Nursery Rhymes That Are Fun for Moms Too

I have a book, I think it's called This Little Piggy, it's by Jane Yolen. It is all the classic finger, clapping, etc. games and it tells you how to do them. It also comes with a CD. We love it!

I would always make up my own words about whatever we were doing (getting dressed, going somewhere, etc.) and sing it to the tune of one of the classics that everyone knows. It doesn't have to be very good, kids are very forgiving! As far as CDs I don't know a lot of them, but I always liked Raffi.

Hi R.,

Here is a list of our favorite kids' music. You didn't mention how old your little one is, but I listen to all of them with my toddler. Most will stay appropriate until elementary school. All are available through King County Libraries if you use their system. And, most importantly, they're all ones that my daughter and I can agree on (Again, Mommy!).

Barenaked Ladies--Snacktime...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snacktime!
My personal favorite. It has the band's distinctive sound but kid-friendly lyrics.

Laurie Berkner Band--http://www.laurieberkner.com/site/
Kids' music that doesn't really sound like kids' music. Mixture of original and traditional songs. I prefer the more recent ones. Try "Under and Shady Tree" and "Rocketship Run."

Sandra Boynton--http://www.sandraboynton.com/sboynton/index.html
Author of board books writes songs, too. Many are text from the books, others are unique to the CDs. Some sound like kiddie show tunes ("Philadelphia Chicken"). Others feature famous artists ("Dog Train"), and others pay homage to particular styles ("Blue Moo" = 50s pop)

Ralph's World--http://www.ralphsworld.com/
Artist Ralph Covert includes parent-friendly tidbits in his music (M-o-m-m-y needs c-o-f-f-e-e; counting to 18 in Roman numerals; the Itsy-bitsy spider is about existentialism...). We've tried "Ralph's World (debut CD)" and "At the Bottom of the Sea." They seem to be mostly original music with some traditional ones added. Many tracks include kids' voices.

They Might Be Giants--They've recorded two kids CDs. Honestly, they miss the mark for me, but they're not bad.

Mommy and Me: Playgroup Favorites and Mommy and Me: More Playgroup Favorites--http://www.amazon.com/Mommy-Playgroup-Favorites-Various-A... and http://www.amazon.com/Mommy-Me-More-Playgroup-Favorites/d...
Nontraditional settings of traditional songs and nursery rhymes. These are definitely the most juvenile sounding as far as the quality of the music. They do, however, deal with your issue of morbidity in traditional rhymes. I do recommend them, just not for long car rides during the toddler "again!" phase. :)

Pete Seeger--Traditional folk music for kids, can include some darker songs (Froggie Went a-Courtin')

John Feierabend--Simple recordings of traditional rhymes and kids music. These are intended for use in a music classroom, so they're very basic without much embellishment (to allow the teacher to focus on particular aspects of the music). They're good for introducing the classics, but I wouldn't want to listen to them frequently.

Also, even though you seem to be focusing on the classics (a great thing to do!), don't be afraid to listen to grown-up music with your kids. Many bands out there have lyrics that are appropriate for all ages. Pick some of your favorites and build appreciation now!

The author Beck Bailey has a great book called "I love you rituals"
It's full of fun hand and sing song games with some classic nursery rhymes re-written in a loving way.

My daughter's name is Jillian. She really likes the Jack and Jill rhyme, however I change certain words so the message is not so daunting. I read the first verse the same as the tradition except instead of 'broke his crown', Jack just bumps his crown. I don't change the 2nd verse much except for changing Dame to nurse--only because she understands what a nurse is ("Then up Jack got, and off did trot, as fast as he could caper, to old nurse Dobb who patched his nob, with vinegar and brown paper"). And then I made up a 3rd verse myself, so Jill isn't omitted from the story ("And Jill was done and home did run, as quick as she could muster, with dirty dress and hair a mess, she got kisses from her mother"). Then I usually give her a few big silly tickle kisses on the cheek etc.

