Every now and then, there’s a picture book that works so perfectly for storytime that I know it’s going to be in my regular rotation for a long time. Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird and Andrea Tsurumi is one of those picture books.

It starts with the song “Pop! Goes the Weasel,” and then moves into several other famous nursery rhymes: Jack and Jill, Little Miss Muffet, Mary Had a Little Lamb. Each one gets interrupted by “Pop! Goes the Weasel!” partway through.

All the kids I’ve read this to have found this book hilarious. It’s fun to have them clap their hands or throw play scarves in the air whenever you point to the word “Pop!” (which is also a wonderful way to help them develop print awareness). You can also extend it by singing some of the songs after you read the book (especially Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, which they usually know), and throw in your own “Pop! Goes the Weasel” in the middle.

Highly recommended for storytime collections!