4 Fun Rhyming Books for Kids

"Around 9, 10-ish, 11, The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster (ages 8 to 12), was my go-to book. The main character travels to 'Dictionopolis,' a town where people go to buy words and letters that each have their own flavor, aroma, and texture."

—Emma Walton Hamilton, coauthor of the Very Fairy Princess series

"The genius of Dr. Seuss was his ability to distill serious messages into simple rhyme. You have a heart of stone if you're not moved by The Lorax (ages 5 to 9), and its message about environmentalism is even more relevant today."

—Cressida Cowell, author of the How to Train Your Dragon series

"I struggled in school. Reading a book was like being served bitter spinach. All that changed when I was introduced to Selected Poems of Langston Hughes (ages 12+). The poems weren't reading. They were sweet wordplay, letter music, possibilities on paper!"

—Andrea Davis Pinkney, author of The Red Pencil

"Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! by Dr. Seuss (ages 2 to 5), ignited my passion for words. I vividly recall my parents reading the rhyming story to me."

—Actor Gabrielle Union, author of Welcome to the Party