Rhyming stories for children
By Scottish Book TrustRhyming stories can have a variety of benefits – from early language development, to making reading experiences more fun and memorable for children. We've chosen some of our favourite books with rhymes galore for your wee ones to explore!
For more songs and nursery rhymes to enjoy with your little ones, be sure to visit the Bookbug Song and Rhyme Library, or download the Bookbug app to take them on the go.
Goodnight World
Debi Gliori
£7.99 £7.59If you're looking for a rhyming picture book to settle little ones at the end of the day, this is just perfect. The dreamy illustrations complement the simple text and the rhythm and repetition help to create a soothing bedtime story. Cuddle up and enjoy this night-time classic.
Honey for You, Honey for Me: A First Book of Nursery Rhymes
Chris Riddell
£14.99 £14.24This collection of familiar and rediscovered nursery rhymes is a great one to add to your shelves. From classics like 'Jelly on a Plate' to brilliant lesser knowns like 'Croak' about a hungry frog, and expressive and playful illustrations that go along with the rhyming text, there’s plenty to love here. It doesn't have to be read all at once – it's one you can return to when you're in need of a nursery rhyme to share!
Daddy Do My Hair: Beth's Twists
Tola Okogwu and Chante Timothy
£6.99 £6.64This is a heart-warming exploration of the relationship between a father and daughter, through hair care. Beth likes Daddy to style her hair every week – and this week she wants twists. A lovely story plays out through adorable illustrations paired with rhyming text, making it a beautiful picture book to enjoy, centred around routines that are shared together.
Rock-a-Bye Rumpus: Action Rhymes for the Very Young
Julia Donaldson and Sebastien Braun
£14.99 £14.24If you're looking to introduce some nursery rhyme classics to your wee one's library, this collection is a lovely place to start. Featuring a mixture of well-known nursery rhymes and poems, and newer ones penned by Donaldson herself, it's a lovely book to dip in and out of to suit your rhyming needs! Accompanied by adorable illustrations, and a CD to listen along to the words found in the book, Rock-a-bye Rumpus is a great keepsake to come back to time and again.
Go, Go, Pirate Boat
Ms Katrina Charman and Nick Sharratt
£7.99 £7.59One of Charman and Sharratt's iconic collaborations, this is perfect for any little pirates in your life. Go, Go, Pirate Boat perfectly fits in with the tune of the familiar classic nursery rhyme Row, Row, Row Your Boat, making it easy to sing or rhyme along to together. Along with all the rhyming fun, children will love to discover lots of simple, nautical illustrations that add more to the story, making for a short book that's rich with elements to enjoy together.
Come All You Little Persons
John Agard and Jessica Courtney Tickle
£7.99 £7.59John Agard's lyrical poem is brought to life beautifully in this gentle poem for children (and their grown ups). It's a poem which celebrates difference and the richness of love and life – ideal for reading aloud to your baby before they are born, and for many years after.
One Camel Called Doug: the perfect countdown to bedtime!
LU FRASER and Sarah Warburton
£6.99 £6.64A picture book about a camel called Doug, adventuring through the desert, and meeting lots of new friends along the way – what's not to love? The challenge is to try and keep count of them all! This is a brilliant story that's bound to have number-loving children engaged as Doug's adventure plays out through fun rhyming text and a narrative that builds up through counting.
Peekaboo Baby
Ingela P Arrhenius
£7.99 £7.59Ingela P. Arrhenius' Peekaboo board book series is full of treasures. We love Peekaboo Baby's playfulness and the many opportunities for interaction through the sliders and mirrors. Friendly illustrations are bound to delight and engage the youngest of readers, along with rhyming text for a memorable read.