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Nibble Nibble: Poems For Children
Poems for children by Margaret Wise Brown. Fourteen are new and eleven first appeared elsewhere.
Section I: Deep in the Green Stemmed World:
Song of the Bugs; Green Stems; A Bug's Eye; A Child's Delight; Bumble Bee.
Section II: In the Darkness of the Sea:
Four Fishing Boats; Fish Song; Sleepy Fish; Song of the Silver Fish; The Fish With the Deep Sea Smile.
Section III: Ask Now the Animals:
The Secret Song; Song of the Bunnies; The Bear and the Butterfly; Little Donkey Close Your Eyes; The Rabbit Skip; Nibble Nibble Nibble.
Section IV: One by One:
The Sad Sliced Onion; Wild Black Crows; Old Snake Has Gone to Sleep; Those Crazy Crows; How Do You Know It's Spring?; Song of Summer; Fall of the Year; The Leaves Fall Down; Cadence.
Section I: Deep in the Green Stemmed World:
Song of the Bugs; Green Stems; A Bug's Eye; A Child's Delight; Bumble Bee.
Section II: In the Darkness of the Sea:
Four Fishing Boats; Fish Song; Sleepy Fish; Song of the Silver Fish; The Fish With the Deep Sea Smile.
Section III: Ask Now the Animals:
The Secret Song; Song of the Bunnies; The Bear and the Butterfly; Little Donkey Close Your Eyes; The Rabbit Skip; Nibble Nibble Nibble.
Section IV: One by One:
The Sad Sliced Onion; Wild Black Crows; Old Snake Has Gone to Sleep; Those Crazy Crows; How Do You Know It's Spring?; Song of Summer; Fall of the Year; The Leaves Fall Down; Cadence.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1959
101 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Wise Brown
360 books1,219 followersMargaret Wise Brown wrote hundreds of books and stories during her life, but she is best known for Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. Even though she died nearly 70 years ago, her books still sell very well.
Margaret loved animals. Most of her books have animals as characters in the story. She liked to write books that had a rhythm to them. Sometimes she would put a hard word into the story or poem. She thought this made children think harder when they are reading.
She wrote all the time. There are many scraps of paper where she quickly wrote down a story idea or a poem. She said she dreamed stories and then had to write them down in the morning before she forgot them.
She tried to write the way children wanted to hear a story, which often isn't the same way an adult would tell a story. She also taught illustrators to draw the way a child saw things. One time she gave two puppies to someone who was going to draw a book with that kind of dog. The illustrator painted many pictures one day and then fell asleep. When he woke up, the papers he painted on were bare. The puppies had licked all the paint off the paper.
Margaret died after surgery for a bursting appendix while in France. She had many friends who still miss her. They say she was a creative genius who made a room come to life with her excitement. Margaret saw herself as something else - a writer of songs and nonsense.
Margaret loved animals. Most of her books have animals as characters in the story. She liked to write books that had a rhythm to them. Sometimes she would put a hard word into the story or poem. She thought this made children think harder when they are reading.
She wrote all the time. There are many scraps of paper where she quickly wrote down a story idea or a poem. She said she dreamed stories and then had to write them down in the morning before she forgot them.
She tried to write the way children wanted to hear a story, which often isn't the same way an adult would tell a story. She also taught illustrators to draw the way a child saw things. One time she gave two puppies to someone who was going to draw a book with that kind of dog. The illustrator painted many pictures one day and then fell asleep. When he woke up, the papers he painted on were bare. The puppies had licked all the paint off the paper.
Margaret died after surgery for a bursting appendix while in France. She had many friends who still miss her. They say she was a creative genius who made a room come to life with her excitement. Margaret saw herself as something else - a writer of songs and nonsense.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 20, 2021
How can anyone not like Margaret Wise Brown? I've read both editions of Nibble Nibble, the original written in 1959 and the one illustrated in 2007. Sadly the 2007, while beautifully illustrated, only has five of the original poems. What a loss.
5 stars for the original version, a few under for the 2007 edition.
5 stars for the original version, a few under for the 2007 edition.
