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Jennifer Berne's Tips on Writing RHyming nonfiction

9/5/2023

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Writing a picture book on a complex nonfiction topic can seem like a monumental task. Adding rhyme? That can feel downright formidable. Today's guest blogger, Jennifer Berne, is here to assure you that it can be done... and done well!  In HOW THE SEA CAME TO BE (AND ALL THE CREATURES IN IT), illustrated by Amanda Hall, author Jennifer Berne tackles a vast topic: the entire history of the sea! She does so in an accessible and entertaining way, using rhyming verse. Here are Jennifer's top tips for writing picture books in rhyming verse. 

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what is it? a riddle rhyme!

8/1/2023

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When I was young, our family owned a big book of nursery and Mother Goose rhymes. I recall being especially fond of the rhymes that were riddles. "Humpty Dumpty" may be the best known of these. Here are a few others that I liked:
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Riddle rhymes are poems that describe something (or someone) without naming it. I tried my own hand at writing some riddles, and these four themed couplets were shared in Ladybug Magazine in March 2014.
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Celebrate the 4th of July with Rhyme!

6/29/2023

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Happy Fourth of July from the Rhyme Doctors! 

We hope you enjoy lots of lemonade and apple pie this Fourth of July. Oh, and of course, some poetry too! Here are a few of our favorite America-themed rhyming picture books and poetry collections to get you in the holiday groove. 

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onomatopoeia can be inspirational!

6/6/2023

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Rhyme Doctor Eileen Meyer has been exploring poetic devices on the House Calls blog, and a November 2022 post features onomatopoeia. It’s a tough word to spell, but a fun device to use when writing in rhyme. As Eileen tells us, onomatopoetic words imitate the sounds of what they mean – for example, squish, purr, whoop, twang. Use of these words can be very effective, adding fun and interest to your rhyme.
 
Onomatopoeia can become the inspiration for poems, picture books, and poetry collections.

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Humor and Rhyme: Great Playmates!

5/2/2023

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​True fact: kids love books that make them laugh. According to this Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report, more than 70% of children choose humorous picture books as their favorites. That news should bring a grin to rhyming picture book writers. Rhyme and humor are great playmates!

​Let’s take a look at two picture books that successfully combine giggles, glee, and meter.

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wondering about nature - a trio of mentor texts

4/4/2023

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If you've been writing for a while, you've likely experienced it.

You have a great idea! You brainstorm. You research. You write and rewrite and rewrite again. You pour your heart and soul into your great idea. Then you see in announcement of an upcoming book or pop into a bookstore to discover a new book with the EXACT SAME THEME!

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special post ~ pick a perfect egg

3/21/2023

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The luck of a sequel!

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With March being the month of St. Patrick's Day and all things lucky, I thought I'd thank my   lucky stars for these three books. As a picture book writer, I know how lucky it is to hit upon an idea that can generate a sequel. PICK A PERFECT EGG, recently released into the world, is a follow-up on two previous book: PICK A PINE TREE and PICK A PUMPKIN. 

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Does your Children's Poetry Collection have an engine?

3/7/2023

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Do you dream of writing poetry for kids? Have you dabbled with different poetry forms, mastered your meter, perfected your use of poetry devices? Sold a poem or two to a children's magazine or anthology? Accrued a stack of poems along the way?

​Hey, you might think, maybe it's time to gather my poems into a collection. 
A stack of picture book poetry collections spines showing that the Rhyme Doctors critique service uses as mentor texts.

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COLLABORATION INVESTIGATION: ONCE UPON ANOTHER TIME

2/7/2023

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ONCE UPON ANOTHER TIME, written by Charles Ghigna and Matt Forrest Esenwine, and illustrated by Andrés F. Landazábal, garnered high praise from award-winning poet Nikki Grimes: "Ghigna and Esenwine provide a vehicle to ferry young readers back to a time when the wonders of nature called to them more powerfully than any computer screen ever could. Once Upon Another Time's glorious poetry and paintings are a perfect pairing." 

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Another Look at Bedtime Books: Winter Lullaby

1/3/2023

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In this previous HOUSE CALLS post, we looked at the elements of bedtime books that make them conducive to children's writers who enjoy writing in rhyme: soothing language, soft cadence, a canvas ripe for poetic devices such as alliteration and assonance. 

Cover of WINTER LULLABY, a rhyming bedtime book by Dianne White, reviewed here by Rhyme Doctor Michelle Schaub

​WINTER LULLABY, by Dianne White, illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford, is a wonderful mentor text for writers wishing to explore the bedtime book genre. In this cozy book, all the forest animals are busy preparing for winter. Little Bear wants to stay active too. With each page turn, Mama Bear gently coaxes Little Bear into a long winter's nap. Snuggle in, and let's take a look what makes WINTER LULLABY such a beautiful bedtime book. ​


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    Hello from 
    ​THE RHYME DOCTORS!

    We're expert picture book authors. We love providing critiques of rhyming and lyrical picture books. In this blog, we share poetry prescriptions and mentor text referrals to help you get your manuscript in tip-top shape! 

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