My Very First Mother Goose: questions to ask and activities to try
More than sixty nursery rhymes in one book. My Very First Mother Goose is a joyful first collection to share with babies and toddlers.
What age is it for? My Very First Mother Goose is best from birth to age 5. Good for: Sharing nursery rhymes with babies and toddlers.
My Very First Mother Goose (Iona Opie and Rosemary Wells)
- Age
- 0-5
- Best for
- Sharing nursery rhymes with babies and toddlers
Say or sing the rhymes rather than reading them flatly, and add actions. Pick a few favourites and repeat them often: that's how little ones learn language.
What it helps with
- Early language and listening
- Rhythm, rhyme and repetition
- Singing and actions together
- Building a reading routine from babyhood
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Which rhyme do you know?”
- “Can you do the actions?”
- “Which animals are in the rhymes?”
- “Which rhyme is the funniest?”
- “Can you finish the line?”
- “Which one shall we learn next?”
5-minute activities to try together
Rhyme of the week
Choose one nursery rhyme a week and say it every day, with actions.
Rhyme props
Use a toy or object for each rhyme, like a spider for Incy Wincy, and act it out.
Free printables: My Very First Mother Goose worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
If your child liked this, try
A Great Big Cuddle (Michael Rosen and Chris Riddell)
- Best for
- Joining in with rhymes and sounds, and sharing feelings
- Age
- 0-5
Here's a Little Poem (Jane Yolen, Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Dunbar)
- Best for
- A first book of poems about everyday life
- Age
- 1-5
Each Peach Pear Plum (Janet and Allan Ahlberg)
- Best for
- Playing I spy, rhyme and favourite nursery characters
- Age
- 0-5
Search all our books by what's happening →
By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.