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Welcome, to a world where words and imagery come to life in a delightful dance of rhythm and rhyme! I am author, Josie Haley Reese, and I’ve had the joy and honor of crafting stories that not only entertain but also tickle the funny bones of little ones. (i.e. “When The Moon Comes Out” Pegasus Publishing 2023 and “The Other Tooth Fairy” Pegasus Publishing 2024). Since you are reading this, you have discovered my blog where I will tackle a variety of subjects all related to being an author and the art of storytelling. Today, we are going to dive into the enchanting realm of my favorite type of early reader book, sing-song rhymes which when done right, bring laughter and warmth to every page.

Let’s Bust a Rhyme: I feel that there is something magical about the way rhymes playfully dance both off the tongue, and around the pages of children’s books. Their sing-song rhythm not only makes reading a delightful experience but also aids in language development. “Rhyming is one of the basic skills associated with phonological awareness. “Grofčíková S, Máčajová M. ‘21. The playful repetition of sounds helps young minds grasp the intricacies of language in a fun and engaging manner.

Giggle Makers: In the world of early reader books, the power of funny rhymes is truly extraordinary. Imagine the joy on a child’s face when they encounter a witty twist or a clever play on words! Funny rhymes create a relationship with, or rather a sense of camaraderie between the book and the reader, turning the reading experience into a shared adventure filled with smiles and laughter.

A Friendly Tone: One of the keys to creating a memorable early reader book is maintaining a friendly and inviting tone. For those unfamiliar with the term tone, this denotes the writers’ attitude/feelings about the subject matter.  So, in other words if you enjoy your subject matter, that joy comes through in the story.  And since children are drawn to books that feel like old friends, a warm and friendly rhyme scheme can make the characters and stories even more endearing to them. Think of it as having a conversation with a dear friend, making the reading journey not just educational but also, emotionally enriching.

The Perfect Rhyme: The process of creating both funny and friendly rhymes involves a delicate balance of creativity and understanding your audience. It is imperative that the writer attempt to see the world through a child’s eyes.  They need the ability to find humor in the simple and everyday things. They also need to embrace the joy of wordplay.  These are the essential elements needed for crafting rhymes that resonate with young readers.

Examples of Rhyming Excellence: Let’s take a peek at a couple of my favorite Rhyming books.  First up is Sandra Boynton’s Barnyard Dance which contains friendly rhymes like “Prance with the horses, Skitter with the mice.  Swing with your partner once or twice.”  painting a fun image of barnyard animals dancing into the young readers imagination, and if your young readers are anything like mine, they will dance along with the animals as you read the book. Another of my favorite rhymes comes from the book Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. “Beep! Beep! Sheep in a Jeep on a hill that’s steep.  Ut-oh! Jeep won’t go.”  I love the way Shaw spins the tale of the sheep in such a happy upbeat way. What the two of these books have in common is, not only a display of excellent rhyming skills on behalf of their authors, but the ability to mold the rhymes around a joyous tale that will enthrall young readers and their parent alike.  Because remember the rhyme is just your presentation, your true intention is to spin a tale.

So, go ahead and let the giggles flow, as your rhyme begins to grow With every turn, a chuckle, a grin, may the rhymes keep dancing, drawing them in. Sing-song magic, page by page, turns each read into a playful stage.

Citations:

Grofčíková, S., & Máčajová, M. (2021). Rhyming in the Context of the Phonological Awareness of Pre-School Children. CEPS Journal, 11(1).

Boynton, S. (1993). Barnyard Dance. Workman Publishing Company.

Shaw, N. E. (1986). Sheep in a Jeep. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.