Rhyme Terms: Refrain - Part 1

Since the start of the year, I’ve shared a series of monthly blog posts focused on rhyme terms and rhyme schemes. Today, we’ll take a closer look at the using another element of rhyme, Refrains, in picture books.

We’ve recently covered the repetition of individual sounds and syllables with our attention on perfect rhyme, slant rhyme, end rhyme, and internal rhyme. Another useful device is to consider using a refrain. Refrains can be a fixed line, a short phrase, or even a single word used repeatedly to help add emphasis. There are a wide variety of ways in which you may employ this rhyming element with lovely results. Let’s explore some different ways in which these authors have used refrains to their advantage:

---

Refrains build tension and excitement.
​
In TO CARNIVAL! by Baptiste Paul, illustrated by Jana Glatt, the cumulative story of a little girl’s adventure to Santa Lucia’s big parade comes alive with bold colors, distinctive sounds, and tasty dishes. Glatt’s art is so festive and fun! But when Melba encounters delays on her way to the celebration, she must make adjustments  . . . and the repeated phrase “To Carnival!” ratchets up the tension and excitement as Melba figures out and charts a new path on the way to the big event!

---

---

---

Refrains reinforce an important theme or message.
 
In ALL BECAUSE YOU MATTER by Tami Charles, illustrated by Caldecott Honor Winner Brian Collier, a varied refrain flows like a golden thread throughout this beautiful picture book about love, hope and affirmation. The key language that “you matter” (as well as a play on words and the meaning of "matter") and that those who came before you and charted the course also mattered is shared in the lyrical text, culminating in a powerful ending. As we read in the author’s note, this picture book reinforces Charles’ message that all children, “no matter where they came from, they matter.”  A varied refrain provided a wonderful way to weave such an important theme through the spare poetic language of this picture book!

---

---

Refrains can create mood and musicality. 

In Julia Durango’s oldie but goodie, CHA CHA CHIMPS, illustrated by Eleanor Taylor this sweet and silly book about counting and dancing chimps uses this repeated phrasing in the numeric countdown, “ee-ee, oo-oo, ah-ah-ah! (Insert number here) little chimps do the cha-cha-cha.”

​In scene after scene at Mambo Jamba’s dance hall, we count down the number of late-night dancers from ten to one. Each repetition of this catchy refrain adds musicality and creates a lively and spirited mood in this picture book. 

---

---

​Refrains can be used effectively in such a variety of ways. In fact – I’m not quite done sharing great examples of refrains . .  . So check back in May for more tips on how using a refrain can add something special to your work-in-progress.

By Eileen Meyer, Rhyme Doctor