Nursery Rhymes Definition
Nursery rhymes help children with language development and take the form of poems and songs.
Juvenile poetry
A Foot in the Mouth by
Turn up the sound! An award-winning duo returns with a playfully enticing ode to the pleasures of reading poetry aloud. Whether rhyming, tongue-tying, or defying structure, here are more than three dozen poems that simply beg to be read aloud. The creators of A Poke in the I and A Kick in the Head complete a triplet with this collection of lively rhymes and tricky tongue twisters, poems for more than one voice, bilingual poems -- and poems that may just inspire kids to memorize them. Paul B. Janeczko offers a range of gems, from classic Shakespeare and Lear to anonymous rhymes to contemporary riffs on everything under the sun, while Chris Raschka counterpoints with the vibrant accents of his wittily detailed artwork.
Call Number: PS586.3 .F66 2009ISBN: 9780763606633Publication Date: 2009-03-10
Twas the Night Before Christmas by
It's a quiet Christmas Eve. The snow is fresh and white, the kids are tucked in and dreaming, and even the mice are snug in their homes. But wait--what's that clatter? This classic Christmas poem was first published anonymously in a newspaper 1823, and it later appeared in an anthology of poetry from the American author Clement Clarke Moore in 1844. This unabridged version from a 1912 edition includes color illustrations from American artist Jessie Willcox Smith.
Call Number: GT4985 .M667 2015 EbookISBN: 9781467787413Publication Date: 2015-01-01
Wish by
Farmers in an alpine valley are haunted by Faengler, a cunning old enchanter who ruins their lives by using an ancient wishing chain of powerful stones to spoil crops, and steal children, cows and goats. Young Berwald and his sister, Clara, set out without their parents knowing, to climb into the next valley, seize the chain, free their neighbourhood of fear, and wish for whatever they want. But they soon find the wild world beyond their home is full of strange forces, some good, some dark and twisted, and almost every wish they make adds new complications and disagreements. Who can rescue them from this fearful and dangerous adventure? Before Adam, their angry and worried father, can reach them, he must learn to follow leads that seem to be of no use and listen carefully to the tale that lies behind the villain's bitterness."
Call Number: PR6039.O34 W5 2010ISBN: 9781449096526Publication Date: 2010-07-02
A Visit to William Blake's Inn by
Inspired by William Blake's Songs of Innocence andSongs of Experience,this delightful collection of poetry for children brings to life Blake's imaginary inn and its unusual guests.
Call Number: PS3573.I444 V5 1981ISBN: 0152938222Publication Date: 1981-09-08
Nursery Rhymes and Stories in Rhyme
Beatrix Potter's Nursery Rhyme Book by Call Number: PR6031.O72 Z56 1995ISBN: 0723242496Publication Date: 1995-10-01
Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes by Call Number: PZ7.P85 App 1987ISBN: 0723234817Publication Date: 1987-09-01
My Very First Mother Goose by
To a small child, words are magical. And the most magical of all are the beloved, venerable words of Mother Goose. Now folklorist Iona Opie has gathered more than sixty treasured rhymes in their most perfect, honest form. From "Hey Diddle, Diddle" and "Pat-a-Cake" to "Little Jack Horner" and "Pussycat, Pussycat," these are familiar verses that have been passed from parent to child for generations; these are the rhymes that are every child's birthright. With watercolors by Rosemary Wells that may prove equally enduring, MY VERY FIRST MOTHER GOOSE captures the simple joy and the sly humor that are the essence of Mother Goose. Parents and children will find themselves exploring this volume together, savoring delightful details and funny surprises on every page. This is a book that promises hours of quiet smiles and merry grins for readers of all ages.
Call Number: PZ8.3 .M9926 1996ISBN: 1564026205Publication Date: 1996-09-02
Sing to the Sun by
Best known for his retellings of African folktales and for his collections of African-American spirituals, noted illustrator Ashley Bryan has created his first book of original poetry. Bryan's 23 poems and dazzling pictures speak to the heart and the soul. Full color.
Call Number: PZ8.3.B7 Si 1992ISBN: 9780060208295Publication Date: 1992-09-01
Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose by
More than a dozen favorite nursery rhymes are presented in this unique edition of Mother Goose. All of the rhymes are illustrated with full-color paintings accompanied by 389 drawings showing the verses in Signed English. Signed English can help children learn articles, conjunctions, and other parts of speech in addition to grammar.
Call Number: PZ8.3.B6485 Nu 1992ISBN: 0930323998Publication Date: 1972-01-01
Half a Moon and One Whole Star by
A soothing, evocative poem about night falling over a young girl'​s home and neighborhood is brought to life by the lush artwork of Caldecott Medal winner Jerry Pinkney in this bedtime treasure. Up above the earth so far Hang half a moon and one whole star Hang one whole star and half a moon; Nighttime will be coming soon. And while a young girl sleeps, nighttime deepens in vivid harmony all around her--in the woods and garden, on the ocean, in the city, and on the porch, where her parents sit.
Call Number: PZ8.3.D77 Hal 1990ISBN: 0689714157Publication Date: 1990-09-30
Joyful Noise by
From the Newbery Medal-winning author of Seedfolks, Paul Fleischman, Joyful Noise is a collection of irresistible poems that celebrates the insect world. Funny, sad, loud, and quiet, each of these poems resounds with a booming, boisterous, joyful noise. The poems resound with the pulse of the cicada and the drone of the honeybee. They can be fully appreciated by an individual reader, but they're particularly striking when read aloud by two voices, making this an ideal pick for classroom use. Eric Beddows′s vibrant drawings send each insect soaring, spinning, or creeping off the page in its own unique way. With Joyful Noise, Paul Fleischman created not only a fascinating guide to the insect world but an exultant celebration of life.
