Our Favorite Sing-Along Books (Folk and Classic Songs)

 I recently shared some of our favorite sing-along books that are based on hymns HERE. Today I am sharing more sing-along titles we enjoy. These are based on folk songs as well as more recent classics, all of which are songs I want to familiarize Elliot. Many of these are fun, while others are soothing songs that help him when he's having big emotions. Research shows that combining reading and music together  is an exceptional way to boost vocabulary, teach rhythm and rhyming, and accentuate different parts of a word or phrase that may be missed in a regular reading voice. And my own personal experience will add that it's just so fun for both the reader and child to add some variety to read-alouds.

Many of these were available at our public library, so I hope you canals easily find a few to read/sing with the little ones in your life! There are many variations of some of the books below, but the ones mentioned are the ones we ended up choosing and enjoying. In my opinion, they are all appropriate for infants to preschoolers. The youngest baby will enjoy the melody and rhyming text while older kids will love joining in the singing and movements. 

Over in the Meadow: A Counting Rhyme (based on poem by Olive A. Wadsworth, illustrated by Anna Vojtech)

This was the first sing-along book I read to Elliot and it is very special to us. It has calmed him down many a times while hurrying home from a long walk at naptime when he was getting grumpy as a baby and now he still loves it as a toddler. Such a darling poem that includes woodland animals and numbering from one to ten. There are several versions of this beloved classic poem, but the illustrations in this one are my favorite. 

Over in the Arctic: Where the Cold Winds Blow (by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Jill Dubin)

Using the tune of the classic “Over in the Meadow”, this version is all about arctic animals. We learned about a lot of arctic animals through this fun book. Creative illustrations from torn paper makes it very unique. Lots of counting practice!

Over in the Ocean: In A Coral Reef  (by 

Marianne Berkes, 

 illustrated by 

Jeanette Canyon)

Also sung to the tune of Over in the Meadow, this version is all about ocean animals. The illustrations are shaped entirely from polymer clay! So unique, vibrant, and skilled artwork. The bright colors and creative art made it very fun to look at.  It was great practice for counting as well.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (adapted and illustrated by Jane Cabrera)

The first page is the original nursery rhyme and the rest includes new lyrics. A cute dog and cat row their boat down a stream, and the new rhymes are all about meeting different kinds of animals, like swimming mice, a lion, tiger, and elephant. Incredibly adorable. This was one of the first sing-along books I read to Elliot and it was the gateway to this fun illustrator! I requested all books with nursery rhymes by Jane Cabrera (there are a lot!!)  which was a great way to start familiarizing myself with sing-along books since her books showcase well-known children's folk songs.

The Bear Went Over the Mountain (adapted and illustrated by Jane Cabrera)

Just like Cabrera’s other delightful books, it takes a well-known song and adds new lyrics, coupled with her signature vibrant  and thickly-brushed illustrations. A bear and a slew of other woodland go over the mountain and have a big jamboree on the other side.

The Wheels on the Bus  (adapted and illustrated by Jane Cabrera)

Fun book with different lyrics than the original song; this time the bus is driven by a giraffe and the passengers are Safari animals. Other Jane Cabrera songs we enjoyed as well:If You're Happy and You Know It and Rock-a-bye Baby

Mockingbird (illustrated and adapted by Allan Ahlberg)

It's a bit embarrassing that I was first introduced to this darling lullaby when watching Dumb and Dumber ("Mock... yeah!"),  but this precious adaptation has become a top favorite. The illustrations of a Victorian-era family preparing for an infant's first birthday, with each family member bringing a different gift that each goes awry, is just too darling. 

Hush Little Baby (illustrated and adapted by Sylvia Long)

This is a darling version of Mockingbird by Sylvia Long, whose illustrations are always so realistic while also whimsical with woodland creatures doing human things, like getting for bed. The lyrics are all different than the original, but still endearing as a mama rabbit puts her bunny to sleep.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (Sylvia Long)

Another calming lullaby adapted and illustrated with Sylvia Long's sweet woodland animals as they head towards home to get ready for bed.

Old Macdonald's Things That Go (by Jane Clarke, illustrated by Migy Blanco)

Elliot’s heard the Old Macdonald song many times, so he recognized the tune as I sand-read this new version to him, but he definitely noticed the difference: it’s all about Old Macdonalds many modes of transportation, from bikes to planes and trains! So fun!

