Lauri Meyers .

An idea popped into my head during a lovely nap on Saturday (though of course once the idea arrived, the nap had to be cut short which was most unfortunate.) This particular idea indicated it would like to be told as an alphabet book in rhyme. A very demanding idea indeed! I have not attempted an alphabet book yet. I admit it seemed like a reasonably easy endeavor. One only needs to think of 26 appropriately named items. And weave them in a story arc.  And incorporate them in alphabetical order.  And find a way to tie it in with perfect rhyme.  Easy Peasy! (by wbd via sxc.hu) As I sat at my desk (having abandoned the napping couch) trying to figure out the perfect word which started with "A," I realized I had been hoodwinked! The alphabet book is a challenging form full of rules. Though some rules can be broken, I fear starting an alphabet book with "A" is one you can't mess with.  Luckily an "A" word finally appeared and helped to...

I like to rhyme. There I said it. I've read all those fancy pants writerly books that said don't rhyme, rhyming picture books don't sell, rhyming is the quickest path to the devil (I don't remember which book said that, but I do recall having to have the house blessed after reading it)... Well, here's what I know: Even Rhymezone can't handle orange. (slice by Michal Zacharzewski, SXC) 1. Rhyming makes me happy 2. I enjoy reading rhyming picture books to my children. 3. Some rhyming picture books sell, because I've read a few hundred. 4. Rhyming is not illegal.  I can rhyme anywhere I want.  Any time I want. With anyone I please.  (Unreasonably long sidebar:  When I lived in Detroit I lived on high alert of running into Eminem at the Meijer store and having to bust rhymes with him.  It was almost as bad as my current fear of walking into a taping of the Real Housewives of New Jersey dressed in yoga pants and yelling at my child...