Rhymes and Misdemeanors by Hope Vestergaard.

Rhyme from Predictable Books, a bibliography from the Monroe County Public Library in Monroe County, Indiana.

See also: How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight by Jane Yolen (as well as her Child of Faerie, Child of Earth); Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash by Sarah Weeks; Piggy In A Puddle and The Mousery by Mary Ann Hoberman; Mr. Murry and Thumbkin by Karma Wilson; all things Lisa Wheeler (especially Sailor Moo) and Kathi Appelt (especially The Alley Cat’s Meow). See also works by Linda Ashman.

Jennifer Ward says: “I like to think that reading poetry and listening to certain music helps my writing in rhyme.

“For example, Robert Frost’s ‘Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening’ is a perfect example of rhyme. Not only is the rhyme perfect, but so is the meter. When I critique mss, I sometimes use this poem as an example of rhyme and meter for those who strive to rhyme but are having difficulty mastering the aspects.

“Music: This may sound corny, but certain songs master meter beautifully, even without rhyme. ‘America’ by Simon and Garfunkle is a good example. Just as one could set a metronome to certain musical pieces, the rhyme & rhythm to certain pb stories could also be read along with a ticking metronome. Rhyme and meter that isn’t effective will stumble.”

Thanks to Jennifer Ward, Jane Yolen, Alex Flinn, Shutta Crum; Lisa Wheeler, Jessica Swaim, and Andrea Beaty for suggestions.

Book Note: Maya Running by Anjali Banerjee is an ALAN (NCTE) Best Book for January 2005! Congratulations Anjali!

Movie Note: Alexa Vega (of “Spy Kids” fame) is darling, but “Sleepover” is a snore.