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BostonPL_Sing: 13 Board Books to Support Early Literacy

Singing is one of the five early literacy practices outlined by the Every Child Ready to Read initiative. Well before they can speak, infants and toddlers understand a lot. The more words little ones hear, the larger their vocabularies will grow and the more they will ultimately be able to read and write. When we sing words, we slow them down so that young children can process them more easily. The rhythms of songs also emphasize the smaller sounds that make up words (phonemes). As we bounce infants to the rhythms of songs, and as toddlers dance and move to songs, little ones strengthen the phonemic awareness that they will need when they eventually learn to sound out words at school. And singing is just plain fun, which reading should be as well! Check out these books to sing, move, and read with your infant or toddler.

Boston Public Library

13 items

  • Presents lullabies, finger plays, nursery rhymes, games, riddles, proverbs, and more in Spanish and English.
    Unknown, 2019New York : Hyperion Books, 2019.
  • Presents bilingual versions of the Mexican song traditionally sung at birthdays and "Happy Birthday to You."
    Unknown, 2017[Corte Madera, California] : Encantos Media Studios, [2017]
  • To the tune of "Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" comes a new bedtime story that's sure to get little ones excited about the solar system while learning new facts about each planet!
    Unknown, 2018Naperville : Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, and imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc., [2018]
  • Baby Shark

    Based on the World's Catchiest Song : [Board Book]

    A trip to the aquarium takes a fun turn when a few young visitors spot baby shark. The children dance and cheer, doing all the Baby Shark dance moves as baby is joined by mama, papa, grandma, and grandpa shark.
    Unknown, 2020New York, New York : Henry Holt and Company, 2020
  • An illustrated presentation of the classic Sesame Street song about self-expression and the celebration of music.
    Unknown, 2016New York : Henry Holt and Company, 2016.
  • Cute babies take a classic song on a bus ride through town.
    Unknown, 2013New York, New York : Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2013.
  • Children are able to communicate by signing before they develop the skills necessary for speech. Babies sign along to "Five Little Ducks."
    Book, 2013Swindon, UK : Child's Play (International) Ltd, [2013] — J BOARD FIVE LITTLE DUCKS
  • All the neighborhood animals - from a puppy with heart-shaped spots to a cuddly pig in a scarf - brave the cold to play together and go 'round the mulberry bush.
    Unknown, 2019[New York] : Holiday House, 2019.
  • Inspired by one of the oldest and most beloved traditional Spanish folk songs, 'De Colores' (In Colors), this book will introduce little ones to the beauty of life, joy, inclusivity, and their first English and Spanish words.
    Book, 2019[Los Angeles, California] : Lil Libros, 2019. — J BOARD RODRIGUE P
  • A lilting lullaby from the bottom of the sea.
    Book, 2019New York, New York : Little Simon, 2019. — J BOARD YOLEN J
  • Perfect Piggies

    a Book! a Song! : a Celebration!

    Boynton, Sandra
    Piggies rock! Did you ever see noses so wonderfully round? Where else could these curly little tails be found?
    Book, 2010New York, Ny : Workman Pub. Co., [2010] — Boy
  • As daddy cradles his baby girl, she is suddenly whisked away on a fantastical adventure.
    Book, 2010New York : LB Kids, 2010. — Asi
  • This sleepy dino board book is a prehistoric twist on the popular bedtime lullaby, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!"
    Book, 2019New York : Little Simon, 2019 — J BOARD BURTON J