Thematic Reading List: Tap me a Rhythm, Sing me a Song

Great books for kids ages 0-3 who love rhythm and music. These selections include a blend of traditional favorites and new hits that inspire movement and participation. Readers of all ages will enjoy sharing these books with their youngest family members, especially reading them aloud. Don’t be surprised if these books are requested over and over again!
Contributed by: Mary Lanni

	A-Tisket, A-Tasket By: Ella Fitzgerald Illustrated by: Ora Eitan A-tisket, a-tasket, a green-and-yellow basket . . . a little girlie picked it up and took it to the market! Everyone knows these lyrics. But Ora Eitan’s wonderfully spirited art truly brings Ella Fitzgerald’s adaptation of the nursery rhyme to life with bright cut-paper images seeming to jump off the page. Was it red? No, no, no, no. Was it brown? No, no, no, no. . . . And if that girlie don’t return it, I don’t know what I will do. This is sassy, sweet, pure springtime fun.
	Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By: Bill Martin Illustrated by: Eric Carle Children see a variety of animals, each one a different color, and a teacher looking at them. Includes note to parents and teachers, and related activities.
	We’re Going on a Bear Hunt By: Michael Rosen Illustrated by: Helen Oxenbury Brave bear hunters go through grass, a river, mud, and other obstacles before the inevitable encounter with the bear forces a headlong retreat. On board pages.
	Jazz Baby By: Lisa Wheeler Illustrated by: R. Gregory Christie Baby and his family make some jazzy music.
	The Babies on the Bus By: Karen Katz Presents lyrics to the well-known song, interspersed with additional verses about babies.
	Down by the Station By: Jennifer Riggs Vetter Illustrated by: Frank Remkiewicz This illustrated version of the traditional song expands and describes more vehicles, different locations, and their unique sounds, from puffer-billies to racecars and rockets.
	Tanka Tanka Skunk! By: Steve Webb This book uses animal names to introduce rhythmic language and rhyme, as Tanka the elephant and his friend Skunk play drums to keep the beat.
	Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush By: Jane Cabrera A version of the well-known song featuring animals going to school, learning, going home, and getting ready for bed.
	Hot Potato Hot Potato By: The Wiggles A rainy day sees the Wiggles playing a game of hot potato with Henry the Octopus. On board pages.
	The More We Get Together By: Caroline Jayne Church Two young friends celebrate how the more they get together the happier they are, in an illustrated version of the classic song. On board pages.