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Five Faves: Picture Books You Can Sing

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 Lots of kids LOVE to sing! I do as well, which is why I love books that are set to popular songs or are variations of nursery rhymes. These authors and illustrators are very creative in how they change up these songs to create something familiar, yet different. My only problem is remembering to slow down so I don't sing too fast to enjoy the pictures!

Hush, Little Rocket
Written by Mo O'Hara
Illustrated by Alexandra Cook
New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2023. Picture Book.

It's hard to go to sleep without a good story to imagine. Set to the tune of "Hush, Little Baby," Hush, Little Rocket will help fill your little one's head with images of this rocket blasting off through the solar system. Making sure to introduce the different planets seen along the way, this is a great bedtime book for any future space explorers. Back matter gives more information about the solar system for those who are interested.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night
Written by Megan Litwin
Illustrated by Nneka Myers
New York: Clarion Books, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, 2022. Picture Book.

Warm up the chilly evenings with this book set to the familiar song "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night celebrates the cozy atmosphere of winter and all that makes the season magical. Curl up with your child to see if they can find all the different glowing lights in the darkest time of year.

Written by Kalee Gwarjanski
Illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic
New York: Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2024. Picture Book.

There's more to farms than barnyard animals! Set to the kid-favorite "Old MacDonald Had a Farm," Miss MacDonald Has a Farm highlights all the things that grow on a farm, and all the work that goes into producing food. Whether it's a "weed-weed here" or a "pick-pick there," children will see that there's a lot that Miss MacDonald has to do to make sure her farm "E-I-E-I-Grows!"

The Rice in the Pot Goes Round and Round
Written by Wendy Wan-Long Shang
Illustrated by Lorian Tu
New York: Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., 2021. Picture Book.

Would you rather be on a bus or eating a delicious Chinese meal? I know my answer, but whatever you chose, this take on "The Wheels on the Bus" is sure to delight. The Rice in the Pot Goes Round and Round is a fun sampling of sounds, smells, and tastes that accompany a Chinese family making dinner. There is also explanations of food etiquette in the back of the book. 

The Rattlin' Bog
Written by Jessica Law
Illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald
Concord, MA: Barefoot Books, 2024. Picture Book.

This illustrated version of the traditional Irish folk song shows the biodiversity of the bog. Different plants and animals are highlighted in the cumulative verses of The Rattlin' Bog. It is fun to sing along and see if you can remember all the animals that were featured on earlier pages. If you're not familiar with this song, back matter includes sheet music and this book comes with a CD to help you learn the song.
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