​If you’ve been a  subscriber to the Rhyme Doctors’ HOUSE CALLS newsletter for the past few years, you’ve seen my posts about using poetic devices in your projects. (See archives on our website in the House Calls Blog, Poetry Prescriptions files.) I adore poetic devices, those tools we use to create rhythm, strengthen meaning, and establish a mood in our writing. They can help us build a stronger connection to readers, too. 

Usually, the Rhyme Doctors' Mentor Text posts share picture book and poetry collection titles that you can study and learn from. But today, we're stepping away to share the craft books we keep on our own shelves that educate and inspire us. We hope you will find them helpful in your own writing journeys.

I'm back again sharing more insights about writing poetry for the children's magazine market. We're continuing our discussion with Heidi Bee Roemer, poet extraordinaire, and author of over 450 magazine poems plus ten children's books.

The first book I can remember reading by myself was SNOW, by Roy McKie and P.D. Eastman. The book is part of the Dr. Seuss' Beginner Books series, a series that soon grew to dominate the beginning reader market. 

Looking for a way to give your rhyming picture book a delicious twist? Something that will tantalize editors and appeal to a wide range of readers? Try combining unexpected topics!

Over the past three months, I’ve introduced you to a few basic terms related to rhythm and meter in writing in verse as well as three poetic meters. If you missed them, you can follow these links.
the iamb - a two-syllable metrical foot commonly used in English poetry.
the trochee - another two-syllable metrical foot.
the dactyl - our first three-syllable metrical foot, but one that is less commonly used.
This month let’s study anapestic meter, made famous by a widely-known holiday poem. At the end of this post I'll also introduce you to the spondee, a lesser known poetic foot, too.

One important consideration when writing a picture book is what structure it will take. Author Pat Zietlow Miller listed several options in her post "Pick and Commit" on the Picture Book Builders blog: