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BostonPL_Sing: 11 eBooks 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 and preschoolers 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 little one.

Boston Public Library

11 items

  • "Los Pollitos Dicen" is one of the most popular songs in the Spanish speaking world. This Italian/Spanish bilingual adaptation of the song is as catchy and lyrical as the Spanish version and sure to engage new audiences.
    eBookEncantos Media, 2016
  • Cute babies take a classic song on a bus ride through town.
    eBookHenry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2011
  • All around the world, from the dry desert to the wet jungle, from the sleeping city to the icy pole, baby animals and their parents are sharing the wonder of a twinkling star.
    eBookHoliday House, 2012
  • Hey-Ho, to Mars We'll Go!

    A Space-Age Version of "The Farmer in the Dell"

    Lendroth, SusanKolar, Bob
    Set to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell," this jaunty journey follows five adorable, bobble-headed astronauts as they learn how to bathe in zero gravity, grow veggies in space, and entertain themselves on the six-month trip.
    eBookCharlesbridge, 2018
  • Let's Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout; Dance, Spin & Turn It Out!

    Games, Songs, and Stories from an African American Childhood

    McKissack, Patricia C.
    Here is a songbook, a storybook, a poetry collection, and much more, all rolled into one. Choose a song or two, and sing with your little one!
    eBookRandom House Children's Books, 2017
  • Brave Cowboy tries to sing his young calf pals to sleep on a dark, dark night, with humorous results.
    eBookBeach Lane Books, 2012
  • Kaya's search for her heart song takes her deep into the vibrant jungles of Malaysia, where a broken down carousel waits for a very special song to make it turn again.
    eBookLantana Publishing, 2020
  • Under the Silver Moon

    Lullabies, Night Songs & Poems

    Dalton, Pamela
    Cut-paper artist Pamela Dalton presents a collection of classic lullabies, traditional children's songs, and poetry.
    eBookChronicle Books LLC, 2017
  • This vibrant picture book is a lyrical lullaby capturing the instant bond between children and parents at the moment of birth.
    eBookLerner Publishing Group, 2009