Mother Goose

Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, Poems & Fairy Tales

For more than three centuries, “Mother Goose” has been the friendly face behind some of the most beloved children’s literature in the English language. The name first appeared on Charles Perrault’s 1697 collection of fairy tales (“Contes de ma Mère l’Oye”) and was later adopted in England for collections of nursery rhymes that families have shared at bedtime ever since. On this page you’ll find Ririro’s hand-picked Mother Goose nursery rhymes, longer poems inspired by these classic verses, and the original fairy tales that travelled under Mother Goose’s wing—all free to read online, with audio for many of the stories.

Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes

These are the short, sing-song verses that have been passed from grandparent to grandchild for generations. Each one is perfect for read-alouds, early reading practice or a quick lullaby before lights out.

1. Humpty Dumpty
The tumbling egg who “had a great fall” is one of the most quoted rhymes in the world. Children love its rhythm, and parents love how easily it sparks conversations about being careful—and about putting yourself back together when things go wrong.

2. Little Miss Muffet
A girl, a tuffet, a bowl of curds and whey—and one very surprising spider. This tiny rhyme is a favourite for tackling everyday fears in a playful way, and its bouncing meter makes it easy to memorise.

3. Hickory, Dickory, Dock
A clock strikes one, a mouse runs down, and a whole generation learns to tell time. The cheerful, ticking rhythm makes this rhyme a natural choice for toddlers just discovering the magic of language.

4. Hey Diddle Diddle
A cat with a fiddle, a cow that jumps the moon, a laughing dog and a runaway dish: nonsense at its finest. The pure silliness keeps young listeners giggling and invites them to picture impossible things.

5. Jack and Jill
Two children, one well and a tumble down the hill—Jack and Jill is a short rhyme about helping out at home and getting back up again. Its simple ABAB rhyme scheme makes it a great early-reading choice.

6. Old Mother Hubbard
A bare cupboard, a hopeful dog and a long string of comic mishaps. Children adore the repetition and the runaway humour, and the rhyme stretches just long enough to settle little ones at bedtime.

7. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
A polite sheep, three bags of wool and one of the catchiest tunes in the nursery. This timeless rhyme is often a child’s first introduction to counting and to the idea of sharing.

8. Wynken, Blynken, and Nod
Eugene Field’s dreamlike poem follows three children who sail off in a wooden shoe to fish for stars in a sea of dew. Tender, gentle and beautifully rhythmic, it’s a much-loved bedtime piece for sleepy listeners.

9. Little Boy Blue’s Toys
A quieter, more wistful poem by Eugene Field about a child’s faithful toys waiting for their owner. Often shared by adults as much as by children, it’s one of the most touching pieces in the Mother Goose tradition.

10. This Is the House That Jack Built
A cumulative classic that builds line by line into a delightful tongue-twister. The repeating structure makes it ideal for memory practice and is endlessly entertaining when read aloud at speed.

11. Tom, Tom, the Piper’s Son
A short, mischievous poem about a boy, a stolen pig and a swift bit of justice. The lively meter and storytelling shape make it a favourite for slightly older children who enjoy a tale with a moral twist.

Mother Goose Fairy Tales

The very first book to bear Mother Goose’s name was Charles Perrault’s Tales of Mother Goose—the collection that gave the world some of the most enduring fairy tales of all time. These longer narratives invite children into magical kingdoms full of wonder, courage and clever heroes.

1. Cinderella
The kind-hearted girl, the fairy godmother and the famous glass slipper—Perrault’s version remains the template for nearly every Cinderella story since. A timeless tale of patience, hope and unexpected fortune.

2. Little Red Riding Hood
A trip through the woods, a clever wolf and a basket for grandma. Perrault’s original is a vivid lesson about listening, paying attention and trusting your instincts—still one of the most retold tales in the world.

3. Puss in Boots
A miller’s youngest son inherits nothing but a cat—who turns out to be a brilliant schemer in fine boots. Quick-witted, funny and surprisingly modern, this is a story about cleverness winning the day.

4. The Sleeping Beauty
A christening curse, a hundred-year sleep and a hedge of thorns. Perrault’s enchanting tale of patience and true love is one of the most magical bedtime reads in the Mother Goose canon.

5. Little Thumbling (Hop-o’-My-Thumb)
A tiny boy outwits a giant ogre to save his brothers in this lesser-known Perrault classic. It’s a perfect read for children who love clever underdogs and dramatic, fast-paced adventures.