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The most obvious way to instill a love of poetry and rhyme in children is to read to them. Poetry has a kind of musical quality that captures a child's attention. Be sure to make it light, fun, and loaded with plenty of nonsense and exaggeration.

A Apple Pie, written/illus. by Gennady Spirin, (Philomel Books, 2005), 32p, All Ages.
Following the destiny of an apple pie through the alphabet, children will delight in the details of the whimsical Victorian illustrations. From one of the most beloved alphabet rhymes, children will enjoy finding the small details on every page - a small butterfly where B bit it, a purring cat looking at C cut it, and a tiny mouse creeping to where M mourned for it. A must for collectors.

A Was Once An Apple Pie, written by Edward Lear, adapted/illus. by Suse MacDonald, (Orchard Books, 2005), 32p, Ages 3-6.
This delightful rhyming alphabet book, originally written in 1871, is perfect for reading aloud. Beginning with A on one page and B on the other, a large bear leans across the pages to smell A's Apple Pie. Children will enjoy "A was once an apple pie, /pidy, widy, tidy pidy /nice insidy, apple pie!"

The Arnold Lobel Book of Mother Goose, illus. by Arnold Lobel, (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.,
2003), 176p, Ages 0-6.
306 classic nursery rhymes make up this reissued anthology of Mother Goose. Featured are the many well known rhymes such as "Georgie Porgie" as well as some lesser known rhymes like "A was an apple pie."

Baa Baa Black Sheep, told & illus. by Iza Trapani, (Whispering Coyote, 2001), 32p, Ages 2-7.
A valuable lesson in wanting and giving is presented in an unusual twist on a famous rhyme. An industrious black sheep has plenty of wool, but only for herself. When friends confront sheep about her inability to share, they find that she has knitted a special gift for each one from her own wool.

Cat & Mouse, written/illus. by Ian Schoenherr, (Greenwillow Books, 2008), 40p, Ages 2-4.
Best friends, cat and mouse love a good romp. To the words of loosely adapted nursery rhymes, "Hickory, Dickory, Dock", "Eeny, Meeny, Mo", and "I Love a Little Kitty", they chase each other up the grandfather clock, encounter its mechanical cuckoo bird, play tricks, tease, and enjoy taunting each other. Always in good fun, Mouse declares, "She'll sit by my side/And I'll give her some food./And Kitty will love me/Because I am good." Preschoolers will love the saucer-eyed cat and the mischievous, pink-eared, little mouse having fun together.

The Clock Struck One: A Time-Telling Tale, written by Trudy Harris, illus. by Carrie Hartman, (Millbrook Press, 2009), 32p, Ages 4+.
Expanding on the famous nursery rhyme, "Hickory Dickory Dock," when the clock strikes two, the cat awakes and chases the mouse for a twelve-hour romp through the house and out to the barnyard where the dog and hen join the chase. "Hickory, dickory dix,/the clock on the barn said SIX./A hen joined the group where they charged through the coop/and frightened her new little chicks." Humans join in the pursuit until all collapse at midnight. Endpapers explain facts about clocks and basic information on telling time. Children are challenged to search for the various clocks featured throughout the story, i.e., pocket watch, grandfather clock, stove timer, alarm clock, etc. Children will also enjoy the humorous rhymes, illustrations, and introduction to telling time.

Five Little Ducks, illus. by Ivan Bates, (Orchard Books, 2006), 24p, Ages 3-5.
Based on a popular nursery rhyme and song, this beautiful adaptation tells the story of a mother duck and her five ducklings who venture out one day. The ducklings wander off in search of a present for their mother, but each day one duckling doesn't return, until mother's loud quack bring them all back with a flower, a our-leaf clover, a seashell, a juicy berry and a delicious worm.

Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush, written/illus. by Iza Trapani, (Charlesbridge, 2006), 32p, Ages 2-5.
An industrious gardener tries to keep a menagerie of hungry animals out of her vegetable garden by installing wire, digging trenches, and building a fence. However, the hungry animals always manage to find a way through to the delicious vegetables. From the famous nursery rhyme and traditional song, rabbits and mice sneak past the gardener, gophers tunnel under the barrier, deer jump over the fence, and raccoons open the gate. What's a farmer to do? The last page, including sheet music and verses, reveals the worn out gardener in her rocking chair reading, "Gardens for Sharing."

Hotel Deep: Light Verse from Dark Water, written/illus by Kurt Cyrus, (Harcourt Children's Books, 2005), 40p, Ages 5-10.
Twenty-one poems follow a sardine in search of its lost school in the great coral reef. Twenty-eight type of marine life are featured within the illustrations.

