14 Great Rhyming Books
for Preschoolers
by Liz Lesnick
Countless studies show that reading to your children from birth is essential to creating a love of reading. But what do children want to hear? And, equally important, what will parents want to read to their children, over and over again?
Why not try books that rhyme? Young children love to play and rhyming is just that: Wordplay. The more kids love words, the more they’ll want to read. So before it’s too late, not a moment too soon, start reading aloud, your child will swoon!
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The Book of Nursery Rhymes
Buy from:If you want to read a book with excellent rhyme and meter, then nursery rhymes are the perfect place to start. This volume contains 50 classic nursery rhymes, from Little Bo-Peep to Humpty Dumpty. Even the tiniest readers love these time-tested favorites!
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Here’s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry
Buy from:It’s never too early to read poems to your children, and this collection is the perfect place to start. Jane Yolen has chosen poems by such luminaries as Margaret Wise Brown, Gertrude Stein, Langston Hughes, and A. A. Milne that highlight the moments of a toddler’s world from dawn to dusk.
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Duck Duck Taco Truck
Buy from:Two food trucks operated by sworn rivals — ducks and geese — compete for customers at the beach. But when one gets overwhelmed, the rivals devise a solution that helps everyone. This funny, rockling story boasts delightful, rhyming prose that will keep young readers engaged to the last page.
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The Gruffalo
Buy from:Wouldn’t you like to know about the brave little mouse and his friendly Gruffalo? That’s the creature Mouse invented to protect him from baddies in the deep, dark wood. Children will love both characters and their irresistible rhymes.
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Sleep, Little Dozer
Buy from:This comforting story and its gentle rhyme is the perfect way to wind down at the end of the day. Children will enjoy following Little Dozer as he bathes, gets in bed, and counts jeeps to fall asleep. This sweet story makes the perfect addition to any child’s bedtime stack.
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Llama Llama Red Pajama
Buy from:It’s bedtime, but Baby Llama refuses to go to sleep. Readers will revel in the rhymes of this raucous tale about the all-too-familiar bedtime battles between parents and young children.
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I Would Love You Still
Buy from:As they wander around a zoo, a parent expresses their love for their child. Through lyrical rhyme, the parent shares that no matter what their child looks or acts like, their love extends to all their wild and untamed parts.
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Madeline
Buy from:A beloved classic for eighty years, Madeline owes much of its charm to the carefully crafted, sophisticated cadence of author Ludwig Bemelmans. Parents and grandparents will love revisiting this childhood favorite set in the City of Lights.
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Hello, Sun
Buy from:Spare text, stunning illustrations, and bouncy rhyme make this picture book a must-read. Readers follow a series of animals as the sun rises and makes its way across the sky before sinking below the horizon at the end of the day. Children will love reading this sweet story before bedtime.
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Each Peach Pear Plum
Buy from:A rhyming staple for every household, Each Peach Pear Plum features familiar fairytale characters and an “I Spy” component that readers can interact with more deeply as they age. Don’t be surprised if your children memorize this one!
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I Am La Chiva!: The Colorful Bus of the Andes
Buy from:Take an exciting and colorful trip through the Andes aboard a vibrant bus in this rhyming picture book. Readers will experience Colombia’s rich culture and beautiful landscape as they progress through the pages.
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The Book That Almost Rhymed
Buy from:Okay, so this book doesn’t rhyme, but it almost does. Because of its brilliant metering, readers expect the story to rhyme, only to be surprised and delighted when it doesn’t. The results are hilarious and fun. It will quickly become a storytime favorite!
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Giggly Wiggly: Playtime Rhymes
Buy from:When it’s time to play, try out Giggly Wiggly, a collection of joyful, silly rhymes for the youngest of readers. They’ll love the book’s lighthearted characters, and you’ll love your child’s energetic attention to language.
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There’s a Wocket in My Pocket! Dr. Seuss’s Book of Ridiculous Rhymes
Buy from:No list of rhyming books would be complete without the work of the master, Dr. Seuss. In There’s a Wocket in My Pocket! a young boy explores his house and discovers a surprising cast of characters that could only be described as Seussian! Filled with wordplay and his trademark illustrations, There’s a Wocket is an essential introduction to the wonderful, wacky world of Dr. Seuss.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2025.