January 16, 2022
Includes my favorite poem 'Nibble Nibble.' I have adapted it into a story stretcher with my own hand movements.
June 20, 2020
The edition of Nibble Nibble I read today was an older version, but I think you should read it, if you can find it. Margaret Brown works her poetic magic with lots of rhymes, some about the power of nature, some the power of family, all are about power, not power forced on others but power you acquire within to love beauty and find beauty in every thing, in every person, in every day. When it comes to colors true and awesome as any rainbow, it's Brown that colors your world with hope and love...for all of you.
Four stars
Take a nibble nibble...and chances are you will be full!
Four stars
Take a nibble nibble...and chances are you will be full!
March 23, 2017
The pictures in this book are soft and gentle as are the concepts. A winning combination. If I had to describe the book in two words I would say peace and love.
Talking points - some animals bite and fight. Some never fight but are soft and gentle. Which animals do you identify most with and why? What makes your heart beat fast? Who and what do you love? What are your favorite things about each month of the year? Have you ever written a song or a poem? I'd love to hear it? Do you have a favorite song that you think represents you the most?
Talking points - some animals bite and fight. Some never fight but are soft and gentle. Which animals do you identify most with and why? What makes your heart beat fast? Who and what do you love? What are your favorite things about each month of the year? Have you ever written a song or a poem? I'd love to hear it? Do you have a favorite song that you think represents you the most?
December 5, 2022
Nibble Nibble poems for children is full of fun and joyful poems. There are lyrical rhymes and storylines poems that will make story-time fun for you and your little ones. The author furnishes themes such as family, animals, sleepy time, seasons, and emotions. The poems include the sounds and sights of nature, birds, rabbits, crows, and everyday childhood moments. This is a great book to read and share.
November 20, 2017
I love the poetry of Margaret Wise Brown. There is something so utterly beautiful and soothing in the way she places words upon the page. Heavily rabbit themed, some of these poems aren't really about rabbits at all, though they often appear in what she's saying.
I think my favorite was the one that described all the ways that the heart beats when you love someone in 'Nibble Nibble Nibble.'
I think my favorite was the one that described all the ways that the heart beats when you love someone in 'Nibble Nibble Nibble.'
May 24, 2018
"Nibble Nibble Nibble" is the star of this show by far. And I don't even really get this poem. Except okay, I get the music of it. And so do the kids. And every time I read this (with 3 year olds mostly) it soothes the wild beasts in us all. Then I ask, "what's in your heart" and we're off.
December 24, 2025
I could see this as a frequent bedtime readaloud. After a few reads, the repetition can easily be filled in by the child, perhaps with some actions too. Wendell Minor's illustrations are soft and gentle, as is the tone of the poetry. Calm and soothing as you wind down for sleep...
November 17, 2018
I think children will enjoy the repetition and sing-songy-ness of this book.
March 9, 2021
Beautiful illustrations.
June 12, 2021
Not my favorite but it's ok. The poems just didn't engage that much.
October 23, 2022
Sweet poems, pretty illustrations, but just ok.
October 12, 2025
not a fan of the poetry
December 29, 2010
Nibble Nibble features several poems about playful bunnies in nature. The poems describe the actions of bunnies and feelings of love.
Nibble Nibble is a collection of poems published by Margaret Wise Brown several decades ago. In tribute to her, the artist, Wendell Minor, published another edition of her book with his gorgeous illustrations. The illustrations wonderfully accompany the peaceful words written by Margaret Wise Brown.
This is a perfect book to read to young children. The flow of the words is peaceful and conveys a good message. Older children will also enjoy reading this book and seeing the beautiful illustrations.
Nibble Nibble is a collection of poems published by Margaret Wise Brown several decades ago. In tribute to her, the artist, Wendell Minor, published another edition of her book with his gorgeous illustrations. The illustrations wonderfully accompany the peaceful words written by Margaret Wise Brown.
This is a perfect book to read to young children. The flow of the words is peaceful and conveys a good message. Older children will also enjoy reading this book and seeing the beautiful illustrations.
February 21, 2014
Here comes a bunny
The first to stray
Out of April
And into May.
