Congrats Week 1 Daily Prize Winners!
Did you read and comment on all the blog posts last week?
These folks did!!
There were many people whose names I drew that didn’t comment on that day’s blog post, so they didn’t win a prize. We have 242 people registered for RhyPiBoMo 2016. I use Random.org to choose a winner. Then I check to see if that person on my Master Registration list commented on a post for a certain day. LOTS of people lost the chance to win a prize so don’t forget to read and comment daily!
Day 1 Maria Gianferrari
Autographed Copy of DR. SEUSS BIOGRAPHY by Author Tanya Anderson
Day 2 Patricia Toht
Autographed Copy of THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT by Best in Rhyme Award Winner Penny Parker Klostermann
Day 3 Sara Gentry
Copy of THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR CELEBRATIONS (Student Edition) from Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong
Day 4 Mona Pease
Autographed Copy of ALL YEAR ROUND by Susan Katz
Day 5 Jill Proctor
Autographed Copy of MONSTER TROUBLE By Lane Fredrickson
Day 6 Helen Zax
RPB Revolution Conference Recording ($50.00 value)
Prize winners, please email (Angie.karcher@yahoo.com) or message me with your contact information. Typically, the books will be mailed directly from the author, so please allow a few weeks. If you haven’t received your prize by the end of April, please let me know.
I want to extend a huge thanks to KidLitTV‘s Katya Szewczuk, Laurel Nakai and Julie Gribble for the latest RhyPiBoMo “SHAKE IT OFF” Parody! Please extend your appreciation to them for such a fun way to celebrate RPBs! Thank you KidLitTV!
Rhyming Critique Groups will be organized this week!
Thank you Dawn Young for organizing our rhyming critique groups again this year! Dawn will post a sign up on our Facebook page so please sign up there if you want to join a rhyming critique group! You MUST be on the RhyPiBoMo Official Registration List to participate this year as we have so many people to accommodate. This is a great opportunity to find other rhymers, as it’s tough to find a rhyming crit group.
So now without further ado, I give you today’s guest blogger!
I’m pleased to introduce
Author Anika Denise
Author Anika Denise
“Do You Want Hot Sauce With That?”
How Rhyme Can Spice-up A Story
Imagine your manuscript is a burrito.
A strong story arc is your hardy whole wheat tortilla. Lyrical language, flawless meter, a delicious sprinkling of assonance and alliteration. . . they’re the beans, rice and cheese. But without your story tortilla to wrap them up and hold them together, all you have is heap of ingredients plopped on a plate.
In other words, rhyme should always serve story. It should show up carrying a tray and say, “Do you want hot sauce with that?”
I’m often asked at school visits how I decide whether to write in rhyme or prose. The answer I give (the one that really impresses teachers) is, “Um, I don’t know.”
Because to be honest, it’s a gut thing. Some stories simply feel right for rhyme.
I chose to write my first picture book PIGS LOVE POTATOES in rhyme because it’s a counting book for very young readers, and rhyming and counting are a natural fit. For BAKING DAY AT GRANDMA’S, the words poured out like a recipe: “flour, sugar, butter, eggs./ Stand on chairs with tippy legs… One hot cocoa at each place./ Frosty window, smiley face.”
When the idea for my forthcoming picture book, MONSTER TRUCKS, came to me, I wasn’t immediately sure it would rhyme, but I had a strong hunch. What, with all the screeching and howling, thrashing and crashing—and the opportunity to write a perky blue VW bus who putt-putts and toot-toots her way into readers’ hearts? I couldn’t resist.
Illustration © 2016 Nate Wragg
If you’re contemplating writing in verse, I’d start there. Ask yourself, does rhyme feel right for this idea? If it’s a yes, then ask why. Being able to articulate why rhyme suits a story not only underscores it as the best choice, but helps you effectively use poetic techniques to spice things up.
Here are THREE WAYS you can use rhyme to spice up your story.
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To build tension.
Rhyme, rhythm and repetition can build tension beautifully in a picture book, especially when designed around the all-important page turn.
One of my favorite examples is Ammi-Joan Paquette’s GHOST IN THE HOUSE. Her words read like a bump in the night. They are expertly paced, and serve to heighten suspense as each new creature enters the scene.
Illustration ©2015 Adam Record
There’s a ghost in the house,
In the creepy haunted house,
On this dark, spooky night, all alone.
And he goes slip-slide
With a swoop and a glide
Until suddenly he hears. . .
A GROAN!
And a mummy makes two in the house,
In the creepy haunted house,
On this dark, spooky night, on the prowl.
And they shuffle around
Without even a sound
Until suddenly they hear…
A GROWL!
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To bring the funny.
Rollicking rhymes with a touch of silly can really bring the funny. Add in a little irreverence, and you’ve got ‘em rolling in the aisles!
My favorite irreverently hilarious rhyming picture book is Penny Parker Klostermann’s award-winning THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT.
