When you think of nursery rhymes, you think of your childhood. This poetic version of storytelling teaches tradition, relays information, and can become a common cultural thread through generations. Rhyming and singing also help your child learn new words and develop listening and memory skills to become a strong and independent lifelong reader. 

Below is a selection of books with some of the most beloved nursery rhymes from all over the world to showcase people from different countries and cultures. Use these titles with your young ones to learn and embrace other stories and traditions and to discover how similar we are to one another. 

Many of these titles are available through our SimplyE app.

Diez Deditos & Other Play Rhymes & Action Songs from Latin America by Jose Luis Orozco, illustrated by Elisa Kleven

Skip Across the Ocean: Nursery Rhymes From Around the World by By Floella Benjamin, illustrated by Sheila Moxley

Pio peep!: rimas tradicionales en espanol = traditional Spanish nursery rhymes by Alma Flor Ada, illustrated by Viví Escrivá (bilingual)

Over the Hills and Far Away: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes collected by Elizabeth Hammill, illustrated by Patrice Aggs 

Yĩ ér sãn: my first Chinese nursery rhymes by Jie Mu

Tortillitas para mamá and other nursery rhymes by elected and translated by Margot C. Griego, illustrated by Barbara Cooney 

Nursery Tales Around the World selected and retold by Judy Sierra; illustrated by Stefano Vitale

Dzhil i bobovy̌i stebelʹ = Jill and the beanstalk Джил и бобовый стебель / by Manju Gregory, illustrated by David Anstey (Russian)

Dragon Kites and Dragonflies: A Collection of Chinese Nursery Rhymes by Demi, 

Songs in the Shade of the Cashew and Coconut Trees: Lullabies and Nursery Rhymes from West Africa and the Caribbean collected by Nathalie Soussana, illustrated by Judith Gueyfier

Korean Nursery Rhymes: Wild Geese, Land of Goblins and Other Favorite Songs and Rhymes by Danielle Wright, illustrated by Helen Acraman 

Maria Had a Little Llama / María tenía una llamita by Angela Dominguez (bilingual e-book) 

Let's Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout; Dance, Spin & Turn It Out!: Games, Songs, and Stories from an African American  Childhood by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Brian Pinkney (e-book)

Additional Resources

• Early Literacy at The New York Public Library
• Nursery Rhymes and the Anti-Bias Classroom from Social Justice Books
• Mama Lisa’s World
• Embracing Diversity: Your Songs and Rhymes from the Burnaby Public Library

This list was compiled by Amber Certain, Grace Dwyer, Tessa Hamilton, and Tiffany James from the School Outreach Department.