Nursery Rhyme: Row Row Row Your Boat

*click on image for a larger version for printing out

Here is another recommended action rhyme. I usually start with this and our kiddo Slade loves it.

Nursery Rhyme: Incy Wincy Spider

*click on image for a larger version for printing out

By 2 months, Slade was beginning to respond alot more to what we say. Realising there are only that many times we can repeat, "Hello", "How are you", "Bubbles" and "Sweethearts". We started wrecking our brains for nursery rhymes of bygone years.

Then it dawned on me that I can only recall bits and pieces of most of the rhymes. Hence I often find myself scrambling to google rhymes. Only to realise that the half I thought I remembered was actually lost in childhood translation.

As a designer by training, looking for visually pretty nursery rhymes is an uphill task. So I started researching and laying out my favourite nursery rhymes. I print them out, laminate them and keep them handy.

I will be posting some of my favourites to share.

WE LIKE: Pat Hutchin

Our newborn simply adores Rosie's Walk by the talented Pat Hutchin.

Get your copy here

WE LIKE: Caroline Gomez

Love this 2010 Spring Collection from Caroline Gomez

For more information visit her website

Happy Chinese New Year!

This bunny lamp would make a great conversation piece for the Year of the Rabbit

Get yours here

Happy Chinese New Year!

WE LIKE: Le Papillon

Le Papillon

Pourquoi les poules pondent des oeufs?
Pour que les oeufs fassent des poules.
Pourquoi les amoureux s’embrassent?
C’est pour que les pigeons roucoulent.
Pourquoi les jolies fleurs se fanent?
Parce que ça fait partie du charme.
Pourquoi le diable et le bon Dieu?
C’est pour faire parler les curieux.

Pourquoi le feu brûle le bois?
C’est pour bien réchauffer nos coeurs.
Pourquoi la mer se retire?
C’est pour qu’on lui dise Encore.
Pourquoi le soleil disparaît?
Pour l’autre partie du décor.
Pourquoi le diable et le bon Dieu?
C’est pour faire parler les curieux.

Pourquoi le loup mange l’agneau?
Parce qu’il faut bien se nourrir.
Pourquoi le lièvre et la tortue?
Parce que rien ne sert de courir.
Pourquoi les anges ont-ils des ailes?
Pour nous faire croire au Père Noël.
Pourquoi le diable et le bon Dieu?
C’est pour faire parler les curieux.

Ça t’a plu, le petit voyage?
Ah oui, beaucoup!
Vous avez vu des belles choses?
J’aurais bien voulu voir des sauterelles
Des sauterelles? Pourquoi des sauterelles?
Et des libellules aussi.
A la prochaine fois, d’accord.
D’accord.

Je peux te demander quelque chose?
Quoi encore?
On continue mais cette fois-çi c’est toi qui chantes.
Pas question.
S’il te plaît.
Non, mais non.
Allez, c’est le dernier couplet.
Tu ne crois pas que tu pousses un peu le bouchon?

Pourquoi notre coeur fait tic-tac?
Parce que la pluie fait flic flac.
Pourquoi le temps passe si vite?
Parce que le vent lui rend visite.
Pourquoi tu me prends par la main?
Parce qu’avec toi je suis bien.
Pourquoi le diable et le bon Dieu?
C’est pour faire parler les curieux.

-- Interprétée par Michel Serrault et Claire Bouanich
Musique de Nicolas Errèra
Paroles de Philippe Muyl


The Butterfly

Why do chickens lay eggs?
So the eggs will make chickens.
Why do lovers kiss each other?
To make the pigeons coo.
Why do the pretty flowers wilt?
Because that’s part of their charm.
Why the devil and the good God?
To make the curious people talk.

Why does fire burn wood?
In order to warm our hearts.
Why does the tide go out?
So we can call for an Encore.
Why does the sun disappear?
So we can see the rest of the décor.
Why the devil and the good God?
To make the curious people talk.

Why does the wolf eat the lamb?
Because it needs to nourish itself.
Why the tortoise and the hare?
Because there’s no point in running.
Why do angels have wings?
To make us believe in Father Christmas.
Why the devil and the good God?
To make the curious people talk.

Did you enjoy our little trip?
Oh yes, very much!
Did you see beautiful things?
I would’ve liked to see grasshoppers.
Grasshoppers? Why grasshoppers?
And dragonflies, too.
Next time, ok?
Ok.

May I ask you something?
What now?
We continue, but this time you sing.
Not a chance.
Please.
Absolutely not.
Come on, it’s the last verse.
Don’t you think you’re pushing it?

Why do our hearts go tick tock?
Because rain goes plop plop.
Why does time pass so quickly?
Because the wind pushes it along.
Why do you take me by the hand?
Because with you, all is well.
Why the devil and the good God?
To make the curious people talk.

-- Performed by Michel Serrault and Claire Bouanich
Music by Nicolas Errèra
Lyrics by Philippe Muyl, translated by [HEP]