Rhyming books

Here are a few of my favorite rhyming books for preschoolers.

Dinner at the Panda Palace by Stephanie Calmenson is a wonderful introduction to animals and counting. Mr. Panda opens his restaurant to one and all...and in come the animals by the droves. I love how the type of animals fits each number...for example, 3 little pigs who are looking for some place to hide, 8 dressed-up penguins out for a night on the town, 1 mother hen and 9 chicks.

Farm Flu by Teresa Bateman is also lots of fun. It tells the story of a little boy who takes care of the animals on the farm "just as my mother would do" when one by one, the animals all come down with the flu. Great rhymes and rhythms, and the pictures are fun.

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anne Dewdney is a great story of a little llama who is tucked into bed by his mama and then creates "llama drama" when his mama doesn't come right away to answer his call. Good book to teach kids to wait for their mommies and daddies instead of immediately assuming the worst.

Finally, Fireman Small to the Rescue by Wong Herbert Yee is my favorite of the Fireman Small books. This tiny board book has great sound effects to read out loud, and the text and pictures clearly communicate the urgency of responding to a fire and the relief when Fireman Small saves the day!