World Nursery Rhyme Week is an initiative celebrating the importance of nursery rhymes in early childhood development. The catchy rhyming text, repetition, and fun all help children develop important early literacy skills.
Unfortunately, much like many of the books we find on the shelves of the schools we serve here in the Bay Area, the Mother Goose nursery rhymes are out of step with the lives of the students living here today. They are very Anglo-centric, at a time when many schools serve majority non-white students. They also are culturally dissonant and full of references many children simply do not understand. Fortunately, there are many wonderful texts that bring more cultural relevance and diversity to the canon of nursery rhymes. Featured here are four books that do just that.
By Nina Crews
Ages 4-8
Every day, children the world over sing, shout, and celebrate Mother Goose rhymes. And now there's a new reason to cheer: Nina Crews has added her own remarkable, jazzy style of illustration to a collection of forty-one favorite verses. Whether it's Jack jumping over a candlestick (atop a cupcake), Georgie Porgie kissing the girls (at the playground), or a fine lady riding a white horse (on the carousel), this exuberant treasury is sure to be read and enjoyed over and over again.
By Margot C. Griego; plus, more
Ages 4-8
Young children will treasure this collection of Latin-American nursery rhymes. Preserved through oral tradition, these rhymes have been passed on from generation to generation. They have been lovingly gathered and translated for this book and many are accompanied by instructions for finger play.
By Nina Crews
Ages 4-8
Nina Crews brings her energetic style of illustration to this collection of thirty-four perennial favorites. From "Miss Mary Mack" (watching fireworks from her balcony) to "London Bridge" (built by a brother and sister in the living room) to "Skip to My Lou" (in a rolling green park), the songs make this companion to the acclaimed The Neighborhood Mother Goose a treasure for every child in every neighborhood.
By Nikki Giovanni; plus, more
Ages 5-11
The poetry is enough.The illustrations are enough.The CD is enough.Together, this book is a treasure of which you cannot get enough.We shall accomplish much this year. Children will be encouraged to put their words to poetry and beats. Teachers will be encouraged to allow the artists to speak to children.—Diane Chen, School Library Journal blog "Practically Paradise"
All book recommendations were provided by Social Justice Books, Nursery Rhymes and the Anti-Bias Classroom. SocialJusticeBooks.org is a project of Teaching for Change, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide teachers and parents with the tools to create schools where students learn to read, write and change the world.
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