I Heard It From Alice Zucchini, written by Juanita Havill, illus. by Christine Davenier, (Chronicle Books, 2006), 32p, Ages 6+.
Twenty delightful storytelling poems celebrate the world of the garden. Viewed from the ground level perspective of mice, snails, crickets, and a young fairy, children will love the rhythmic stories and lovely illustrations. A King and Queen beetles lose their home when the Rhubarb Forest is baked in a pie. An elegant gentleman bee wishes to marry the flower Sweet Cicely. From "Garden Gossip": "I heard it from Alice Zucchini./I wonder what the neighbors will say./Max Bean said a bad word at recess,/so bad that Ms. Spinach turned gray." From vegetables and rodents to summer storms and fairy-tale pumpkins, the poems are arranged in seasonal order with a table of contents.

I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello, written by Barbara S. Garriel, illus. by John O'Brien, (Boyds Mills Press, $15.95), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Based on an old folk rhyme, a shy young man decides, for an unexplained reason, to swallow many musical instruments. When he consumes a tiny bell, everything is belched up in reverse. It does not make a lot of sense, but does everything have to?

If the Shoe Fits, written by Alison Jackson, illus. by Karla Firehammer, (Henry Holt, 2001), 32p,
Ages 3-7.
The old woman who lives in a shoe searches for a larger home for her many children, and becomes mixed up in other nursery rhymes along the way. Where will she find the perfect place? Maybe in her own backyard?

Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose Favorites, Illus. by Mary Engelbreit, (HarperCollins, 2008), 32p, Ages 3-8.
Young children, whether new to nursery rhymes or experienced listeners, will love Mary Engelbreit's twenty-three beloved and classic rhymes. From Humpty Dumpty, Little Miss Muffet, Pat-A-Cake, and Old King Cole to Hickory, Dickory, Dock, Jack and Jill, Little Bo Peep, and The Cat and the Fiddle, children will delight in the lyrical language as well as Mary Engelbreit's famous artistic style. Passed down by word of mouth for generations, these rhymes have the power to generate laughter and dreams in both children and adults. Mother Goose rhymes should also be in every child's library.

Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose: One Hundred Best-Loved Verses, illus. by Mary Engelbreit, (HarperCollins, 2005), 128p,Ages 3+.
This famous artist has chosen one hundred of her favorite nursery rhymes to illustrate in her whimsical and beautiful technique. An introduction by children's literature specialist Leonard S. Marcus describes the important role of nursery rhymes. This is a must for every child's collection.

Mary Had a Little Lamp, written by Jack Lechner, illus. by Bob Staake, (Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2008), 32p, Ages 4-8.
"Mary had a little lamp-/The bendy, gooseneck kind./And everywhere that Mary went/She dragged the lamp behind." Based on a classic nursery rhyme, a little redheaded girl develops an uncharacteristic fondness for her desk lamp. She takes it everywhere: to the playground, to the movies, a cousin's wedding, dinning out, a baseball game, circus, and zoo. The little lamp proves to be a great friend. It never picks a fight, it is quiet company, and it is extremely lightweight. However, the little lamp stays home for summer camp. With the lamp relegated to a shelf, the little girl returns home to find a new friend-the household toaster. Children and adults will be amused at this new rendition of a classic nursery rhyme, as well as Humpty Dumpty, Little Bo Peep, Old King Cole, and Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary on the back cover who comment on the book.

Mother Goose and Friends, illus. by Ruth Sanderson, (Little, Brown & Co., 2008), 64p, Ages 3-7.
For all who love nursery rhymes, Ruth Sanderson has compiled an impressive collection of 67 famous and lesser-known lullabies, as well as songs, rhymes, and nonsense verse. There is an added bonus in the beautiful paintings, originally done in oil, that accompany each verse. Children will enjoy the lyrical verses of such classics as Peter, Peter, Pumpkin-Eater; Pussycat, Pussycat; The Three Little Kittens; Humpty Dumpty; and Wee Willie Winkie. They can sing to The Muffin Man, Where Has My Little Dog Gone?, Yankee Doodle, and more. Tongue twisters like Peter Piper are always fun and challenging to recite. Children will pour over the gardens of flowers, characters in Victorian-era costumes, fairies who ride ducklings, and brownies who race grasshoppers. There are pumpkin houses, a quaint mice family that lives in an old shoe, and old King Cole who dances to the music of the three little pigs. An introduction includes information on the history of nursery rhymes, the need for repetition of language in verse, and an explanation of the oil-panting process. This lovely book would be a nice addition to any child's library.

