Not to be Missed Rhyming Books for Preschoolers

Most preschoolers LOVE to be read to over and over again. This makes reading books the perfect vehicle for lots of learning. Preschool books are filled with oodles of vocabulary, engaging text, and illustrations that stimulate the imagination.  Today’s list is all about helping kids hear rhyme.  These rhyming books for preschoolers help little ones develop phonological awareness which is a critical factor in learning to read.

Like most books with preschoolers, we read them multiple times.  The first time you read one of the books just read it for pure enjoyment.  Then, during another read-aloud session, orally identify the rhymes in the book.  You can also pause while reading and let the kids listen and identify the correct rhyme.

Rhyming Books for Preschoolers

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

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Let’s start with my all-time-favorite rhyming book- [easyazon_link identifier=”141697976X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Rhyming Dust Bunnies[/easyazon_link] by Jan Thomas.  I’ve said it before but, this book turned my children into rhyming geniuses.  It’s so silly and fun.  Plus, you have to make a set of rhyming dust bunny puppets to go along with the story.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0062393472″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Toad on the Road[/easyazon_link] by Stephen Shaskan is extra engaging because it has a call and response text.  This is a top pick for a whole group read-aloud.

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Gorillas and ice cream star in [easyazon_link identifier=”0764168533″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Gorilla Loves Vanilla[/easyazon_link] by Chae Strathie. If an animal ordered an ice cream sundae, what flavor would they like?  Perhaps squirmy wormy for chicken. But, what would a gorilla like?

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Speaking of gorillas, try [easyazon_link identifier=”0545757916″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Still a Gorilla![/easyazon_link] by Kim Norman.  In this book, Gorilla tries to imitate the other animals but in the end, learns it’s just best to be you.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0439837693″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]A Was Once An Apple Pie[/easyazon_link] by Suse MacDonald is good for rhyme and ABC work.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”1101934824″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Hip Hop Lollipop[/easyazon_link] by Susan Montanari invites the kids to get up and move. Lollipop has a groovy way of getting ready for bed.

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In [easyazon_link identifier=”1416978844″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Jump![/easyazon_link] by Scott M. Fischer the animals have to keep jumping to get away from their predators.  The illustrations are fun and full of action too.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”1416955666″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Guess Again![/easyazon_link] by Mac Barnett is fun for rhyming and there is an added surprise for each rhyme that will really have the students giggling.

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They say that people look like their pets. Do their names have to rhyme too? Find out in [easyazon_link identifier=”153620935X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Mr. Scruff[/easyazon_link] by Simon James.

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Another silly one is [easyazon_link identifier=”0545687918″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Frog On a Log?[/easyazon_link] by Kes Gray.  Frog doesn’t want to sit on a log because it’s hard and full fo splinters.  But, cats sit on mats and mules sit on stools.  What’s a frog to do?

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Do you remember the Sesame Street skit where a young child repeats a grocery list over and over on her way to the store? “A loaf of bread, a container of milk and a stick of butter” [easyazon_link identifier=”1101996218″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Chimpanzees for Tea[/easyazon_link]by Jo Empson reminds me of that clip.  Vincent is on his way to the store with a list and the more he repeats it the more the list gets into a rhyming twist.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”1419715143″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Rhymocerous[/easyazon_link] by Janik Coat would appeal to toddlers but, also works for preschoolers.  It’s a simple book on one level but, has clever rhymes that will really get preschoolers thinking.  Plus, there is a sensory component to the book.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0399237100″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Clap Your Hands[/easyazon_link] by Lorinda Bryan Cauley is a great one to get kids moving and rhyming.  It’s full of actions for the kids to act out.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0694013447″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Tumble Bumble[/easyazon_link] by Felicia Bond (illustrator of the [easyazon_link identifier=”0060245867″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]If You Give a Mouse a Cookie[/easyazon_link] books including the new [easyazon_link identifier=”0060275715″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]If You Give a Mouse a Brownie[/easyazon_link]) is the tale of a bug out on a walk and all the characters he meets.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”1610670450″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Monkey’s Friend[/easyazon_link]s by Ruth Brown might be a bit hard to find but, it’s worth it.  Kids will love to guess which animal monkey finds on each spread by thinking of a rhyming animal word to complete the sentence.

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For some nonsense rhymes, read [easyazon_link identifier=”0679882839″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]There’s A Wocket in my Pocket![/easyazon_link] by Dr. Seuss.  The kids will have fun generating their own nonsense rhymes to create their own book too.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0735228841″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Rhyme Crime[/easyazon_link] by Jon Burgerman is a colorful story about a thief who takes things and replaces the items with rhyming words. For example a hat is replaced with a cat.  The kids will enjoy guessing each swap. They’ll also giggle with the item the thief replaces the lock on his jail cell with too.

Get ready for some silly fun in Moose, Goose, and Mouse by Mordicai Gerstein and Jeff Mack. Mordicai Gerstein passed away before finishing the illustrations of his last book, but he asked his friend, Jeff Mack to finish them for him. This silly rhyming book will make for a fun whole group read-aloud. And, this book will lead to lots of rhyming recognition and practice.

Grab a copy of Eye Spy by Ruth Brown. I do love an interactive book that works on rhyming and beginning sounds! Look at the beautiful illustration and listen to the clue. I spy something that begins with S. It rises in the East and set in the West. Our days are filled with it’s light and warmth. It rhymes with fun… Continue throughout the book for some more nature fun.

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Finally, there is the classic series of books by Nancy Shaw. [easyazon_link identifier=”0547338058″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Sheep in a Jeep[/easyazon_link], [easyazon_link identifier=”0395643767″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Sheep on a Ship[/easyazon_link], [easyazon_link identifier=”0395816580″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Sheep Take a Hike[/easyazon_link], and [easyazon_link identifier=”0618583394″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Sheep Out to Eat[/easyazon_link] follow the rhyming antics of a group of sheep.

Printable Rhyme Books for Kids List

Grab a printable copy of the book list above.  It’s perfect for tucking in your lesson plan book or to take to the library.

After reading these rhyming books for preschoolers, have a little playful rhyming fun with these activities.

35 Circle Time Songs and Chants

Color Rhyme Chant

Giant Sized Rhyming Memory Game

The Three Little Kittens Rhyming Mittens

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This post first appeared on Growing Book by Book on 11/3/16.