And here comes a robin
The first to fly
Out of June
And into July.
Here are the fireflies
Last to remember
The end of August
And first of September.
And here comes a caterpillar
The last to creep
Out of summer
And into sleep.
--Margaret Wise Brown
From Nibble Nibble
A real live bunny is coming to storytime this summer, and I will be reading "Song of the Bunnies" from this collection and possibly this lovely "Song of Summer". There is a flannel board in these words. Sharing poetry is a just one way to nurture phonological awareness, the ability to hear the smaller sounds in words.
The first to stray
Out of April
And into May.
And here comes a robin
The first to fly
Out of June
And into July.
Here are the fireflies
Last to remember
The end of August
And first of September.
And here comes a caterpillar
The last to creep
Out of summer
And into sleep.
--Margaret Wise Brown
From Nibble Nibble
A real live bunny is coming to storytime this summer, and I will be reading "Song of the Bunnies" from this collection and possibly this lovely "Song of Summer". There is a flannel board in these words. Sharing poetry is a just one way to nurture phonological awareness, the ability to hear the smaller sounds in words.
January 16, 2015
Nibble Nibble, Poems for Children by Margaret Wise Brown
Audio version so I am not seeing the colorful pictures.
Poems of bugs and their song during the day and nights.
Follows the trail as the bug crawls up the blade of grass or a leaf.
Particularly liked the firefly and lobster poems. Some silly songs and you can just picture what is going on in your mind.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Audio version so I am not seeing the colorful pictures.
Poems of bugs and their song during the day and nights.
Follows the trail as the bug crawls up the blade of grass or a leaf.
Particularly liked the firefly and lobster poems. Some silly songs and you can just picture what is going on in your mind.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
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February 19, 2014Margaret Wise Brown's poems have been used in many different books. This book is a collection of a variety of her poems accompanied by colorful illustrations. Her poems are about animals, the weather, bugs, all subjects that can be playful and enjoyable by children. One of the poems from this collection, Bumble Bee, has been made into it's own book. The poems are easy to read and understand and can make for a fun story time or poetry lesson.
April 4, 2012
I love the book Goodnight Moon, which was written by the same author. This is what attracted me to this book originally. I really liked the fact that each poem related to nature and love. The poems were very "song like" and had a fun rhythm to them. They would be fun poems to read as an introduction to poetry for young children.
December 11, 2012
6 star book!
Wendell Minor illustrates a little golden book! that's what this book would have been fifty years ago. Margaret Wise Brown poetry and Wendell Monor bunnies! this is better than anything on the nytimes bestseller list.
there is even an illo of a fox looking like he's trying to recover from a hangover.
Wendell Minor illustrates a little golden book! that's what this book would have been fifty years ago. Margaret Wise Brown poetry and Wendell Monor bunnies! this is better than anything on the nytimes bestseller list.
there is even an illo of a fox looking like he's trying to recover from a hangover.
October 9, 2008
I am a bunny person through and through, and MWB's poems hold a special place in my heart, plus they are a blast to read aloud to little ones. Wendell Minor's illustrations are endearing, making this a throughly delightful book.
July 28, 2008
What a sweet book with beautiful illustrations.
February 27, 2009
The illustrations are a five star but the story wasn't that good.
November 3, 2009
This is a nice book of children's poetry. What I like most about the book is the illustrations. They are so pretty and the texture of the bunnies almost looks real.
February 9, 2011
Beautiful illustrations and poems that are fun to read and hold a little kid's attention.
July 27, 2012
I want to buy this one, & use the amazing poems as artwork!
June 25, 2013
Five poems about little bunnies with illustrations perfect for story time.
January 8, 2014
Awesome poems for kids (and adults)!
November 9, 2015
I really love the pictures in this book! The Songs/poetry are good but are not my taste. I guess they are fine. (I KNOW the worst compliment or criticism of a book is "It's fine"
December 2, 2015
This is a beautifully illustrated picture books, but the poems do slide a bit toward the precious side.
March 21, 2016
Incredible sounds and repetition by Margaret Wise Brown and beautiful illustrations by Wendell Minor
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews