Best Books that Are Also Songs

Reading in the first year of your child’s life will help you child with speech, vocabulary, and general learning. Just as fun, if not more so, are song books. These are books based on song lyrics. Or, if not based on popular songs, you can easily learn to sing along with them. These are my favorite song books.

Song Books

1. Chicka, Chicka Boom Boom

Join the whole alphabet as they climb the coconut tree. But be careful, Chicka, Chicka Boom, Boom they all fall down. I have a song version of this book and I don’t know where I got it from, but I know you can find song versions of it online as well.

2. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

Join baby as they dance along, touching each of their body parts. Sing this much loved song as you turn each page.

3, If You're Happy and You Know It

Clap along, dance along, roll along, and wag along with this classic. With animal actions, If You’re Happy and You Know It extends beyond the 3 movements we are all so familiar with and gives you something to really get up and groove to.

4. Mary Had a Little Lamb

Mary Had a Little Lamb and one day it didn’t follow her to school. Instead it walked about the barn yard and got into all sorts of messes.

5. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

A simple Youtube search will help you get the tune for these groovy buttons. A fun counting and singing book.

6. Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes

There is a whole Pete the Cat series by James Dean, but I specifically like the books by Eric Litwin. Sing along with Pete and his Love for his shoes, no matter what color they might be.

7. Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes

Even as I write this, I’m singing “I’m rocking, in my school shoes“. I don’t know, there is just something about these books in particular. I love the simple songs and positive messages.

8. Pierre: A Cautionary Tale

An oldie but goodie, Pierre is a cautionary tale about not caring. I adore this book. It’s written in a way that makes it very easy to turn into a song. However, I personally adore the version sung by The Dresden Dolls and highly encourage you to look that up.