Tag Archives: Stories in Rhyme

Elem. – Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt?

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Wilder, Derick. Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt? Illustrated by K-Fai Steele. Chronicle Books, 2022. 978-1-452-18212-4. Unpaged. $16.99. PreK-1.

On the way to school, a father and child debate a very interesting question: “Which things do and don’t have butts?” Hilarity ensues as the father either confirms or denies whether various items and creatures have butts, from frogs, butterflies, and sheep to bulldozers, storm clouds, and crayons–and everything in between. Readers will be entranced by the rhyming, lyrical flow of the text and delighted to discover hidden bottoms within the illustrations on every page. 

THOUGHTS: This entertaining read is sure to evoke many laughs. While the father and child have brown skin, the other characters are all very diverse. This is a solid purchase for libraries looking to incorporate more humorous stories into their collections.

Picture Book Julie          Ritter, PSLA Member

Elem. – I Like This, You Like That

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Ashman, Linda. I Like This, You Like That. Abrams Appleseed, 2022. 978-1-419-75089-2. Unpaged. $16.99. PreK-1.

Written as dialogue between friends, this book follows two children as they compare their likes and dislikes with one another. They discover that they don’t have much in common; in fact, they are opposites in many ways. Will they be able to accept their differences, or will these differences get in the way of their friendship? Told in rhyming verse and accompanied by soft, playful illustrations, this is a charming tale of friendship and acceptance.

THOUGHTS: The lyrical, rhyming text makes this book the perfect read-aloud choice for young children. It also would serve as an excellent segue into discussion about accepting others for who they are and respecting their differences. Two different genders and two different skin tones are represented in the story, further emphasizing the fact that our differences should not interfere with our friendships.

Picture Book          Julie Ritter, PSLA Member

Elem. – This Story is Not About a Kitten

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De Seve, Randall. This Story is Not About a Kitten. Illustrated by Carson Ellis. Random House Studio, 2022. 978-0-593-37453-5. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades PreK-2.

When a scared kitten is discovered beneath a car, an entire neighborhood comes together to help coax the kitten out, care for it, and find it a home. Readers will discover, however, that the story is not about the cat; rather, a much loftier concept is at play. Young readers will adore this endearing story about the value of compassion and community.

THOUGHTS: The beautiful gouache illustrations in this book depict a wonderfully diverse neighborhood. People of multiple colors, ethnicities, ages, shapes and sizes are included. Repetition and rhyming text make this a delightful read aloud for young children. The importance of the book’s message – that working together is beneficial for all – cannot be overstated either. Overall, this is a solid purchase for libraries servicing young children.

Picture Book          Julie Ritter, PSLA Member

Elem. – Dark on Light

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White, Dianne. Dark on Light. Beach Lane Books, 2022. 978-1-534-48789-5. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades PreK-2.

As twilight arrives, three children head outside to explore. Equipped with a flashlight, they walk through the fields and into the forest, admiring the wonders of nature as they appear in the shadows of the night. Eventually, they make their way back home and snuggle into their cozy beds, where they will sleep until morning. Gorgeous illustrations and lyrical text make this a beautiful nod to nature’s hidden nighttime beauty.

THOUGHTS: I absolutely love the breathtaking artwork in this book. In the opening spread, twilight descends upon a farm in all of its colorful glory. Over the next couple of pages, the sky turns a color reminiscent of the most beautiful sunset and then eventually fades to black. Despite the darkness, however, the wonders of nature are illuminated by a flashlight and by the stars and moon. This book serves as a gentle, lovely reminder that even when things seem dark, there is always still beauty and light. Coupled with these gorgeous illustrations, the rhyming, repetitive text makes this a perfect bedtime read aloud for young children.

Picture Book          Julie Ritter, PSLA Member

Elem. – Bathe the Cat

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McGinty, Alice. Bathe the Cat. Chronicle Books, 2022. 978-1-452-14270-8. Unpaged $17.99. Grades K-2.

Bathe the Cat is a funny rhyming picture book about a family whose grandmother is coming to visit, so they make a list of chores to do. One of those chores is to bathe the cat, which doesn’t make the cat very happy. So the cat spends the rest of the picture book messing the chore list up, so they end up doing things like mowing the floor and mopping the fishes. Finally by the end of the book the chores are done, grandma has come, and the cat escaped their bath. Throughout this book, the reader will love finding the cat and their mischievous ways they mess with the chores.

THOUGHTS: Wonderful picture book with charming illustrations. Definitely a great addition to any elementary collection.

Picture Book          Mary McEndree, Lehigh Valley Regional Charter Academy

Elem. – Gold!

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Shannon, David. Gold! Viking, 2022. 978-0-593-35227-4. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades PreK-2.

