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Quick answer: The best nursery Rhyme Books for Babies include My Very First Mother Goose by Iona Opie, Here Comes Mother Goose by Iona Opie, Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose by Tomie dePaola and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
Nursery rhymes are one of the best ways to share language with babies. The rhythm, rhyme and repetition help little ones tune in to sounds, and the short verses fit perfectly into cuddles, bath time and nappy changes. These collections and single-rhyme books are favourites with parents and librarians.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| My Very First Mother Goose | Iona Opie | 0-3 | first collections |
| Here Comes Mother Goose | Iona Opie | 0-4 | families who want more rhymes |
| Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose | Tomie dePaola | 0-4 | fans of warm illustrations |
| The Real Mother Goose | Blanche Fisher Wright | 0-4 | classic editions |
| Sylvia Long's Mother Goose | Sylvia Long | 0-4 | animal lovers |
| Mother Goose's Little Treasures | Iona Opie | 1-4 | rhyme collectors |
| Each Peach Pear Plum | Janet and Allan Ahlberg | 1-4 | I-spy fans |
| The Itsy Bitsy Spider | Iza Trapani | 0-3 | singalong fans |
| Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star | Iza Trapani | 0-3 | bedtime |
| Mary Had a Little Lamb | Iza Trapani | 0-3 | lamb lovers |
| The Wheels on the Bus | Paul O. Zelinsky | 0-4 | lift-the-flap fans |
| Five Little Ducks | Raffi | 0-3 | counting songs |
| Pat-a-Cake and Other Play Rhymes | Joanna Cole | 0-3 | bouncing and clapping games |
| Clap Hands | Helen Oxenbury | 0-2 | the youngest babies |
| Hickory Dickory Dock | Keith Baker | 1-4 | clock and counting fans |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. My Very First Mother Goose by Iona Opie
Rosemary Wells illustrates more than sixty classic rhymes. Recommended ages: about 0-3.
Best for: first collections.
2. Here Comes Mother Goose by Iona Opie
A second big collection illustrated by Rosemary Wells. Recommended ages: about 0-4.
Best for: families who want more rhymes.
3. Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose by Tomie dePaola
More than two hundred rhymes with cheerful pictures. Recommended ages: about 0-4.
Best for: fans of warm illustrations.
4. The Real Mother Goose by Blanche Fisher Wright
A traditional collection first published in 1916. Recommended ages: about 0-4.
Best for: classic editions.
5. Sylvia Long's Mother Goose by Sylvia Long
Classic rhymes illustrated with gentle animal characters. Recommended ages: about 0-4.
Best for: animal lovers.
6. Mother Goose's Little Treasures by Iona Opie
Lesser-known rhymes illustrated by Rosemary Wells. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: rhyme collectors.
7. Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Babies spot nursery rhyme characters hidden in each picture. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: i-spy fans.
8. The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani
The spider's adventure continues past the waterspout. Recommended ages: about 0-3.
Best for: singalong fans.
9. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by Iza Trapani
A little star takes a girl on a night-time journey. Recommended ages: about 0-3.
Best for: bedtime.
10. Mary Had a Little Lamb by Iza Trapani
An expanded version of the classic rhyme. Recommended ages: about 0-3.
Best for: lamb lovers.
11. The Wheels on the Bus by Paul O. Zelinsky
Moving parts bring the song to life. Recommended ages: about 0-4.
Best for: lift-the-flap fans.
12. Five Little Ducks by Raffi
The ducks go out one by one until Mother Duck calls them home. Recommended ages: about 0-3.
Best for: counting songs.
13. Pat-a-Cake and Other Play Rhymes by Joanna Cole
Rhymes with simple actions to share with a baby. Recommended ages: about 0-3.
Best for: bouncing and clapping games.
14. Clap Hands by Helen Oxenbury
Babies clap, dance and play in a sturdy board book. Recommended ages: about 0-2.
Best for: the youngest babies.
15. Hickory Dickory Dock by Keith Baker
A mouse runs up the clock every hour. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: clock and counting fans.
How to Choose the Right Book
For a first collection, choose My Very First Mother Goose or Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose. For single songs to sing every day, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and The Wheels on the Bus are perfect. For lap games, Pat-a-Cake and Other Play Rhymes and Clap Hands add actions to the words.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
My Very First Mother Goose by Iona Opie is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 0 to 4, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.
When should I start reading nursery rhymes to my baby?
You can start from birth. Babies love the sound of a familiar voice, and rhymes help them learn the rhythms of language long before they talk.
Related: 15 Best Black and White Books for Babies That Spark Development