Illustration © 2015 Ben Mantle
Seriously, the clippity, clippity, clippity clop line made me snort coffee out of my nose the first time I read it.
Another fabulous mentor text is Josh Funk’s pun-filled LADY PANCAKE AND SIR FRENCH TOAST.
Illustration © 2015 Brendan Kearney
Josh’s rhyming tale of two breakfast foods in a race to the syrup is a veritable smorgasbord of clever wordplay and saucy retorts.
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To create emotional resonance.
In other words, heart. To be clear, I’m not talking heart strings—although lyrical verse in a beautifully crafted story can tug them in the very best way—I mean using rhyme to evoke emotion, any emotion, authentically.
Beth Ferry’s STICK AND STONE does this so incredibly well, I want to show it to every writer learning the craft of picture books. With the sparest of rhyming text , Beth delivers an emotionally resonant tale about loneliness, courage and friendship.
Illustration ©2015 Tom Lichtenheld
Not to mention a perfect story arc complete with conflict, tension, a successful quest and a satisfying resolution.
So start with the tortilla, make sure there are no holes or thin bits, then add all your favorite rhyming ingredients, dab on some hot sauce, and dig in.
Bio:
Anika Denise is a children’s book author and poet. When not writing stories about piggies and elephants and bears (oh my!) she’s either cooking, baking, reading or attempting to do all three at the same time. Her published picture books include Pigs Love Potatoes, Bella and Stella Come Home and Baking Day at Grandma’s (Philomel). She has several more coming soon, including a rhyming tale of vroom and doom titled Monster Trucks, illustrated by Nate Wragg (HarperCollins 2016), Starring Carmen, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez (Abrams 2017), and The Best Part of Middle, illustrated by her husband Christopher Denise (Christy Ottaviano Books 2018). Anika and Chris live in Rhode Island with their three kids, overgrown vegetable gardens, pesky squirrels and a slew of imaginary friends.
Visit Anika online at anikadenise.com and on Twitter @AnikaDenise.
Baking Day at Grandma’s
Bella and Stella Come Home
Monster Trucks
Pigs Love Potatoes
Website
YouTube
Thank You Anika!
PLEASE like our guest bloggers on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, go to their websites and express your appreciation for their time and wisdom! Many have generously donated multiple prizes and this event would not be successful without their support, so please support them! Oh…and buy their books too!!
To be eligible for today’s prize drawing by Random.org you must comment at the bottom of the page where it says “Leave A Reply” AND add your FIRST and LAST name in the comment. If I don’t have your name or how to contact you via email, you can’t win.
You must be a member of the RhyPiBoMo Facebook Group and if you haven’t officially registered, you are not eligible to win.
Please follow the pledge rules daily to get the most out of this challenge!
The drawings will be done daily and announced on Saturday of each week.
Angie Karcher 
Thank you Anika. You had me at burrito, one of my favorites. – Judy Rubin
A nice article, with nicely illustrated examples of pacing and use of rhyme. I enjoyed reading it.
Stephanie Salkin
I love how you turned the do’s and don’ts into a clever recipe–a metaphor I adore!
Joy Main – brilliant burrito reminder about all the essential ingredients for a rhymer, and of course the hot sauce. Thank you.
Thank you so much Anika! I loved your post, the burrito analogy, and all the books featured. I live in Europe and so am discovering your books for the first time thanks to RhyPiBoMo! I’ll have to find a way to get them over here. They look wonderful!
I love the examples you have chosen – I bought LADY PANCAKE AND SIR FRENCH TOAST for my niece and nephew in Madagascar for Christmas – they loved it as much as I did! Ramona Davey
Melinda Kinsman – Thanks for a great post, Anika, and for introducing me to some more great rhyming texts to check out. 😊❤️
Deborah Allmand
Anika, what a wealth of knowledge you gave us today with examples to follow. Tension, humor and emotional resonance are very tall orders but your examples showed us tweaking words can achieve these things. Thanks for the post and best of luck with your forthcoming books.
Mona Pease
Great post, Anika. Sound advice, Yes, every story needs the same basic ingredients. It’s the wraping and spicing that makes it sing (or is it sting!). Thank you.
And thanks Angie, I won a prize! I’m excited, ya, ya!!!
Anne Bielby: Thanks for the meaty post. Lots of good things to think about.
Nadine Poper: Anika, great advice. I will add these ideas as my device, as I sit down the next time to work on perfecting my rhyme.
Thanks!
I guess when rhyme is flawless, we often don’t even realize it’s there. I’m headed back to re-read Stick and Stone. –Wendy Greenley
Kirsti Call
I just reserved your book, Anika. I can’t wait to read them! Thanks for the great insights and advice about writing rhyming picture books!
Those were great mentor texts, and a nice way to *divide* the impacts of writing in verse. Great post today. Thanks! Sherry Howard
Anika, thank you for the rhyming tips. Great article!
