NEW YEAR/NEW BOOK!

Happy New Year, readers! The Rhyme Doctors wish you fun-filled days of reading and writing rhyme in 2024.
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My year started off with a cold in my head and a new book in world. TAXI, GO! was released in the UK last week and will arrive in bookstores in the US on February 13th.

I'm sure many of you have been asked, "Where do your ideas come from?" My answer is usually, "Anywhere and everywhere!" This new book is a good example.

The seed of TAXI, GO! can be traced back to the confluence of two things. First, an editor asked me if I had any vehicle-based manuscripts. Given the ongoing popularity of transportation books -- from Richard Scarry's CARS AND TRUCKS AND THINGS THAT GO to GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld -- I could understand the interest. I did not yet have a vehicle manuscript in my repertoire, but I was sure willing to give one a try! 

I brainstormed for weeks, but everything I came up with felt derivative or dull. Then I read a post on Tara Lazar's blog, Writing for Kids While Raising Them, written by the amazing Tammi Sauer. She had just written a book about trucks that also incorporated a children's game -- TRUCK, TRUCK, GOOSE -- illustrated by Zoe Waring. Interesting combination! What other game might make a fun picture book? I thought.

I started a list. When I wrote down "Red Light, Green Light," the creative lightbulb burned. All vehicles play "Red Light, Green Light"! But which one plays it most of all? A taxi! The story bloomed -- following a taxi's STOPs and GOs through the day, throughout the town, until it's time for bed.

The manuscript was accepted and paired with illustrator Maria Karipidou, whose pictures grace the adorable book, ANGRY COOKIE. Lucky me! Maria's friendly little cab practically jumps off the cover! And the details in her pictures give little readers so much to explore, from taxi's early morning start to bedtime ending. 

Kirkus Reviews says, "...this bright and breezy selection is sure to be enjoyed, savored, and hailed by the very young. Honk! Honk! Hooray! I hope you'll take a look.

​~Patricia Toht