Call Number: PZ8.3.F54 Jo 1988ISBN: 9780060218522Publication Date: 1988-03-01
Horton Hatches the Egg by
Generations of children have fallen in love with Horton the elephant! "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. . . . An elephant's faithful, one hundred per cent!" Horton is kind and trustworthy, but unfortunately, the lazy bird Mayzie takes advantage of his good nature when she leaves Horton to watch her unhatched egg. Told with Dr. Seuss's signature rhymes and trademark illustrations, this is a tale that will be enjoyed over and over, by reader and listener alike. And don't miss another delightful tale about this beloved pachyderm: Horton Hears a Who!
Call Number: PZ8.3.G276 Hot 1968ISBN: 0394900774Publication Date: 1940-10-12
The Creation by
A poem based on the story of creation in the Bible. An ALA Notable Book. Winner Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.
Call Number: PZ8.3.J62625 Cre 1994ISBN: 0823410692Publication Date: 1994-03-01
Wild about Books by
OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES SOLD! Winner of the E.B. White Read Aloud Award It started the summer of 2002, when the Springfield librarian, Molly McGrew, by mistake drove her bookmobile into the zoo. In this rollicking rhymed story, Molly introduces birds and beasts to this new something called reading. She finds the perfect book for every animal--tall books for giraffes, tiny ones for crickets. "She even found waterproof books for the otter, who never went swimming without Harry Potter." In no time at all, Molly has them "forsaking their niches, their nests, and their nooks," going "wild, simply wild, about wonderful books." Judy Sierra's funny animal tale coupled with Marc Brown's lush, fanciful paintings will have the same effect on young Homo sapiens. Altogether, it's more fun than a barrel of monkeys!
Call Number: PZ8.3.S577 Wi 2004ISBN: 037582538XPublication Date: 2004-08-10
Another Important Book by
In a playful voice that is uniquely Margaret Wise Brown's comes this delightful picture book about just what it means to be six, five, four, three, one, two, and "most importantly" you. Caldecott Honor Medalist Chris Raschka's innovative illustrations burst with energy and dance along with Brown's whimsical verses of discovery. "Energetic artwork and vivacious verse delineate the wonders children discover and the milestones they reach, from ages one to six. A joyful book with a timeless theme," said School Library Journal. Another Important Book is an invitation to celebrate toddlerhood. Turn the pages to celebrate exactly what's so important about some of the most important ages of a child's life. This is the never-before-published companion to one of Margaret Wise Brown's most beloved children's books of all time, The Important Book. The Important thing about being One is that life has just begun.
Call Number: PZ8.3.B815 An 1999ISBN: 0060262826Publication Date: 1999-09-22
Street Rhymes Around the World by
Boyds Mills Press publishes a wide range of high-quality fiction and nonfiction picture books, chapter books, novels, and nonfiction
Call Number: PZ10.5 .S87 2000ISBN: 1563978946Publication Date: 2000-10-01
Nursery Rhymes & Stories in Rhyme Authors
Beatrix Potter (1866-1943)
Theodor Seuss Geise [Dr. Seuss] (1904-1991)
Margaret Brown (1910-1952)
Iona Opie (1923-2017)
Paul Fleischman (1952-present)
Timeline
1729 - Perrault, Tales of Mother Goose is translated from French to English.
1817 - Mother Goose's Melody is published.
1824 - The term "nursery rhyme" first appears.
18th century - Nursery rhymes become prominent in literature meant for children.
Reference Resources About Nursery Rhymes
- Cradle and All by "From earliest childhood the nursery rhyme, one of the most captivating genres in our popular culture, has transmitted powerful messages to the child who hears it. These meanings may not be the ones adults perceive or intend, for such didactic precepts as the beneficial need of self-control, social order, and academic responsibility also can be weighted with sadistic, angry connotations that lie deep in the human spirit." "In Cradle and All nursery rhymes are shown to be both the instruments that tell children of the mortal hunger for understanding and the ones that reveal to them the bewildering failure of human beings to control the forces in the natural world that oppose them. Thus in bearing a double load of meanings nursery rhymes remove the blinders and push children toward the life of contrasts that abound in their culture." "This fascinating examination of the pervasive influence of nursery rhymes reveals patterns of psychological and cultural meaning in a broad range of rhymes, grouping them according to basic subject matter: animal rhymes, courtship and marriage rhymes, lullabies and amusements, and didactic rhymes." "Combining the tools of psychoanalysis, literary criticism, folklore studies, cultural history, and cultural anthropology, Cradle and All explores meanings and motives that lie deep in many rhymes that are the fundamental literature of the nursery this illuminating study also assesses attempts to sanitize rhymes by removing elements that some deem as needlessly violent, antisocial, and sexist." "Cradle and All is unique in its analytical treatment of a large number of rhymes grouped in broad subject areas. In its diverse and comprehensive approach it will appeal to all who enjoy the lore of childhood literature." "In reflecting the complex world of kindness and cruelty, history and fantasy, morality and amorality peace and aggression, and the multitude of paradoxical forces that permeate human life, nursery rhymes offer vivid truths to the impressionable senses of children."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights ReservedISBN: 9780878055562Publication Date: 1992-05-01
Scholarly Articles About Nursery Rhymes
Rhymes, Nursery Rhymes, and Reading in Early Childhood by Morag Maclean, Peter Bryant, and Lynette Bradley
Nursery Rhymes: Mirrors of a Culture by Roberta Hawkins
ASL Nursery Rhymes: Exploring a Support for Early Language and Emergent Literacy Skills for Signing Deaf Children by Jean Andrews and Sharon Baker