Multicultural Lullabies (Books & CD's)

I don’t think there’s ever been a baby who doesn’t love a lullaby! One of my favourite times of the day when my daughter was a baby was holding her in my arms at night and singing a soothing lullaby to her. Now that she is a bit older we combine story reading and singing with some of these books and CD’s about multicultural lullabies:

11 Multicultural Lullabies

Welcome Song for Baby
by Richard Van Camp

“Dear One / Cherished One / Loved One / You have made the world beautiful again.” From renowned First Nations storyteller and award-winning authour Richard Van Camp comes this lyrical lullaby. Complemented with stunning photographs, Welcome Song for Baby is a perfect first board book for newborns. ~ Diverse – Babies & Toddlers

Muslim Lullabies
by Elizabeth Lymer

Muslim Lullabies is a collection of popular children’s songs adapted to themes from the Q’ran and the Sunnah. From ‘Bedtime, Bedtime, Bismillah (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)’ to ‘Hush Now, Habibty (Rock-a-Bye, Baby)’, this booklet is an excellent resource for Muslim children’s bedtimes. ~ Diverse – Babies & Toddlers, Diverse – Preschool

Companion Audio CD: Muslim Lullabies CD

More Muslim themed books: 21 Children’s Books about Ramadan and Eid

Hush! A Thai Lullaby
by Minfong Ho

“Hush! / Who’s that / weeping in the wind?” A mother asks a lizard, a monkey, and a water buffalo to be quiet and not disturb her sleeping baby. With repetetive text and colourful illustrations Hush! A Thai Lullaby is a soothing and appealing bedtime read. ~ Asian – Babies & Toddlers

Hush, Little Baby
by Brian Pinkney

While Mama runs errands, Papa and big brother look after the little baby sister. When she starts to cry, they try just about everything to make her smile again. Hush, Little Baby is Pinkney’s exuberant version of the classic American lullaby celebrating a father’s unconditional love. ~ African – Babies & Toddlers, African – Preschool

More books about fathers: 40 Multicultural Children’s Books about Fathers

Hula Lullaby
by Erin Eitter Kono

At sunset a little Hawaiian girl and her mother watch hula dancers and listen to native music. As the girl falls asleep in her lap, the mother tells her about the mountains, the animals and the palm trees in soothing rhymes. The sights and sounds of Hawaii are brought to life by the lush paintings in Hula Lullaby. ~ Diverse – Babies & Toddlers, Diverse – Preschool

Lala Salama: A Tanzanian Lullaby
by Patricia MacLachlan

This beautifully illustrated book follows a loving family through their day on the banks of Lake Tanganyika. As the day turns to night, the twinkling lantern on the father’s boat sends the baby off into a peaceful sleep. Lala Salama (‘sleep peacefully’) is a gentle and lyrical Tanzanian lullaby that will appeal to all children. ~ African – Preschool

Hush, Baby, Hush!: Lullabies from Around the World
by Kathy Henderson

This beautiful book includes lullabies from around the world, from Australia (Aboriginal) to Bangladesh, from Brazil to West Africa. With lullabies in English plus the original language, a melody line, and delightful illustrations, Hush, Baby, Hush! is the perfect gift for new parents everywhere. ~ Diverse – Babies & Toddlers, Diverse – Preschool

Arrorro, Mi Niño
by Lulu Dulacre

Arrorro, Mi Niño is a bilingual collection of traditional nursery rhymes and lullabies from fourteen Spanish-speaking countries. Soft watercolour illustrations depict loving family interactions and bring the gentle baby games and sweet lullabies to life. Includes melodies. ~ Hispanic – Babies & Toddlers, Hispanic – Preschool

Songs in the Shade of the Olive Tree
by Hafida Favret

Songs in the Shade of the Olive Tree takes young children on a musical journey across North Africa, from the Sahara Desert through the Atlas Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The 30 story-songs from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia are written in Arabic and Berber. Includes CD. ~ African – Preschool

More books set in North Africa: 20 Children’s Books set in the Middle East & Northern Africa

Songs in the Shade of the Flamboyant Tree
by Chantal Grosléziat

With colourful illustrations reminiscent of the vibrant flamboyant tree, this collection introduces lullabies and nursery rhymes from Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, and Reunion. Songs in the Shade of the Flamboyant Tree features 30 songs in French Creole dialects and English, plus notes on origin and cultural context. Includes CD. ~ Diverse – Preschool

Songs from the Baobab: African Lullabies & Nursery Rhymes
by Chantal Grosléziat

Songs from the Baobab is a beautiful collection of nursery rhymes and lullabies from Central and West Africa. Earthy illustrations and 11 languages soothe babies to sleep as the songs travel from one country to the next. The accompanying CD features 29 songs from 10 countries, including Rwanda, Mali and Senegal. ~ African – Preschool

More books set in Africa: 23 Children’s Books set in South Africa