According to my library’s catalog, we have 628 picture book stories in rhyme and 55 nonfiction books in rhyme. That’s quite a collection for a semi-rural three branch system! While not all stories in rhyme are equal, there are many that are ideal for a toddler storytime.
Toddlers and parents can definitely relate to Llama Llama, Mad at Mama. Our red pajama llama is back for a return engagement. No bedtime worries here; our young llama is dragged from store to store on a long and boring Saturday shopping day. Whether it’s trying on clothes or shopping for the week’s groceries, “llama llama does not care.” Finally, the inevitable happens: Llama has a terrific meltdown. Store merchandise is thrown right and left. However, Mama Llama keeps her cool (amazingly enough-it’s quite an outburst). She turns the shopping experience into a fun experience for all, and little llama is no longer mad at mama. If you need a “bridge” between a short book and a longer story, this would be a fun addition to your storytime, especially if you’ve read Llama Llama Red Pajama in a previous storytime.
I was sorry that I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More didn’t receive anything for the Caldecott when it was published, because it’s one of my favorites. After painting the ceilings, walls, the curtains, and just about everything else with paint, the young narrator (no indication of gender) finds the hidden paints and adorns herself with paint. The text is set to “It Ain’t Gonna Rain No More,” but it’s not necessary that you sing the text when presenting the story (although it would be hard for me to not sing it). After all but one body part is covered with paint, our young narrator says:
“But I’m such a nut
gonna paint my ____”
(Then Mother discovers what he/she is up to.)
“WHAT?!”
Big laughs. Big laughs from your storytime crowd.
“Y’all don’t faint…
’cause there ain’t no paint!
So I ain’t gonna paint no more!”
We see the child sitting in a paint-smeared bathtub.
Will some parents (or librarians/teachers) fuss about the repeated use of “ain’t?'” Perhaps…but it is based on the song. I’ve used it in storytimes several times, and haven’t had any objection. In fact, it usually gets checked out after I read it.
I normally don’t include more than one book by the same author, but wouldn’t you make an exception for Karen Beaumont? Rover is dry (and bored) in his doghouse during a rainstorm. However, a cat needing shelter appears. “Move over, Rover!” A raccoon follows suit, as do several more animals. However, Skunk demands shelter as well. Animals scatter right and left, until the rainstorm is over and Rover can reclaim his doghouse.
There’s a wee element of surprise, which always makes for a top-notch selection. We don’t immediately know why the animals have scattered until the page is turned and we see Skunk lazing away in the empty doghouse. You can also encourage your audience to chime in when you say, “Move over, Rover!”
Hey, Pancakes! is the shortest picture book in this group, but it was a big hit with this morning’s storytime. The kids decide to make pancakes for breakfast; not surprisingly, they make a huge mess. However, the pancake flipping is quite impressive. We see them sifting the flour (no frozen pancakes here-this is the real deal), flipping the pancakes, adding maple syrup, and everyone enjoying the fruits of their labor. Naturally, they’re sticky with syrup and butter, so that gets taken care of after a most scrumptious breakfast. Very short sentences and high-quality comic illustrations make this a great choice if you have a young toddler group.
Any fingerplay will do for a stories in rhyme storytime. “Ten in the Bed” (or, as I do it with my toddler group, “Five in the Bed”) works well when anchored with Move Over, Rover.
Books Mentioned:
Beaumont, Karen. I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! San Diego: Harcourt, 2005.
Beaumont, Karen. Move Over, Rover! San Diego: Harcourt, 2006.
Dewdney, Anna. Llama Llama, Mad at Mama. New York: Viking, 2007.
Weston, Tamson. Hey, Pancakes! San Diego: Harcourt, 2003.
I know I’m leaving out a ton of great stories in rhyme. Which ones are your favorite?