8 children’s books featuring rhyme and alliteration
Expert reviewed by Elizabeth Babbin, EdD
Books with rhymes or repeated sounds are fun and entertaining for young children. They can also help kids develop phonological awareness. And that skill can make learning to read, write, and spell a lot easier. Here are eight great books that feature rhyme or alliteration.
Jake Bakes Cakes: A Silly Rhyming Children’s Picture Book, by Gerald Hawksley
Jake’s a busy baker, and custom cakes are his specialty. He bakes cheesecake for mice, banana cakes for monkeys, pumpkin cakes for witches and their cats, and a whole lot more. But kids will be surprised by what Jake does when his workday is over. A rhyming story line and colorful cake illustrations make Jake Bakes Cakes a fun choice for young kids.
Typically recommended for kids: Ages 3–5
Sheep in a Jeep, by Nancy Shaw
“Beep! Beep! Sheep in a jeep on a hill that’s steep.” In this wild tale, five reckless sheep go on a road trip and get themselves into a muddy mess. The sheep’s antics are told with goofy sound effects and catchy rhymes in Sheep in a Jeep. And that combination makes for an engaging read.
Typically recommended for kids: Ages 2–6
There’s a Wocket in My Pocket, by Dr. Seuss
Where can you find a zower in the shower, a nupboard in the cupboard, and a nooth grush on the toothbrush? In this beloved Dr. Seuss book, of course! Nonsensical words and silly pictures make There’s a Wocket in My Pocket as fun for kids today as it was when it was first published back in 1974. Kids love to read this book over and over again (and so do their parents).
Typically recommended for kids: Ages 2–7
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Skit, skat, skoodle, doot. Flip, flop, flee. In this attitude-filled rhyming book, the letters of the alphabet race up a coconut tree. But the weight of the 26 letters is too much for the tree to bear. The vivid illustrations in Chicka Chicka Boom Boom grab kids’ attention while introducing them to the alphabet.
Typically recommended for kids: Ages 3–5
Dinorella: A Prehistoric Fairy Tale, by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Yes, it’s a Cinderella story with a dinosaur spin! But this damsel is not in distress. (She does have two dreadful stepsisters and a Fairy-dactyl who helps her get dressed up for the dance, though.) In fact, it’s Dinorella who saves the prince in this retelling. This book has a lot of alliteration, focusing on the repeated “d” sound.
Typically recommended for kids: Ages 5–9
Some Smug Slug, by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Kids like to listen to this “s”-filled tale about a smug slug who seldom swerves or straggles — or sways or skews for that matter. As he makes his way up a slope, his friends shout out warnings, which he’s too proud to pay attention to. A fun bonus: the letter “s” is hidden within the illustrations on each page of Some Smug Slug.
Typically recommended for kids: Ages 4–8
Princess Prunella and the Purple Peanut, by Margaret Atwood
How can a purple peanut make a proud and prissy princess a better person? You’ll find out when you read this charming book from acclaimed novelist Margaret Atwood. The repetitive “p” sound packs a powerful punch. After all, it’s the story of a pampered princess who lives in a pink palace with her pinheaded parents, her three plump pussycats, and her prize puppydog.
Typically recommended for kids: Ages 4–8
A Little Book of Alliterations, by Felix Archer
Claude the cockroach consumes carrots. Edward envies Eva’s eggs. This same-sound romp takes kids on a lively trip through the alphabet. Clever word combinations are paired with quirky illustrations. Together they help make A Little Book of Alliterations a favorite for young kids.
Typically recommended for kids: Ages 5–9
Find more books that feature rhyme and wordplay. Check out the Book Finder tool from our founding partner, Reading Rockets.