Hear the Beat of Rhyming Picture Books

If you read aloud rhyming picture books, you know it's not all about the end rhyme. There should be a rhythm that takes the reader effortlessly through the story. For those beginning rhymers, here's a great picture book to help you hear the beat. The opening layout shows a hand-clapping game and music.

Miss Mary Mack
by Mary Ann Hoberman

Illustrated by Nadine Westcott

Little, Brown and Company, 1998

Clap your hands to the beat of this classic children's chant.

"Miss Mary Mack. 

All dressed in black, black, black,

With silver buttons, buttons, buttons, 

All down her back, back, back.

She asked her mother, mother, mother, 

For fifty cents, cents, cents,

To see the elephant, elephant, elephant, 

Jump the fence, fence, fence.

He jumped so high, high, high, 

He reached the sky, sky, sky,

And didn't come back, back, back, 

Till the fourth of July, July, July.

He fell so fast, fast, fast, He fell so hard, hard, hard,

He made a hole, hole, hole, In her back yard, yard, yard.

The catsup splashed, splashed, splashed, 

The soda popped, popped, popped,

The people screamed, screamed, screamed, 

The picnic stopped, stopped, stopped." 

Writing in Rhyme Tips

Picture books are meant to be read aloud, especially rhyming ones. I read every stanza over and over to my dog, Calvin. And I focus on the sound.

1. Does it sound like natural speech? Or do I stumble on a word or phrase?

2. Did I rearrange words to be consistent with the pattern?

3. Is there a playfulness to the language? Is it fun to read?

4. Does a line sound like it has too many or not enough beats/syllables?

Here's another version of Miss Mary Mack. Have fun listening to the beat! 

The Terrible PLOP: PB Review & Illustration How-To

Last weekend, my 5-y-o nephew and 3-y-o niece visited. I left a stack of picture books on the coffee table. Out of 20 books, The Terrible Plop was the big hit. It’s a perfect read-aloud with fun rhythm and rhyme.

by Ursula Dubosarsky

Illustrated by Andrew Joyner

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009

Theme: don't follow the crowd

Summary

Here is the story

Of the Terrible PLOP,

With a bear and a rabbit

And a hop hop hop.

But what is the PLOP?

And where does it hide?

Open the book

And look inside . . .

The Story begins

Six little rabbits

Down by the lake

Munching on carrots

And chocolate cake.

Resources for Teachers:

Being Creative Through Play Activity Guide
Andrew Joyner's website with Activities Pages

Learn how to draw a bear from The Terrible Plop

by Illustrator Andrew Joyner

 Visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog for a complete list of today's Perfect Picture: HERE!

The Quiet Place: PB Review & Author Interview

by Sarah Stewart

Illustrated by David Small

Farrar Straus Giroux Books, 2012 

Themes: moving away, fitting in

Summary 
“When Isabel and her family move to the United States, Isabel misses all the things she left behind in Mexico, especially her aunt Lupita and hearing people speak Spanish. But she also experiences some wonderful new things--her first snow storm and a teacher who does not speak Spanish but has a big smile. Even better, Papa and her brother Chavo help her turn a big box into her own quiet place, where she keeps her books and toys and writes letters to Aunt Lupita. As she decorates and adds more and more on to her quiet place, it is here that Isabel feels the most at home in her new country while she learns to adjust to the changes in her life.”

The Story begins 

April 5, 1957
Dear Auntie Lupita,
Here is my first letter in English. I am going to practice my new language by writing to you. Thank you for your letter in Spanish.

I love how Sarah Stewart shares the whole story through letters from Isabel. The illustrations by David Small add another layer of emotion through Isabel's expression and color tones.

Resources for Teachers: 
Activities and Discussion Topics

Sarah Stewart reads an excerpt from The Quiet Place. 
If you wish to watch the entire interview with her husband David Small, go to 
Meet the Author/Illustrator Team

Visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog for a complete list of today's Perfect Picture: HERE!

My Pen: PB Review & Author Interview

by Christopher Myers
Disney Books, 2015 

Theme: imagination

Summary 

“Acclaimed author and illustrator Christopher Myers uses rich black-and-white illustrations to bring a sketchbook to life, showing that with a simple pen, a kid can do anything!”

Favorite lines on the first spread

“Sometimes I feel small when I see those rich and famous people.

But then I remember I have my pen.”

I love the diverse stories Christopher Myers has illustrated. Here are a few.

Resources for Teachers

"Christopher Myers comes from a long line of creative storytellers. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Christopher Myers talks about his Brooklyn neighborhood, his work, and how reading touches every part of his life."

 

Visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog for a complete list of today's Perfect Picture: HERE!