Writing a rhyming children's book

[Favored_Dahl]

I was hoping that someone has any resources they can offer me (free ones) in writing a rhyming children's picture book? Specifically, I was looking for a site that helps you come up with rhyming words more easily.

Thanks

[Torgo]

Rhymezone is a good online rhyming dictionary - just google it.

[Favored_Dahl]

Thanks --- that's exactly what I was looking for. :thumbsup:

[Toothpaste]

I just want to say that writing a rhyming book is more than just about finding words that rhyme. It's about meter and about the beat. An iambic word won't rhyme with a trochaic word for example. Well, yes technically they will rhyme, but it will throw the meter off and come across as if they don't rhyme.

Publishers are not a fan of rhyming books. The reason they are not fans is not because rhyming books are bad, but because so many authors think they can write them easily, and can't. They are very hard to write, and often when I critique rhyming books in the Share Your Work section of this forum I get a lot of anger back at me, authors asking me what does it matter if the rhyme isn't true or the meter is off, it's just a kid's book! They demonstrate exactly why publishers are so wary when they get such a book on their desk.

Make sure you never ask that question or make that statement. Do your research, understand that writing in rhyme has far more to it than just the words.

And good luck! I don't mean to discourage you, I just want you to have a clear picture of what is needed to write in this genre!

[Favored_Dahl]

Yes, I have read all the "warning" "turn back now" signs since I got this idea in my head to write these 3 particular stories as rhyming stories. I am trying to do my research on it as well. I realize that there needs to be a good story aside from the rhyming aspect as well. I would not be angry if I asked you to critique my work and gave me an honest response and were willing to work with me in providing pointers in making it a cleaner piece. I am a teacher by profession and have a good handle on the voice of the age range I will be targeting so at least I have that down.

I simply asked for the site recommendation as it will help me figure out how I should set up my sentences based on the words that work with it.

So let me address you, this is how I am approaching the story. I am writing about the difference between 2 animals and how the animals are actually very different although they look so much alike (to young children .... ages 3-6 probably). Anyway, this is the process I am following:

- research both animals and create a short list of similarites and differences
- come up with a general story (beginning/middle/end)
- then I was going to work on creating the rhymes

[timewaster]

[Publishers are not a fan of rhyming books. The reason they are not fans is not because rhyming books are bad, but because so many authors think they can write them easily, and can't.

The other reason is that it is harder to sell co editions if the author uses rhyme. Publishing is a numbers game and if you can't sell co editions the book may not be economically viable.

[possibleimp]

where is the share your work forum? And is there an easier way to know which threads you've posted to in order to keep up with replies? (I'm new)

[MsJudy]

The online tool kit lists several books on writing poetry; here's the link:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39596&page=2

[wyntermoon]

possibleimp, click here (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=26) to find the Share Your Work forum, password: vista.

To check threads to which you've posted, click on your name and choose "Find more posts by possibleimp" to display the most recent postings. :)

Welcome to AW!

[Newguy1428]

I got into writing poetry by writing songs. I was in a band in college. Made $10.00 once playing at a bar! Songs are great training because of the need for rhythm and rhyme. Most people are exposed to poetry through song. If you study modern song lyrics they have great approaches to meter and rhyme. The most important thing is every word has to make sense. No adding extra phrases to keep the meter. I think I wrote a reply on this topic here once. Meter is king, you can bend the rules of rhyme but never meter.

I had a friend once who wrote poetry and lyrics all the time, had books and books filled with them, and had a way of using single word lines that just blew me a way.

Inspiring.
Mind-blowing.
Creative.
Genius.

I still have to work to master it.

[Newguy1428]

[Publishers are not a fan of rhyming books. The reason they are not fans is not because rhyming books are bad, but because so many authors think they can write them easily, and can't.

The other reason is that it is harder to sell co editions if the author uses rhyme. Publishing is a numbers game and if you can't sell co editions the book may not be economically viable.

When they publish co-editions is it in several languages? What are the main languages of picture books? I write simple stuff. Working on my French and Spanish and maybe picking up Italian and German sounds great! We're talking basic language here, not rocket science.

[MsJudy]

Poetry is not the same as rhyming.

So, yes, there are very poetic bilingual picture books. Alma Flor Ada is probably the most famous PB writer who works in both Spanish and English, though there are certainly others.

The meter and rhyme are very different between the languages, so the translations are challenging when the book needs to rhyme. But poetry can be rhythmic without rhyming, and language can use poetic imagery without being a slave to meter. Those types of books work very well in two languages.

We were talking about Jane Yolen's Dinosaur books on another thread....I know for a fact that they have been translated into Spanish, and the original English rhymes. I haven't read the Spanish versions yet. In general, the Spanish translations end up being much more dense than the English versions. English has an economy of language that Spanish lacks--a word in English ends up becoming a phrase when it's translated. But Spanish is naturally more rhythmic, and since it has fewer sounds it's easier to rhyme.

In the U.S. there is a large and growing market for Spanish books. Other languages are published only rarely, and mostly by niche publishers targeting specific populations, usually regional.

(Did I mention I'm a bilingual teacher?)

[possibleimp]

possibleimp, click here (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=26) to find the Share Your Work forum, password: vista.

To check threads to which you've posted, click on your name and choose "Find more posts by possibleimp" to display the most recent postings. :)

Welcome to AW!

Thanks so much! It's a bit daunting trying to navigate this site. This info will help lots!

This is a very informative site, and it is encouraging (even discussing rejections!) to be among other authors.

[stormie]

The other reason is that it is harder to sell co editions if the author uses rhyme. Publishing is a numbers game and if you can't sell co editions the book may not be economically viable.
Interesting point.

[Team 2012]

May we suggest a more parsimonious solution.

McGill's VersePerfect is a free download. Resident on your computer whenever you want it. A VERY good rhyme dictionary with other thesaurus-like applications as well

http://verseperfect.en.softonic.com/ (VersePerfect Download)

[JoeEkaitis]

But if you're a celeb with 15 minutes to kill, by all means dash one off and reap that 7-figure advance.

[sissybaby]

No truer words were ever spoken.
Though rhymes be sick and meter broken.
But that's the way it seems to go.
Don't ask me why, 'cause I don't know.

Sorry about that (oh, I am so embarassed)

[possibleimp]

That is so true! lol--mayhaps I should change my name

[MsJudy]

May we suggest a more parsimonious solution.

McGill's VersePerfect is a free download. Resident on your computer whenever you want it. A VERY good rhyme dictionary with other thesaurus-like applications as well

http://verseperfect.en.softonic.com/ (VersePerfect Download)

Team 2012:

Do you have another link we can try? This one doesn't go through for me...