Never Talk to Strangers, written by Irma Joyce, illus. by George Buckett, (Golden Books, 2009), 32p, Ages 2-6.
First published in 1967, this classic book of wisdom is back in print cautioning children, in an unthreatening way, about talking to strangers. "If you are hanging from a trapeze/And up sneaks a camel with bony knees./Remember this rule, if you please-/Never talk to strangers." With humorous illustrations and bouncy rhymes, children learn to be careful of a bony-kneed camel, a suitcase-carrying rhinoceros, a dancing leopard, a bassoon-playing bee, and more. Exceptions to these rules are parents, teachers, and friends who know the strangers. With a bit of humor, the Easter Bunny is also included. This clear message on safety is always appropriate for another generation.

Nonsense, written by Edward Lear, illus. by Valorie Fisher, (Antheneum Books, 2004),
40p, Ages 4-9.
A man who teaches owls to drink tea and a woman who waltzes with a bluebottle fly are only a few of the 15 limericks presented in this book of Lear's poems. The afterword and map give information about Lear who lived in the 19th century.

Once Upon a Poem, forward by Kevin Crossly-Holland, illus. by Peter Bailey, Siam Bailey, Carol Lawson, Christ McEwan, (The Chicken House, 2004), 128p, Ages 8-12.
Fifteen selections are gathered in this anthology and a well-known author introduces each. Poems range from "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" and "Paul Revere's Ride" to lesser selections of "The Late Passenger" and "O What is That Sound."

Once Upon a Twice, written by Denise Doyen, illus. by Barry Moser, (Random House, 2009), 32p, Ages 4-7.
"Once upon a twice,/In the middle of the nice,/The moon was on the rice/And the Mice were scoutaprowl . . ." On their nightly forage, elders warn young mice about the dangerous creatures in the woods and ponds. Young Jam Boy disregards the warnings and wanders off to watch a beetle and smell the flowers. He doesn't hear a silent water snake approach, hiss, and strike. Years later, and an older, whiskered Jam speaks to a new generation of mice, and lectures them against wandering off. This cautionary tale of youthful arrogance and overconfidence will have many youngsters on the edge of their seats. With its glorious, nonsensical words (riskarascal, goofiddles, whispercroon) and wonderful illustrations of rice paddies, huge yellow moon, and wide-eyed mouslings, this tale is too good to wait for Halloween to enjoy.

Over the Hills & Far Away, written /illus by Chris Conover, (Farrar, Straus & Giroux),
40p, Ages 3-6.
Tom, an otter pup, plays his pipe throughout the seasons and charms everyone including Sweet Molly, who steals his heart. Beneath the verses are silhouettes of the characters who follow the piper.

The Owl and the Pussycat, written by Edward Lear, illus. by Jan Brett, (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1991), 32p. Ages 4-8.
Originally written in 1830, owl decides to court Pussycat Caribbean-style with a fruit-filled boat and a guitar for singing. It only takes him a year and a day. In Jan Brett's version, another love story unfolds in the water beneath the boat.

Pocketful of Nonsense, written & illus. by James Marshall, (Houghton Mifflin Children's Books,
2003), 24p, Ages 4-8.
A collection of twenty original and traditional rhymes, nonsensical verse, and poems as only Marshall can present them.

Priscilla and the Pink Planet, written by Nathaniel Hobbie, illus. by Jocelyn Hobbie, (Little, Brown & Co., 2004), 32p, Ages 3-7.
Priscilla is tired of living on a planet where everything is pink and longs for other colors. By chance, she meets the Great Queen of Pink and convinces her that diversity and variety is better.

The Quangle Wangle's Hat, written by Edward Lear, illus. by Louise Voce, (Candlewick, 2005), 40p, Ages 4-7.
The Quangle Wangle resides on the top of the Crumpetty Tree where his hundred and two foot wide hat is a perfect home for the Fimble Fowl, the Pobble with no toes and the Dong with its luminous nose. Lear was a master of nonsense.

Rhymes for Annie Rose, written/illus. by Shirley Hughes, (Candlewick, 2006), 48p, Ages 3-7.
Shirley Hughes' words and illustrations turn the ordinary lives of two children into charming, simple, and lovable verses. Twenty-seven poems, action rhymes, and lullabies portray toddler Annie Rose and big brother Alfie coloring together, splashing in the rain, playing house, pretending, helping mom with the laundry, and winding down for the night. A great read-aloud for children.

Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook, written/illus. by Shel Silverstein, (HarperCollins, 2005),
96p, Ages 8+.
Completed before his death, Silverstein's clever rhymes, spoonerisms and wordplay poems challenge the reader, as well as the listener - "Runny Babbit lent to wunch and heard the saitress way…."

