2026 Blogging A to Z Challenge: Rhyme

The 2026 Blogging A to Z Challenge continues marching on throughout the month and today is the Letter “R” for rhyming! Rhyming books are some of my favorites – they’re so much fun to read aloud! And when you have fun reading, kids will pick up on those feelings and equate spending time with books as time for fun too!

Rhyming in children’s literature is a lot harder than most people realize. And when an author does it well, it’s easy to read with a rhythm that just trips off the tongue. Unfortunately, sometimes you’ll come across a book where everything works really well, except a stanza or two and it can throw you completely off. The other issue with rhyming books is pronunciation. I love the picture book Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey, but the only way for this book to rhyme is to read it in a Australian accent, otherwise the rhymes just don’t work! So, keep in mind that rhyming can be tricky, but when it’s done well, it’s a joy to read!

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2026 Blogging A to Z Challenge: Rhyme

Busy Baby Animals by Suzi Eszterhas

Baby animals aren’t just cute―they get up to lots of interesting activities, too! In this adorable board book, readers will meet babies climbing, babies dining, babies cruising, babies grooving, babies with their families, and more.

Stunning photographs from award-winning wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas showcase the lives of baby animals and their families in the wild and are paired with simple, rhyming text, giving young readers a chance to learn about new animals while giggling along with the babies’ antics. Great for animal lovers, this is a playful, accessible introduction to wild animals from around the world.

Hamsters On the Go by Kass Reich

Following the success of her previous board books on numbers, colors and opposites, Kass Reich once again presents her beloved, splayed-toed hamsters. This time, the adorable critters are on the move, demonstrating all the different ways they get from here to there. A lively and humorous introduction to modes of transportation for little ones.

My First Lift-the-Flap Nursery Rhymes illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius

Featuring 14 favorite rhymes to read together—and a QR code to scan for rhymes to listen to and sing along with—this gorgeous gift book will be treasured forever and reached for time and time again.

My Hands Can by Ammi-Joan Paquette

MY HANDS CAN is the first book in a series of three that showcase the body’s amazing abilities—from the straightforward to the meaningful. This series will provide young readers with a deep understanding and appreciation of everything their hands can do, and invite them to look beyond what’s known and obvious.

Written in a lyrical, affectionate tone, and illustrated in bright, warm colors, this book celebrates bodies everywhere and is sure to spark wonder, love, and respect for everything hands can do.

One Leaf, Two Leaves, Count With Me! by John Mickos Jr., illustrated by Clive McFarland

Count your way through the seasons! In spring, the tree’s leaves appear, one by one. By summer, there’s a glorious canopy. And when autumn winds blow, leaves fly from the tree, one after another, leading us into winter. There’s a world of activity to spy in and around this beautiful tree as the wild creatures, and one little boy, celebrate the cycles of nature. As little ones count leaves, look for animals, and enjoy the changing seasonal landscape, bouncy rhymes and bold illustrations make learning to count easy—corresponding numerals reinforcing the learning fun.

The Same But Different Too by Karl Newson, illustrated by Kate Hindley

There’s something about each of us that makes us special. But while everyone is unique, we all have many things in common as well. Explore the ways that we are all the same but different, too, in this joyful and simple celebration of individuality and camaraderie. Filled with children and their animal friends, this rhyming text illuminates the wonderfully different and similar things that make us who we are.

Spread Your Wings by Emma Dodd

As we cuddle here together,
gazing at the sky,
I know that soon the day will come
when you’ll spread your wings and fly.

With internationally best-selling author Emma Dodd’s stunning art, this uplifting and reassuring book featuring a baby cockatoo who learns what a big wide world it is out there is perfect for readers young and old.

Three Grumpy Trucks by Todd Tarpley, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees

Whirr! Whomp! Grind! Chomp! Three toy trucks have big plans for their day at the playground: digging and lifting, building and shifting. But then they start to get tired . . . and hot . . . and hungry . . . . They’re GRUMPY! When they throw a total truck tantrum, will anyone be able to calm them down?

Kids (and parents) may just recognize themselves in this entertaining take on getting grouchy, and getting over it. The lighthearted, rhythmic text will have young readers chanting along, and the bright and buoyant illustrations of the trucks’ looming meltdown will keep them giggling!

A World to Meet by Katie Harnett

Utilizing poetry and a comforting art palette to support development, this board book highlights all the simple wonders the world has to offer. It’s designed to transition with babies as they grow, employing patterns and soft art to keep little ones engaged and inspired. This is a perfect reassuring book—and gift—for all new babies coming into the world!

2026 is my eleventh year participating in the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year, my theme is Board Books for Babies with a focus on providing book suggestions that parents and caregivers can share with, of course, babies, but also toddlers and preschoolers! Each letter of the alphabet will focus on a different subject and will provide nine titles for each subject. While there are dozens of classic board books out there, this list includes titles published in the past 5-6 years, so you’ll get to learn about new titles, authors, and publishers! Stop by daily to check out the new books and other posts that I’ll be sharing in April.