Books Based on Traditional Songs      Books based on Original Songs         Picture Books with a Song in the Story           Books With A Beat   

 

Books listed in red indicates that it was in print as of November 2012.
However, even if a book is out of print, it's worthwhile to check on Amazon every so often as I've often found them still available used, and even new!
Recordings of all traditional versions of these songs are or will be available at on the Song Library page by the end of 2012; so if you have forgotten or don’t know the melody, you’ll be able to hear and download it for free.

Lists by Collections of Author/Illustrator or Song 

Raffi
Down By the Bay

A favorite with all children and great for rhyming. Leave off the last
word of each rhyme as you sing, and let the children fill it in
(They will know what the word is from the illustration).

Five Little Ducks

I love the way this version ends, explaining why the ducks went away!

Spider on the Floor

Fun illustrations with lots of white space, and a good choice for reading (and singing) with a group

The Wheels on the Bus

Nadine Bernard Westcot
(many have been illustrated by Mary Ann Hoberman

Bill Groagan’s Goat
Down By the Bay
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Miss Mary Mack
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Skip to My Lou
The Eensy Weensy Spider
The Lady With the Alligator Purse
There Once Was a Man Named Michael Finnegan
There’s a Hole in My Bucket
Yankee Doodle

Iza Trapani

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
How Much is that Doggy in the Window
I’m a Little Teapot
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
Jingle Bells
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Shoo Fly
The Bear Went Over the Mountain
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star


Jane Cabrera

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
The Wheels on the Bus
One Two Buckle My Shoe
If You’re Happy and YouKnow It
Old Macdonald Had A Farm
Ten in Bed
Over in the Meadow
Old Mother Hubbard

 

 

  I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly 

There are so many versions of I that they deserve their own list! There’s one for just about any topic or theme you could
imagine, and having a familiar melody makes it a popular choice. Most of these are not on the alphabetical list.

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, by Mary Ann Hoberman

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat, by Lucille Colandro

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie, by Alison Jackson\

There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea, by Jennifer Ward

There Was an Odd Princess Who Swallowed a Pea, by Jennifer Ward

There Was an Old fly Who Swallowed a Lady, by Jason Pierce\

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell, by Lucille Colandro

There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick, by Lucille Colandro

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover, by Lucille Colandro

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, by Pam Adams (book with holes)

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose, by Lucille Colandro

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell, by Lucille Colandro

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Trout, by Teri Sloat

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books, by Lucille Colandro

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs, by Johnette Downing

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves, by Lucille Colandro

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow, by Lucille Colandro

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed the Sea, by Pam Adams

There Was an Old Monkey Who Swallowed a Frog, by Jennifer Ward

There Was an Old Monster, by Rebeccas Emberley

There Was an Old Pirate Who Swallowed a Fish, by Jennifer Ward
 

  Picture Books Based on Traditional Songs  
(Alphabetically listed)

 

12 Days of Christmas, by Rachel Isadora

Set in Africa, this beautiful rendition of the classic Christmas carol has a unique twist: colorful icons illustrate the various gifts repeated in each verse of this cumulative song, creating a rebus-style text that gives young children a fun way to follow along and chime in with the lyrics. The gorgeous, wonderfully detailed collage illustrations, comprised of colorful kente cloth and cut paper, feature tribal drummers and dancers, traditional clothing and native wildlife, making every scene as visually striking as the last.

A Hunting We Will Go, by John Langstaff

We'll catch a fox and put him in a box, and then we'll let him go!”
So begins this rollicking folk song that has delighted generations of children and inspired them to make up their own verses. John Langstaff has selected some of the most popular stanzas, both old and new, that are sure to bring out smiles and giggles. Nancy Winslow Parker's pictures join in the fun as a band of intrepid children hunt for the fox, a skunk, and even a brontosaurus with wildly silly results.-
School Library Journal.

Boy on the Bus by Penny Dale

A comically-crowded bus carries a furry, feathered cast of characters in a familiar sing-along with a funny farmyard twist.

Down By the Bay, illustrated by Nadine Westcott (many others by this illustrator)

A family on quiet a trip as they row their boat through the rain and stop for a picnic along the way. Lots of new words, so great for vocabulary!

Cat Goes Fiddle-i-fee

The cartoon illustrations are bright and cheerful, with each new animal being individually introduced on a double-page spread, then joining the other animals under "yonder tree" in the succeeding double-page layouta design device that reinforces the rhythm and balance of the song itself.

Croaky Pokey by Ethan Long

Don't miss the froggy fun in this hopping and bopping version of a favorite traditional song and game.

Five Little Ducks  illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey,

One of Raffi’s “Songs to Read”

Five Little Ducks, by Penny Ives

Bouncy illustrations, innovative die cutting and popular rhymes make Books with Holes a must for every child. Available in three formats, suitable for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and the nursery or classroom.

Go Tell Aunt Rhody  illustrated by Aliki (many others by this illustrator)

Hickory Dickory Dock by Keith Baker

Keith Baker displays his trademark flair for color, movement, and rhythm in this vibrant adaptation of the familiar nursery rhyme "Hickory Dickory Dock. This twist on an old favorite features some serious antics on the part of a busy little mouse. As a huge grandfather clock strikes each hour from one o' clock in the afternoon to midnight, a different animal passes by, and the mouse has a funny interaction with each of them.

