Category Archives: Rhyming books

Coming in October: A Smile in your Pocket by Jarrod Zayas

It’s the morning walk to school and it doesn’t feel right. The day has started gloomy, when it’s normally bright. And, so begins a series of change that turns young Miles’ day upside down. Once friendly and familiar, everything on that school walk now seems distant, sad, or stressed. The weather. The community workers. Even the neighbor’s dog, Daisy. At school, things don’t lighten up for Miles. There, he’s introduced to a series of new rules meant to help prevent the spread of germs, and all the change overwhelms him, translating into major anxiety and sadness of his own. But, with the help of his patient teacher, Ms. Franklin, Miles learns the value of embracing change and remaining positive. And, he also learns how sharing one little smile, even one you can keep in your pocket, can bring perspective and happiness to yourself and those around you.

More relevant than ever before in our current “pandemic era,” A Smile in Your Pocket provides caregivers with a fun story time read that provides a conversation primer about good hygiene, social distancing, and coping with emotions.

Written in partnership with an accomplished child therapist, A Smile in Your Pocket combines sweet art and rhythmic text to tell a charming story that focuses on CASEL standards of social emotional development, and more specifically about combating negative emotions and the power of positivity.


This title is leveled using both the Lexile and Fountas & Pinnell reading level standards. Includes backmatter that cover tips for helping children manage stress and anxiety.

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Paw Prints (October 4, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1223183173
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1223183176
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 – 7 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 4106L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 – 2

Visit this book’s Goodreads page for more information and links to order from your favorite online retailer!

Eek! My Ink! by Raven Howell

Eek! My Ink! by Raven Howell is a colorful, imaginative rhyming story that celebrates the brilliant view of our colorful world.

A variety of colorful emotions swirl throughout this beautifully illustrated story that captures the kindness of self-love and an appreciation of the colorful, diverse world around us. This youngster travels through the pages of golden yellow, emerald flashes, violet swirls, and black stripes discovering that each and every color brings a perfect shade of song it sings.

Anke Rappen’s stunning artwork accompanies Howell’s rhyming text, bringing the story to life and encouraging the reader to turn page after page to see what color, emotion, and aspects of nature emerge.

One of the loveliest stories I’ve read this year. Highly recommended!

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

I received a paperback copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Nomophobia by JD Wise

Want a fun and zany way to encourage your kids to put away their cell phones? Pick up a copy of Nomophobia by JD Wise.

One day on Earth, children turn into ogres from spending too much time on their phones. Chaos ensues and they wonder what happened and how they can go back to normal.

The author took a serious subject and turned it into an exaggerated, silly rhyming story that will get them laughing… and thinking. I enjoy stories that tackle important subjects in ways that aren’t preachy, so this totally fits the bill.

Wise also illustrated the book with colorful illustrations to complement the story. I liked that the human figures were more on the abstract side, while the ogre characters are the house details were more defined.

If you like silly, rhyming stories, Nomophobia is a great choice.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

I received a free digital copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Nimbus, the Rain Cloud by Sandra Barnes

An adorable rhyming story about acceptance and working together can be found in Nimbus, the Rain Cloud by Sandra Barnes.

Nimbus wants to play with the cumulus clouds, but they shoo him away because the children won’t play in the rain. After the children sing, “Rain, Rain, Go Away,” Nimbus is sure the cumulus clouds are right. But once Nimbus disappears, there is no more rain, which causes all kinds of other problems.

Licensed clinical and forensic psychologist Sandra Barnes channeled her passion for multiculturalism and helping young people into a sweet story about the importance of appreciating our uniqueness, accepting others, and the joy of working together. This book teaches an important lesson in a nice way. The story is followed by a note to parents, discussion questions, and ways for readers to apply the story to their lives.

Courtney Smith created the artwork for Nimbus, the Rain Cloud. From the deep greens of the grass to the brown rabbit sipping from blue puddles to the white, blue, and black of the sky as the clouds cool the earth, each illustration brought this story to life for me.

If you like cute stories with meaningful messages, Nimbus, the Rain Cloud is an excellent choice.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

I purchased a free copy from Amazon during a special promotion. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Creature Cat Tales by M. G. Rorai

Feline lovers and lovers of odd beasts will want to check out Creature Cat Tales by M. G. Rorai.

Rhyming stories of cats with wings, zombie-cats, cats with webbed feet and more abound in this zany collection filled with helpful life lessons. Each poem is followed by colorful illustrations of these creatures by Sona & Jacob and a life lesson also in rhyme and bolded text.

If you enjoy whimsical poetry, you’ll adore Creature Cat Tales.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Book Excerpt:

Mary was a water creature

with webbed feet and tail;

her kind glided through water

as naturally as whales.

Her brother swam strong

while her sister liked to splash

Mary liked neither;

she certainly wasn’t rash.

Her tribe would hold parties

in the ocean so vast;

Mary always stayed put;

Bereft, alone and outcast.

She remembered when they were little

Running up and down the beach;

Life was the cat’s meow

to use a figure of speech

Her mother taught them to wade

and paddle just like so

then dive into the deep

and catch the fish below.

Mary had a secret

that she never said out loud;

she kept it to herself;

this thought she was not proud.

Mary was afraid of drowning

she didn’t want to chance

breathing in the water

and doing a drowning-cat dance.

So she sat on the shore

while others went out to play

until she heard a desperate mew

coming from the water one day.

A cat had fallen

from an overhanging tree;

there were no other creatures around

she would have to go into the sea.

Mary gathered her courage

and paddled out to help;

She reached the kitten in time;

As she grabbed it, it yelped.

As she pulled the small one to safety

she saw a crowd had gathered

cheering her on;

showing how much she had mattered.

Back on the shore

her siblings praised her actions

she was their quick-thinking sister

Mary grinned with satisfaction.

After that day

Mary realized she swam well;

She stopped fearing the ocean;

And now has sea stories to tell.

Fear can hold back

some truly great moments;

have the courage to try

so you don’t regret postponements.

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09GCTCT4Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (September 16, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 79 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8477962471

I received a free digital copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.