Unlike other kids his age, Max Midas isn’t interested in things like toys and chocolate. Instead, he seeks one thing: gold. Max is ruthless in his quest to gain more gold. He sabotages his neighbor’s lemonade stand in order to help his own lemonade stand succeed. He buys his parents a house, but then charges them rent to live there. Eventually, he builds himself a golden castle atop a golden mountain of coins. One day, he decides to eat some gold dust, which causes him to transform into a solid gold statue. Helpless, he watches his neighbors below as they go about their business, mingling with one another. As he realizes all of the things he’ll have to miss out on now, a tear slips out. Will Max return to normal, or will he remain a statue, forever regretting the error of his ways? This modern retelling of the King Midas myth will have children questioning whether riches really matter or not.

THOUGHTS: I love the last line of the story: “Gold can never make you feel… As good as being nice.” Spreading kindness is a popular theme in children’s books but an important message nonetheless. This book, with its rhyming text and cartoonish illustrations, would make a great read aloud. It also could be used in the classroom to introduce the subject of Greek mythology.

Picture Book          Julie Ritter, PSLA Member

Elem. – Sometimes Love

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Moore, Katrina. Sometimes Love. Illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2022. Unpaged. $17.99 978-0-593-32382-3. Grades K-2.

Sometimes an author’s words and illustrator’s drawings blend together perfectly. This is one such time. Moore pens a sentence or two per page, and Ruiz brings the story to life visually. A toddler is introduced by her parents, dark-skinned father and white military mother, to a puppy, and it’s love “at first lick.” Additional pages and pictures show how the girl’s bond with the dog grows through a variety of situations, discipline, compromise, and fun. Then, the parents share sad news with their daughter then lead her away from a Pet Center to a vehicle packed with change, to a place her dog cannot go.  “Sometimes love is letting go.” In her new home, the girl makes new friends, shares memories of her dog, and weathers a year (or two) until her family moves again. Once again at the “Pet Care for Serving Soldiers” center, the girl reunites with her dog in a scene of happiness, “where love has grown” (author’s emphasis). The closing page spread shows more ‘photos’ of the girl growing up with her dog, and a message from the author about helpful organizations such as Dogs on Deployment, which offer military personnel in-home boarding with volunteers until the military commitment is over. 

THOUGHTS: A winning combination of words and illustrations to send the message, “Changes come and changes go. Love through changes makes love grow.”  Highly recommended.

Picture Book          Melissa Scott, Shenango Area SD

Elem. – Donut: The Unicorn Who Wants to Fly

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Gehl, Laura. Donut: The Unicorn Who Wants to Fly. Illustrated by Andrea Zuill. Random House Studio, 2022. 978-0-593-37625-6. $17.99. 40 p. Grades PK-2.

Unicorn fans will be thrilled with this new title. Donut is a wingless unicorn with a rainbow horn who desperately wants to fly. Donut tries many flying strategies but is unable to fly. A pair of bunnies and a flock of friendly birds help Donut to achieve the ultimate goal through a series of amusing plans. Eventually Donut is successful, with a little help from the woodland friends. Told in minimal rhyming language with bright ink drawings by illustrator Andrea Zuill, this is a fun and fantastic read aloud. 

THOUGHTS: Absolutely adorable. The pictures combined with only a few words of text tell a delightful story of grit, ingenuity, persistence, and teamwork. There are many possible STEAM activity tie-ins with this selection.

Picture Book          Anne McKernan, Council Rock SD
Fantasy

Elem. – Captain Cat Goes to Mars

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Virjan, Emma J. Captain Cat Goes to Mars. Simon Spotlight, 2022. 978-5-344-9574-6. Unpaged. $17.99. Grades PreK-1. 

Captain Cat (last seen in Captain Cat and the Pirate Lunch) is back for a new adventure. This time he is working with Pilot Matt (a dog) to build a spaceship with the goal of traveling to Mars. When their ship is built, they put on their spacesuits and blast off, heading straight for the Red Planet. After landing, they encounter Zoof, Zeff, and Zatt, three green aliens who reside on the planet. Together, they explore the planet, make angels in the dust of Mars, and explore craters and more. When a storm moves in, the spaceship is damaged when it is blown over. Will Cat and Matt become permanently stranded? Perhaps with some help from their new friends, they will be able to find a way home.

THOUGHTS: Part of the Ready to Read series, this volume is designed for beginning readers. The text features simple words in rhyming couplets written in large font. The title is sure to hold appeal for early readers, especially those who enjoy humor, animals, and/or aliens. Recommended for libraries serving primary age students.

Picture Book          Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem. – If You Find a Leaf

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Sicuro, Aimée. If You Find a Leaf. Random House Studio, 2022. 978-0-593-30659-8. $17.99. 40 p. Grades PK-2.

This is a delightful, rhyming tribute to the pleasures of autumn. A single leaf sends a young child on a day spent imagining scenes that could be created using colorful fall leaves. Leaves are turned into boats, hammocks, a dog bed, hot air balloons, and so much more. Beautifully illustrated in ink, charcoal, watercolor, photographs, and collage. Detailed instructions on how to preserve leaves to create art based on the illustrations are included. A picture book celebration of autumn and creativity.

THOUGHTS: A wonderful, gentle read aloud that would be a lovely companion to Ehlert’s Leaf Man.

Picture Book          Anne McKernan, Council Rock SD