Teddy Bears' Mother Goose, selected & illus. by Michael Hague, (Henry Holt, 2001), 64 p,
Ages 3-8.
From Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Three bears in a Tub, to Diddle Diddle Dumpling, My Bear John, familiar rhymes adapted to teddy bears are featured in either the text or the illustrations.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, written by Mem Fox, illus. by Helen Oxenbury, (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008), 34p, Ages 2+.
In celebration of babies around the world, Mem Fox has created a simple and delightful rhyming book, where babies from a variety of families and regions share a common bond. "There was one little baby/who was born far away./And another who was born/on the very next day./And both of these babies,/as everyone knows,/had ten little fingers/and ten little toes." Little ones will love the rhyming cadence of the text, and parents will enjoy the chance to play with and count their little fingers and toes. The engaging illustrations reveal that babies also have wrinkles, dimples, roly-poly arms, legs, and tummies in common.

There Was a Wee Woman . . ., written by Erica Silverman, illus. by Rosanne Litzinger, (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2008), 32p, Ages 4-8.
"There was a wee woman who lived in a shoe/with her many wee children (their tiny pets too)./Six crammed in a bed, tangled up in a heap./Some wrangled, some dangled. Jack groaned, 'I can't sleep.'" A tiny mother, her redheaded children, and their menagerie of animals search for a new home. They trek over the clothesline, through the garden, past a huge snake, a snarling rat, and across a creek. They try out a birdhouse (not balanced enough), a cradle (motion sickness), and a garden pail. When a giant (a little girl) picks up the pail and spies them, their lives are about to change. Based on a famous nursery rhyme, children will enjoy the wee family's new home-the giant's dollhouse.

This Is the House That Was Tidy & Neat written by Teri Sloat, illus. by R. W. Alley, (Henry Holt Books, 2005), 32p, Ages 4-8.
When Mom leaves for the day, the children and animals experience a series of wacky events involving crumbs, drips, splatters, and spills. The neat and tidy house that Mom left is now a mess. Dad comes home, and with the housekeeper's help, the house again is tidy and neat. Told in cumulative rhyme.

Three Little Kittens, written & illus. by Lorianne Siomades, (Boyds Mills Press. 2000), 24p.,
Ages 2-6.
The three small kittens in this nursery rhyme have lost their mittens. This famous nursery rhyme has entertained children for generations.

Truckery Rhymes, written by Jon Scieszka, illus. by David Shannon, Loren Long, David Gordon, (Simon & Schuster, 2009), 64p, Ages 3-8.
Mother Goose rhymes are the backbone of children's literature. When replaced with lively words to fit Trucktown's boisterous characters, the results are fun read-alouds for children. "Peter Peter Payload Eater/Hit a rock and blew his heater./He roared into the lake and fell./And there he cooled off very well." "Little Miss Muffet" changes to "Little Dan Dumper sat on his bumper,/Taking his break for the day./Along came Pete Loader,/who revved his loud motor,/And frightened Dan Dumper away." Twenty-two famous rhymes and songs will have children begging for more energetic, truckery interpretations.

To Market, to Market, written by Anne Miranda, illus. by Janet Stevens, (Harcourt Brace &
Co., 1997), 36p. Ages 3-7.
This tale begins with the famous nursery rhyme about buying a fat pig, but things run amok when several unruly animals evade capture and prevent the poor shopper from cooking lunch.

Wynken, Blynken, & Nod, written by Eugene W. Field, illus. by David McPhail, (Scholastic, Inc., 2009), 20p, Ages 2+.
Originally published in 1889 and now available in board book, this classic bedtime poem tells of three fishermen, who set sail in a wooden shoe into the night sky in search of fish. With their nets of silver and gold, they meet the Old Moon, who laughs and speeds them along with a song. "All night long their nets they threw/To the stars in the twinkling foam;/Then down from the sky/Came the wooden shoe,/Bringing the fishermen home." Home is a little girl's bedroom, where her mother sings of the fisherman, Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

Zany Zoo, written by William Wise, illus. by Lynn Munsinger, (Houghton Mifflin Co., 2006), 32p, Ages 4-8.
From Daisy, the watermelon eating "melon collie" to four garlic eating rabbits making their hares' breath escape from a fox, the pun-filled, rhyming poems feature an exotic menagerie of creatures with distinct personalities and habits. There are also moral lessons. Tess, the tern, gave her brother a prized flea, and Tom gave her three clams. "For one good tern/Deserves another." Adults will like this one also.