A selection of books given rhythm with rhyme, whether ridiculous, revolting or profound, selected by children’s author Vicky Cowie.
Ginger’s Adventures (A Ladybird Book)
My earliest favourite rhyming book, about a little boy and his dog Ginger who is sent far away. But nothing will stop Ginger getting back to Tommy. A heartwarming story of the importance of relationships.
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy by Lynley Dodd
The happy neighbourhood dogs go for a walk but suffer the wrath of Scarface Claw the tomcat. I called my Great Dane Hercules Morse (as big as a horse)!
The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb
A tale of innocence and imagination, as a mother and daughter make a wonderful string of paper dolls. Snip, goes the mean boy. So the little girl keeps them safe in her imagination. Years later, she makes a new string of paper dolls with her own daughter.
Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
A game changer, as the first book that made me want to write in rhyme. The witty way classic fairytales are turned around made me laugh.
Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffman
These Victorian tales always make me giggle, warning children what will happen to them if naughty or unkind. One reminds me of a rhyme I wrote when little: why it’s not a good idea to suck your thumbs! A little gruesome but hilarious.
