• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

  • Start Here
  • Books
    • Classics
      • 20th Century Classics
    • Early Chapter Books
    • Easy Readers
    • Folktales
    • Holiday Books
    • Middle Grade (8-12 years)
    • Nonfiction
    • Picture Books
    • Read Aloud Chapter Books
  • Games
    • Traditional Games
  • Kids Activities
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy & Writing
    • Math
    • Playful Activities
    • Science
    • Toddler
  • Parenting
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Books for kids
  • Games
  • Indoor activities for kids
  • Parenting
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Books / Poetry Books for Babies and Toddlers

     

    Poetry Books for Babies and Toddlers

    413 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Can you read poetry to babies and toddlers? Of course! Kids ages 3 and under will be a most receptive audience. When you stop to consider the matter, you will notice that most good books for babies, toddlers and even preschoolers are written in rhyme and with a pleasing rhythm.

    I loved reading poetry to my babes in arms. When my boys were infants, I could get away with reciting Shakespeare during diaper changes in between rhymes about toesies and poesies because I knew it was all about the sound of my voice. Later on, in the toddler years, it was less about the Bard and more about Mother Goose!

    Poetry books for kids ages 0-4

    I've curated a list of the best poetry books to read to babies and toddlers. Little ears will cherish hearing their caregivers' voices reciting these poems. In this round up you will find traditional Mother Goose nursery rhymes that every child should hear, formally structured poems like haiku, and collections of a variety of verses. I've even included a bilingual poetry collection. And if you do want Shakespeare suggestion, check out the last poetry books for tiny tots on the list!

    So next time you want to share a special moment with your little one, read them a poem or recite a verse from memory! You both will love it. Plus you are setting the stage for a poetry filled future! (Note: covers and titles are affiliate links.)

    Poems for Kids ages 0-4

    Here's a Little Poem A Very First Book of Poetry
    Here's A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry ed., by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters. Bet you never expected to be reading a verse by Gertrude Stein to your wee one! I adore this collection of unexpected poems for kids ages 0-3, and they are will be enjoyed by preschool-aged children, too! Yolen and Peters have filled this compilation with poems by stellar poets like A.A. Milne, Langston Hughes and Robert Louis Stevenson. It really is impressive how well-chosen the poems are and how delightful they are to read. You won't find another collection like this and Polly Dunbar's whimsical illustrations just increase the magic!

    Haiku Baby Haiku Night
    Haiku Baby and Haiku Night by Betsy E. Snyder. Each poetry book is a darling board book with 6 haiku poems about nature and animals. I really loved how Snyder uses onomatopoetic words which naturally appeal to babies and the collage illustrations are colorful and sweet. The chunky tabbed pages are easy to grab when your toddler wants to turn the pages herself!

    Little Poems for Tiny Ears
    Little Poems for Tiny Ears by Lin Oliver. This is a sweet collection of poems that address very important baby concerns. Concerns like wiggling toes, stroller outings and discovering oneself in the mirror! I love how Oliver uses word play and rhymes and dePaola's cheerful illustrations of a diverse group of babies and toddlers is the perfect accompaniment.

    The Neighborhood Mother Goose
    The Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews. Nursery rhymes don't have to be illustrated with pink bunnies and delicate yellow flowers! Crews's photographs of a diverse group of children experiencing the daily joys and events of everyday life accompany a selection of traditional Mother Goose rhymes. I love Crews's interpretation of each poem in her photographs. For Pat-a-Cake, a pari of girls play a hand clapping game in front of a bakery window; for Pease Porridge, siblings make soup and so on. Tots love to look at photographs of other children and they will be captivated by these scenes from Brooklyn. Delightful!

    Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young
    Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young ed. by Jack Prelutsky. This was a staple in our home when my kids were tots. Children love bouncy rhymes, clever word play and humor and Prelutsky knows this! The collection includes both classic and contemporary poems about the things kids care about–bedtime, picnics, family, baths, food and more. Exuberant illustrations cover ever page.

    My Very First Mother Goose
    My Very First Mother Goose. I bet you can already recite a dozen nursery rhymes from memory. This oversized book with Well's signature illustrative style is great for a lap sitter but unlike a traditional picture book, you won't be reading it all in once sitting. That's okay!   Curator Iona Opie has included both familiar and not-as-familiar Mother Goose rhymes. Many of them were new to me but quickly became fast favorites that I enjoyed reciting at bath time, on the go, or whenever the spirit moved me.

    Pio Peep, Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes
    ¡Pío Peep!: Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes ed., by Alma Flor Alma, F. Isabel Campoy and Alice Shurtle. This bilingual collection of nursery rhymes is not to be missed. Each traditional rhyme is present both in Spanish and in English. If you are not fluent, but had a little bit of high school Spanish, try reading aloud the Spanish version, your babe will love the sound of the word flow and rhythm and hearing another language is great for the brain!

    Wild Waves Whist Shakespeare Board Book Behowl the Moon Shakespeare book for preschoolers
    Behowl the Moon and The Wild Waves Whist by William Shakespeare, adapted by Erin Nelsen Parekh. If you do want to recite Shakespeare to your babes, these are the books for you! I first shared these on Instagram with the caveat that usually I am not into gimmicky "classics" for babies books, but I love these! Instead of attempting to summarize the plot of the plays, the author and illustrator have  lifted text from the plays and created a story through the illustrations.

    More ways to share poetry with kids ages 0-4: 

    • 8 Ways Poetry Calms Kids and Brings Joy to Family Life
    • 6 Preschool Rhyme Activities
    Poetry books for babies and toddlers
    « 14 Picture Books about Perspective and Observation
    Scottish Folklore: Legends, Creatures and Myths »
    413 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Serena says

      April 13, 2019 at 9:22 pm

      I know you already have a few Mother Goose varriations but Mary Engelbreit has a nice compilation of Mother Goose rhymes (maybe 100 or more).
      Great list, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Erica says

        April 14, 2019 at 6:28 am

        Thanks for the recommendation!

        Reply
    2. Citrus says

      October 17, 2019 at 10:14 am

      Both Langston Hughs and Bell Hooks has some beautifully crafted children's books made from their poetry.

      Reply
      • Erica says

        October 20, 2019 at 3:31 pm

        Thanks for the recommendations.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erica! I believe parents can stay sane without giving their kids an electronic device. Learn how!

    More about me →

    Newsletter

    Join over 15,000 subscribers who said "Yes! I want to unplug my kids!" We'll send you 10 waiting games your kids can play anytime, anywhere. Join here -->

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About the Site

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and join over 15,000 other families finding ways reduce screen time.

    Other Stuff

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2023 What Creative Media LLC

    Want More Free Activity Ideas?
    Join our email list and as a thank you gift I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games that will make your kids smarter.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want your kids to love being unplugged?
    Join our newsletter and as a thank you, I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.