SCHOOLYARD RYHMES

SCHOOLYARD RHYMES: Kids’ Own Rhymes for Rope Skipping, Hand Clapping, Ball Bouncing, and Just Plain Fun

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Sierra, Judy. 2005. SCHOOLYARD RHYMES: Kids’ Own Rhymes for Rope Skipping, Hand Clapping, Ball Bouncing, and Just Plain Fun. Ill. by Melissa Sweet. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0375825169

PLOT SUMMARY:
This is a collection of 50 chants, and rhymes that can be used for jumping rope, hand clapping games, or simply sharing and repeating with friends. Rhymes include some old favorites and some new twists—maybe some verses you didn’t even know existed.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Melissa Sweet’s water color and pencil illustrations which often incorporate the text of the rhymes—sometimes in silhouettes, sometimes in clothes, sometimes in jump ropes—bring action a humor to the chants. Rhymes are grouped by topics such as underwear, (always a favorite), animals, food, etc. Kids will love reading this book for the lyrics as well as to see how this version differs from their own.


REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Horn Book (September/October, 2005)
Kids will enjoy this celebration of naughtiness and childhood fun.

School Library Journal (October 1, 2005)
The rhythms and nonsense rhymes are irresistible, compelling memorization and participation in the fun.


CONNECTIONS:
Other similar books:
Red Hot Peppers: The Skookum Book of Jump Rope Games, Rhymes, and Fancy Footwork by Bob Boardman

Hand Clap! "Miss Mary Mack" and 42 Other Hand Clapping Games for Kids by Sara Bernstein

Anna Banana: 101 Jump Rope Rhymes by Joanna Cole