There is a truth universally acknowledged that a picture
book writer in pursuit of le mot juste, must not make it a rhyming one.
Picture books, the ones conceived for the youngest listeners
who adore rhyme. Imagine that.
The reasons agents and editors give is that most of us think
we can rhyme well, but most of us can’t. Add to that are commercial
considerations with a long view to foreign languages editions. Translating rhyming
texts is even harder than rhyming well in the original language.
All true. But still.
Rhyme has charm. Rhyme has beat. Rhyme tickles and tingles the
bottom of feet.
Gotta get up. Gotta dance. Love to rhyme?
Take a chance.
So, as I just demonstrated, it is hard to do well.
But if you must, then do. Take a chance. Some texts just beg for it.