Anika,
Many thanks – what a great post and mentor books. Headed out to read the ones mentioned which I have not – looking forward to Monster Trucks!
That was really helpful for me. This morning I was thinking about how to add some of these elements. Thank you…
Nancy Mindo
Anika, thanks for showing us why to use rhyme. I have one PB that doesn’t know which direction to take – rhyme or prose. Manju Howard
Anika, I enjoy the rhyming picture book tips. Thank you for sharing.
What a great blog, Anika! Those stories are all such great examples of what you can do with a good story and rhyme.
Pat Haapaniemi
MaryLee Flannigan- thank you Anika. Great advice – love the taco explanation. Yes, everything tastes better with a little hot sauce.
Jen Garthe — Thank you for the insight, Anika, and for highlighting some mentor texts. I’m running out to acquire Stick and Stone ASAP!
That was a tasty delivery. Thank you, Anika for your rhyme revelations!!
Andria Rosenbaum
Donna Rossman – Congratulation to all the first week winners and thank you, Anika for such a motivational blog post!!!!!! 🙂 Love the books you chose to illustrate adding hot sauce to bring out the spice!!!!! 🙂
Melissa Stoller —
hi Anika: I loved Baking Day at Grandma’s! Thanks for the great burrito analogy and for the excellent examples from these beautiful mentor texts. I look forward to reading your upcoming books!
Thank you for great examples and inspiring me to get my butt in gear ! I’m so glad I found this blog and page I appreciate all the expert help!! Your books are beautiful!
Amy Murrell. Thank you, Anika, for the great burrito analogy along with awesome mentor text ideas.
David McMullin. It’s nice to see some specific examples of how rhyme can enhance the story. Thanks, Anika!
Julie Schuh-
Thank you, Anika! You definitely gave us some food for thought.
Janet Smart. Thanks for the post. Lots of great examples! I love rhyming picture books.
Thanks for your words of wisdom–you make it look so easy! I now have a couple new books to read.
Wonderful article on how rhyme can move a story. Ghost in the House is a great example. Suddenly I am craving Mexican for lunch!
Ann Kelley Awesome post! Lots of great information! I can’t wait to read Monster Trucks!
Linda Schueler: I love rhyme when it leads into a great page turn but also when it’s funny.
Thank you for today’s post, Anika. Your recipe for a great story is full of tasty information, delectable tidbits of flavor, and is a main course of whys and hows to get a great story idea in motion. I’m excited to read your new book and wish you great success with all!
Natalie McNee
Anika, you’ve made me hungry for more – food and rhyme 🙂 Your books look adorable and I’ll definitely be scouring for them here in Oz.
Gayle C. Krause
Love your rhyming definition, Anika. A story burrito brings the topic to the table! 🙂 Love your books too!
Kristen Foote
Wonderful examples – and really helped to hit the points home!!! Thanks for this super helpful post!!
Debbie McCue
Anika, wonderful blog post. Your ideas about how rhyme can add spice to a story are so true.
I’m glad to be introduced to you, because, I think I’m going to love your books! I can’t wait to get reading — your books as well as the ones you recommend.
Michele Katz Grieder
GREAT POST, Anika! (But all this talk of burritos has made me hungry!!! 😀 )
Wonderful advice with perfect examples to back it up!
Thank you!
Mary Warth
Thanks Anika for the terrific mentor texts! I’ll be taking the list straight to the library.
Enjoyed the article. Thank you so much, Anika.
Great post! Great burrito analogy: tortilla to wrap everything up tight and right. Tension, humor, resonance: I’ll remember those three. With hot sauce on top.
Shelley Kinder
Thanks Anika for a wonderful post! You’ve given me some great books to put on hold at the library. I love what you said about how you decide to write in rhyme or prose…”Um, I don’t know.” That makes complete sense to me…because I feel like a lot of times in writing, you have to just go with your gut (and then get shot down by the critics later…LOL). Thanks again!
Jill Giesbrecht – We love burritos around here! Thanks so much for the vivid metaphor.
Great Post Thanks for s haring.
DebbieLubbert Good advice! Thanks for sharing.
Jill Proctor – Thank you, Anika! Burritos are my favorite – I’ll never look at them the same way again. It’s all about the story. I look forward to reading your books – they look darling!
Great post, Anika! I love your choice of STICK AND STONE to show the power words and images have to draw out emotions, and sometimes less is more.
I like funny too. I enjoy turning a phrase and have a dry sense of humor. It always gets me if they’re rhymed perfectly and also carry a good cadence, then I am delighted. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing you thoughts and book reccomendations! ~ Jess
You’re right, there is no real answer to why or when a manuscript should be in rhyme UNLESS the story begs to be told in rhyme. It’s more of a FEELING an author gets. But for humor, suspense or emotion is such a perfect way of explaining the WHY of choosing rhyme. Great post! Thank you’.