PB 14:14 – Top 10 Picture Book Story Elements – It’s Time for Rhyme

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

Today is the first day of Christie Wright Wild’s PB 14:14…fourteen days of immersing ourselves in picture books – probably the best Valentine’s day gift I could ever get!

I was honored to guest-post on Christie’s blog today: http://christiewrightwild.blogspot.com/2015/02/pb-1414-in-2015-day-one-with-vivian.html

And I’m thrilled to be participating in this challenge – examining ten different elements that make a picture book sing. Here is the list from Christie’s blog sidebar:

 

I’ve always loved to use rhyme when I write – I can remember, as a child, penning little verses to put on homemade birthday cards. Here’s an example of a picture book that is all about RHYME.

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Title: ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR

Author: Laura Gehl

Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld

Publisher: Beach Lane Books

Date: 2014

Word Count: 350

Top 10 Element: Rhyme

Rhyme is a very important element in this story – underwear, share, fair

                                                            Snacks, packs, backpacks

                                                            Teal, seals, wheels, deal

                                                            Bars, cars, jars

                                                            Planned, band, grand, hand

It’s also a counting book – and of course, the word ‘underwear’ encourages laughter each time it is repeated…which it is!

My six-year old grandson will listen to it (and now is able to read it back to me) over and over again. He especially loves the rhyme because he is able to anticipate what the end word will be – that is so much fun for kids.

So for the next 13 days, I’ll be taking a look at ten important elements in picture books…hope you’ll come along for the ride!

19 thoughts on “PB 14:14 – Top 10 Picture Book Story Elements – It’s Time for Rhyme”

  1. Hi Vivian, The book cover of ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR has been floating around the web. But I have not read this book. I’m sure little ones love the rhyme.

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  2. Vivian, yes! Rhyme is SO VITAL an element for early listeners and first readers who are learning the love of books and the love of story. Rhyme ruled when I was a kid (just under 60 yrs ago) so I wonder if that’s why I struggle to write WITHOUT it. 🙂 Glad you are participating as well this year. Keep bringing on the story elements.

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    • Yay for Rhyme…I’m a lover of verse as well, Damon. 😉 And yes, even though agents frown at rhyming picture books and editors say no…I think it’s more of a problem of bad rhyme or lack of story. Because there are lots of rhyming books being published…but most of them are pretty darn great. 🙂 And kids do love rhyme!

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    • Oh Marylin…you are such a wonderful cheerleader…thank you so much for taking the time to go to read my guest post…the second half of that post was Christie’s work…I don’t want to take credit for the awesome research she did. 😉 🙂 It’s turning out to be a wonderfully educational challenge…and a great ‘excuse’ to read more picture books!

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    • I’m so glad you are joining in with this challenge, Cecilia! Something happened to my weekend…I was supposed to have time to read all the blog posts for PB 14:14…and you’d think, with all the snow we’ve been having, I’d have the time, since I can’t go anywhere. As Scarlett O’Hara said, “Tomorrow is another day.” Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving this kind and generous comment…

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