Baby Beluga (song by Raffi, illustrated by Ashley Wolff)

I didn't grow up with Raffi songs, though some of the melodies were vaguely familiar. We borrowed Baby Beluga during our arctic unit in September and adored it, especially when paired with Raffi's voice singing it. Such a sweet melody that is sure to get stuck in your head, but I didn't mind! Our first, but certainly not our last, Raffi book/song!

Down by the Bay (adapted by Raffi, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott)

Raffi’s hilarious version of this kids song with equally hilarious illustrations. We enjoyed hearing the song sung by Raffi while following along as well as me singing it without any extra music. It’s just such a silly book/song! 

Mary Had A Little Lamb (illustrated and adapted by Mary Ann Hoberman)

We just adore this this version of the well-known nursery rhyme with it's  silly illustrations and just an overall cute arrangement of lyrics (the original plus some new ones)

5 Little Ducks (adapted and illustrated by Denise Fleming)

The lovable song has a fresh update, with Daddy Duck in charge of the five wandering ducklings (except for at the end, Mama shows up in a cute way). The illustrations are unique, with pulp printing (paper-making technique). 

Shoo Fly! (illustrated by Iza Trapani)

The funny folk song with hilarious new lyrics, from an exasperated mouse’s perspective. Elliot giggles every time we read this book. That poor mouse goes through a lot to get rid of that pesky fly!

Sing With Me! Action Songs Every Child Should Know (by Naoko Stoop)

Interactive “action” songs with short descriptions on how to do the hand/body motions. Elliot loved using a stuffed bear to act out these songs while I sang them: "Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes", "Pat-a-Cake",  "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear". Other songs include "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and" "Itsy, Bitsy Spider." Naoko Stoop's darling illustrations are always sweet and engaging.

The Farmer and the Dell (illustrated by Ilse Plume)

I wasn’t familiar with this old folk song other than the general melody, but we enjoyed it a lot. The illustrations of a Pennsylvania Dutch family on their farmstead is gentle and reminds me of simpler times. There are instructions on the last page to play the circle game based on this song. I still don't know what a 'dell' is though! 

If You're Happy and You Know It: Jungle Edition (adapted and illustrated by James Warhola)

Elliot loves jungle animals, so he was all over this. Fun illustrations of siblings playing on a jungle-themed playground and the animals (lions, snake, elephant, orangutan, etc) come alive to sing the song with them. 

Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? ( adaptation by 

Bonnie Lass & 

 

Philemon Sturges, illustrated by 

 

Ashley Wolff)

A fun book about guessing who took the cookies from Skunk’s cookie jar. It loosely follows the kid’s song by the same title. 

Down by the Station (by Jess Stockham)

We love this sing-along book with cut-outs of each vehicle for each verse. Elliot loves fire engines and trains, so those are his favorite pages. 

What A Wonderful World (illustrated by Tim Hopgood)

This classic Louis Armstrong song (probably his most famous) was first recorded in 1967 and is still recognizable generation after generation. Tim's vibrant illustrations of children playing make this sweet song relatable for kids as they are introduced to this sweet song. Elliot enjoyed this calming song and I just adore this song so it was a joy to sing it every time as we enjoyed the illustrations together.

Singing in the Rain (song by 

Arthur Freed & 

 

Nacio Herb Brown, 

 illustrations by 

Tim Hopgood)

🎶I’m singing in my brain, just singing this song in my brain🎶. Really, it’s stuck in my brain! Lol. What a fun book to read and introduce Elliot to this classic song. We found a short clip of the song from the classic movie on YouTube and he loved that too. From the illustrator of What A Wonderful World, also beautifully illustrated with lyrics from the Louis Armstrong song.

Every Little Thing: Based on the Song 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley (adapted by Dedella Marley Booker)

I have long enjoyed the soothing Bob Marley song “Three Little Birds”, so this kids version adapted by his oldest daughter was fun. The illustrations were vibrant and sweet about a boy going about his day, from playing soccer with friends to accidentally making a mess while baking, it showcases many different emotions.

Elvis Presley's Love Me Tender (illustrated by Stephanie Graegin)

A variety of families are showcased as they tenderly love their babies from the early days to the first day of preschool. Sweet illustrations. FYI there is a same-sex couple in the book, just in case any parents are trying to avoid certain conversations/exposure at a young age. Elliot loves pointing to moms and dads in books and then pointing to us, so for those illustrations, I just mentioned there were two moms and left it at that.