There are a few others that I changed a word here or there so it sounds more positive and loving, but I sense you are interested in entirely new verses instead of the traditional storylines. However I don't read "Lady bird Lady bird fly away home" (I remember being upset by that as a child) and I avoid reading "3 blind mice".

I like Caspar Babypants for a "grown up" artist performing kids' songs. Also, check out Recess Monkey!

The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales cracks my son up every time we read it!

Here's a link to some cool kid music:
http://www.musicbox-online.com/kids1.html

I like the Itsy Bitsy Spider.

On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese, I lost my poor meatball, when somebody sneezed ......It rolled under the table, an onto the floor ........

I made up a song to the tune of "oh my darlin clementine." We call it the M&M song. My 2 yr old loves me to sing it when he's upset.

I also made up a song to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle. We basically count to twenty. We count and the last bit ends "...and we'll end with twe-e-en-ty."

Saw this guy a year ago at my local library. He sings songs about metamorphosis, anacondas ... He's called the "Singing Zoologist." Very entertaining live. Not sure about his CDs. http://www.lucasmiller.net/

Google "silly kids songs" or "childrens songs to the tune of" and see what you can find.

Check your local library and see if they have a book club in the age group of your child. Here in Washington County (Oregon) we have Book Babies group once a week, we sing all kinds of songs with the babies that aren't the classic creepy ones.

The Wheels on the Bus

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Hello Bubbles: Hello bubble, hello bubble. Come and land, come and land. Right on the middle, right in the middle of my hand. (blowing bubbles while singing it so they can try to catch them)

When (insert animal) get up in the Morning: When Ducks get up in the morning they always say good day, (repeat). Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack that is what they say, (repeat)

The library also has lots of childrens' cd's you can check out to see if you like them before you buy.

We like They Might Be Giants (they have many childrens albums)

Jack Johnson (he just has a nice melow flow, not songs geared toward kids)

Our local radio station (94.7) plays Greasy Kid Stuff once a week. (greasykidstuff.net)

Have Fun!

check out bussongs.com. it has a ton of songs and rhymes. pick ones that you and your husband remember and liked as a kid.

i do agree that a lot of the old school rhymes are morbid. my mom got my daughter a book of mother goose rhymes and reading them to my daughter i think "what were they thinking writing these!"

I love the "Sing With a Child" CD that was put out to raise money for PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support) in the Seattle area. My preschoolers still love it. I love all the Putomayo Playground CD's for kids too, like "Animal Playground."

Nursery rhymes are what they are. If you live near Kent, Wa there is a wonderful Children's Bookstores that has incredible books to choose from. They also have a website but is not nearly as interesting as the actual store. Look for the books and you will find them. There is actually an incredible wealth of new funny rewritten fairy tales. You just have to look. Start at your local library.

I had a little turtle, his name is Tiny Tim. I threw him in the bathtub, to see if he could swim! He drank up all the water, (make sucking sound), he ate up all the soap (make munching sound). And now he has a belly ache and bubbles in his THROAT!!!!!!!

I have no idea how to teach the tune to this song but it is SO MUCH FUN and kids love it! You make a turtle with your hands for the first part and pretend to throw him in the bathtub. Then you make swimming motions. (Basically just act out song).

Laurie Berkner Band!

My daughter loves the Itsy Bitsy Spider and the Monkey song....
5 Little Monkey's jumping on the bed
1 fell off and bumped his head
momma called the doctor and the doctor said...
no more monkey's jumping on the bed.
You count from 5 to 1. All being the same verse
She sings it so loud.
the other one that she likes is....
I am special
I am special
look around... you will see
someone very special, someone very special
yes it's me, yes it's me

These were taught to her at the local library. Hope these help.

Truckery Rhymes
by Jon Scieszka
Jon Scieszka kicks 22 beloved nursery rhymes into high gear with his rip-roaringly fun truckery rhymes! (Ages 2-4)

More for a boy, but I thought they were entertaining.