I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More, by Karen Beaumont

A dab of blue here, a splash of red there, a goopy smear of green . . . everywhere. To the tune of "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More," one creative kid floods his world with color, painting first the walls, then the ceiling, then HIMSELF! Before this feisty artist is through, he'll have painted his head, back, hands, legs, feet, and . . . Oh no--here comes Mama!

If You’re a Monster and You Know It, by Ed Emberly

Children will stomp their paws, twitch their tails, snort and growl, and wiggle and wriggle along with this bright and bold picture book twist on "If You're Happy and You Know It." Rebecca Emberley has written a rollicking text, which she has illustrated in collaboration with her father, Caldecott Medalist Ed Emberley.

I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello, by Barbara Garriel, illustrated by John

O-Brien This book is a real tongue-twister filled with orchestral instruments and new words.

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie, by Alison Jackson

This very silly version of the old favorite the traditional favorite, and perfect for Thanksgiving.

Jo MacDonald Had a Pond, by Mary Quattlebaum

Old MacDonald had a . . . pond?

Yes! Come along with Jo MacDonald and learn about the wild creatures at the farm pond. You'll find fish, frogs, ducks and a few surprises. This delightful riff on Old MacDonald Had a Farm playfully introduces youngsters to the concept of ecosystems.

Old Macdonald Had a Workshop, by Lisa Shulman

Any tool-loving child will love this version of the traditional song where Old MacDonald is a carpenter sheep who get the other animals to help her out with her projects!

Old MacDonald’s Farm, by Jessica Sounami

Although this is out of print it’s totally worth hunting down! Combines vehicles and animals in a lift-the-flap book of surprises! Bright simple illustraitions and clear bold text make it perfect for early literacy with one child on a lap, or a group read-aloud.

Row Row Row Your Boat, illustrated by Iza Trapani

PreSchool-Gr-1-Clever additional verses make this classic song splendidly unique. With soft watercolors, Trapani depicts a cuddly bear family and pet pup on a boat excursion. They start off leisurely in bright sunshine but soon encounter fallen oars, rapids, and a beaver dam. Stopping for a picnic lunch, they enjoy their meal with all of the forest animals who are "Chomping, snacking, slurping, smacking/What a noisy bunch!" Returning to the boat, they run into bad weather and hurry back to shore. "Raining, hailing, wind is wailing/Hear the thunder roar!" Children will enjoy the rhyming, alliterative language energized by strings of gerunds. Every original verse perfectly matches the traditional melody, and each picture illustrates the action with warmth, excitement, and humor. The music with all of the verses is printed on the last page. Trapani has transformed a simple little song into a delightful adventure.- School Library Journal

She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain, by Jonathan Emmett

This classic song has brand-new verses and enough "tee-hees", "toot-toots", and "squish-splats" to keep kids singin', shoutin', and readin' again and again.

Spider on the Floor, illustrated by True Kelley One of Raffi’s “Songs to Read” series.

As the spider moves from the floor up the character’s body, a variety of improbable animals get caught on the grwoing web,and children can place their pretend spiders on their own bodies as they follow along.

The Bear Went Over the Mountain, illustrated by Iza Trapani

This wonderful and clever version of the traditional song has additional verses for the five senses and the fours seasons. Lots of new words, so it’s a great addition to the classroom and the home.

The Farmer In the Dell, illustrated by Kathy Parkinson

Illustrations follow but extend the original lyrics with sweetness and humor.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider, by Iza Trapani ( many other story song books by this author)

Additional verses take the spider on a fun adventure until at last he ends up napping in his web in the sun. A great read to share with a group or one child.

The Lady With the Alligator Purse, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
The Spooky Wheels on the Bus, by J. Elizabeth Mills.

Count from one to ten goofy ghosts as this Halloween ride races through town picking up a few unsuspecting passengers along the way.

The Seals on the Bus, by Lenny Hort

The animals get out of control on this silly bus ride sung to the familiar tune.
The Wheels on the Bus by Raffi and Sylvie Wickstrom one of the “Raffi Songs to Read” series

The Wheels on the Bus, illustrated by Annie Kubler

There Was a Tree, by Rachel Isadora

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, by Pam Adams

12 (Twelve) Days of Christmas, by Rachel Isadora

Set in Africa, this beautiful rendition of the classic Christmas carol has a unique twist: colorful icons illustrate the various gifts repeated in each verse of this cumulative song, creating a rebus-style text that gives young children a fun way to follow along and chime in with the lyrics. The gorgeous, wonderfully detailed collage illustrations, comprised of colorful kente cloth and cut paper, feature tribal drummers and dancers, traditional clothing and native wildlife, making every scene as visually striking as the last.

Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.

This is an exquisite version of one of the most important children’s songs of all time. Pinkney has stayed true to the original lyrics with a couple of minor execeptions driven by his illustrations). It is my new favorite version of this sweet and magical song. Be sure to read the artist note in the back.

Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star, by Iza Trapani

The magical tale of a young heroine who wishes upon a mischievous, twinkling star. Granting her wish, the little star takes her on a dazzling journey through the swirling, iridescent lights of the night sky.
 

What Shall We Do When We All Go Out, illustrated by Shari Halpern

Great book for the youngest children with simple clear illustrations
 

ADDITIONAL TIPS

Look online or at your library for the following traditional songs to find several versions.
Each version will have unique illustrations and most take the song beyond the traditional lyrics.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
The Wheels on the Bus
The Eensy Weensy Spider / The Isty Bitsy Spider

Mary Had a Little Lamb
She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain
The Ants Go Marching One by One