Albert cocked his head to the side.
His ear lifted up. He listened to the sound.
Albert’s left eye opened a little. He watched a tiny animal creep closer.
I love reading a great rhyming picture book. They are what is really attractive to me but alas, I am not a rhymer. Just ask some of my fellow critique members. I can handle a line or two but that is it. This is an excerpt of a great article on rhyming. To read the rest of the article go to
by Dori Chaconas
“Please, no rhyming stories.”
I heard it at conferences. I read it in the market guides. What? No rhyme! But I love to write in rhyme! What about all those beloved nursery rhymes? Surely they had laid the foundation for rhyming picture books.
I put the ideas for rhyming stories on my I’d-Better-Not-Do-It list, and there they stayed until I became involved in a good critique group. The writers in that group started to sell their stories, and those stories were written in rhyme. And it wasn’t just an occasional rhyming story that sold. They sold consistently. Like magic, within three years, members of the group sold a total of thirty-six books. Twenty-seven of those were written in rhyme. Then I sold three picture book manuscripts—all written in rhyme.
“Thankful’s my name. Singing praises is my game,”
said Dainty Daisy as she spread her own special
dose of Thansksgiving Day cheer.
“How can I be thankful,” whined Petula Pendergraff, “My Dad is sick. “
As always a special thanks goes out to Alice Smith @clipart4resale for her wonderful graphics. Not only is she a talented graphic artist but she is the best sister.
Salty ambled down Trustworthy Lane. He peeked at the writing on the wall. He noticed 6 pillars. What is this all about? he wondered.
“Hey new boy. Follow me,” said a girl. “I’m Gema.”
“What are all those signs and stuff on the wall?” asked Salty
*Disclaimer: Stories based on the exact set of words, names and attached graphics are already in the works.
Rowdy the Rooster crowded at exactly five o’clock in the morning . . . 
every single morning. Except for this morning. The little rooster overslept and so did most of the barnyard.
The cows didn’t wake up to give Farmer Jill her milk for breakfast.
The chickens didn’t wake up to give Farmer Jill her eggs for breakfast.
I really enjoy rhyming books, I seem to find something soothing and restful in the sing-song verses. I especially like to read them to the little one at bed time as they seem to find them restful as well.
Maueen. http://www.thepizzagang.com
Maureen,
I agree. I find them restful as well. From my early days working with preschoolers as well as my times with my own nieces and nephews I have found rhyming picture books a pleasure to read.
My niece who stayed with me for a while as a little girl and I loved being cuddled up on the couch reading.
Thanks so much for checking out my blog and leaving me a comment. I appreciate the fact that you took the time to do so. Stop by again as I am always adding more.
Peg Finley/peg366
Great Post. I love rhyme as well. I find is comforting but many editors would rather see “no rhyme, than bad rhyme”, it’s really too bad.
Suzanne http://writingonthesidewalk.wordpress.com
Suzanne,
Thanks for the nice comment.
If the truth be known, I actually would rather not rhyme if I can’t do it well. I do find them comforting to read and will continue to pick those rhyming books up and dream about being able to rhyme.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Feel free to stop by any time. I am always looking for new things to add to the blog.
Peg Finley/peg366