks about jumping on the bed, so it is so fun to act out! You may find this one called either “Five Little Monkeys” or “Ten Little Monkeys”. They are the same song, one is just longer!
Mary Had a Little Lamb Books
“Mary had a little lamb, his fleece was white as snow, and everywhere that Mary went
that little lamb was sure to go now..”
This nursery rhyme is said to be about exactly what it sounds like! In the 1800’s a young girl named Mary took in a young sheep, because the sheep had been rejected by its mother. When the sheep had been nursed back to health, it followed Mary around everywhere!
- Mary Had a Little Lamb Finger Puppet Book
- Paperback Mary Had a Little Lamb
- Indestructible Mary Had a Little Lamb Book: Indestructible books are great way to keep these classic tunes around for a long time.
Hey Diddle Diddle Books
“Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon…”
Some records have versions of this nursery rhyme being published as early as 1569! While the words in those versions are not exactly the same, they use the phrase, “Hey diddle diddle”. The modern version of Hey Diddle Diddle was published in 1765!
- Indestructible Hey Diddle Diddle Book
- Touch and Trace Hey Diddle Diddle
- Board Book Hey Diddle Diddle
Peter Rabbit Books
“Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nose, Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nose, Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nose, and he flipped it and he flapped it and it flew away…”
Most of us know Peter Rabbit as part of a beloved children’s story, but there is a nursery rhyme that goes along with it. Not to be confused with Peter Cottontail; these are different rhymes.
Little Boy Blue Books
“Little Boy Blue come blow your horn, the sheep’s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn….”
William Shakespeare wrote a play, King Lear, that included some of the lyrics from this nursery rhyme. Little Boy Blue was published for the first time in 1744.
Baa Baa Black Sheep Books
“Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full…”
This rhyme carries a similar tune to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the tune that we sing the Alphabet to! If you are looking for activities to go along with this nursery rhyme and several others listed here, check out this post. We have a printable of the rhyme lyrics and several ideas for crafts and activities to go along with them – like this Build-a-poem!
- Jane Cabrera Baa Baa Black Sheep: Just like all other Jane Cabrera publications, this beautiful book has so many bright colors and unique illustrations.
- Finger Puppet Baa Baa Black Sheep: Little hands will love any of the finger puppet books on this list.
- Touch and Feel Baa Baa Black Sheep: Interactive elements are always a great way to keep learners interested!
Itsy Bitsy Spider Books
“The itsy bitsy spider crawled up the water spout. Down came the rain, and washed the spider out…”
Itsy Bitsy Spider used to be called the “Incy Wincy Spider”. The origins of the song are unknown, but it was published for the first time in 1920. It has great finger-play and hand motions you can teach those learning the song and rhyme.
- Board Book Itsy Bitsy Spider: Board book formats, like this one, are a great way to keep books around for as long as possible. They are easy to grasp for tiny hands.
- Finger Puppet Itsy Bitsy Spider
- Touch and Trace Itsy Bitsy Spider
Little Jack Horner Books
Old Mother Hubbard Books
“Old Mother Hubbard, went to the cupboard, to give the poor dog a bone…”
Many traditional nursery rhymes came to be around the 1800’s. Old Mother Hubbard is no different! The lyrics for Old Mother Hubbard were inspired by the writer’s housekeeper!
All of the books listed above are the perfect addition to your collection of mother goose rhymes, They are all classic books that will be great fun for years to come. In fact, a child’s favourite nursery rhyme books, classic tales, and fairy tales are often passed down to the next generation.
Before you go, here are more nursery rhyme posts:
17 Simple Humpty Dumpty Printables
25 Popular Nursery Rhyme Songs
34 Best Nursery Rhymes for Kids
115 Best Seasonal Poems for Kids
31 Clever Kids Book Storage Ideas
15 Nursery Rhymes Sequencing Printables
Humpty Dumpy Nursery Rhyme Resources
Best Nursery Rhyme Books
