Books About Nonsense Literature · 42 titles considered

The Best Nonsense Literature Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about nonsense literature? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Nonsense Literature

Sale price
$958
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 1975

Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!

By Dr. Seuss · Bright and Early Board Books series

A person thinks about various things, from colors and animals to fantastical creatures and scenarios.

48 pages· 366 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
5.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 16,999 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 1974

There's a Wocket in my Pocket

A house is inhabited by strange creatures.

36 pages· 298 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
5.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 36,044 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Board Book · Ages 1–3 · 1972

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

Discover the whimsical tale of an old lady's curious appetite.

14 pages
4.2/5 Goodreads · 30,062 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 1997

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

Discover the chaos inside the old lady who swallowed a fly.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (1997)
36 pages· 375 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
5.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 64,125 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 1980

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

An old lady swallows animals, but can she handle a horse?

22 pages
4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,565 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2014

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!

An old lady swallows a series of animals in an attempt to catch a fly.

32 pages· 320 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
4.2/5 Goodreads · 834 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

Cow Says Meow

Animals make mixed-up sounds in a playful, pun-filled adventure.

32 pages
4.0/5 Goodreads · 187 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 1979

Oh, Say Can You Say?

By Dr. Seuss · Book #65 in the Beginner Books series

A collection of whimsical poems about everyday words.

38 pages· 1,274 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
4.0/5 Goodreads · 8,176 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2009

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick!

A quirky old lady swallows a series of increasingly large objects, including a chick, straw, egg, candy, basket, and bow, all in the name of celebrating Easter.

32 pages· 340 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,489 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2006

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell!

An old lady swallows Christmas items, leading to a surprising twist.

32 pages· 404 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,523 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
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Browse by age

Nonsense Literature Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about nonsense literature for the youngest readers and listeners.

Jabberwocky

Ages 2–4 · 2013

Journey through whimsical lands with slithy toves and borogoves.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Cow!

Ages 0–3 · 2020

Why did the Old Lady swallow a cow and more? Discover the mystery!

I Am Sam-I-Am

Ages 0–3 · 2019

Will persistence convince a friend to try something new?

View all nonsense literature board books
Browse by age

Nonsense Literature Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about nonsense literature for preschool and elementary-age readers.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Trout!

Ages 4–8 · 1998

An old lady swallows the sea's creatures, but can she set them free?

Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!

Ages 2–5 · 1971

Marvin must leave, but will he ever take the hint?

Don't Bump the Glump!

Ages 4–8 · 1964

Discover a whimsical world of quirky creatures and playful poetry.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell!

Ages 4–8 · 2006

An old lady swallows various things with unexpected results.

There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!

Ages 4–8 · 1995

A cold lady swallows various objects to warm herself up, but ends up creating a snowman.

I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Dreidel

Ages 3–7 · 2014

An old lady's appetite spirals out of control during Hanukkah. Can her family save her?

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Frog!
Sale price
$899

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Frog!

Ages 4–6 · 2014

An old lady swallows a series of objects with unexpected consequences.

There Was an Old Martian Who Swallowed the Moon

Ages 4–7 · 2015

A Martian swallows celestial objects, but what happens when he reaches the sun?

Scrambled Eggs Super!

Ages 5–9 · 1953

A quest for rare eggs leads to a breakfast adventure.

There Was an Old Astronaut Who Swallowed the Moon!

Ages 4–8 · 2019

An astronaut's journey through space.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose!
Sale price
$699

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose!

Ages 3–5 · 2012

An old lady swallows odd items for a mysterious Valentine's gift.

There Was an Old Pirate Who Swallowed a Map!
Sale price
$899

There Was an Old Pirate Who Swallowed a Map!

Ages 4–8 · 2018

An old pirate swallows odd items on a sea adventure. Why? Discover the fun!

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Books about homeBooks about ideasBooks about imaginationBooks about imagination and playBooks about thinkingBooks about word play

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