Schoolyard Rhymes, by Judy Sierra

Bibliographic Data
Sierra, Judy. 1988. Schoolyard Rhymes: Kids’ own rhymes for rope skipping, hand clapping, ball bouncing and just plain fun. Ill. Melissa Sweet. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0-375-92516-3


Plot Summary
A collection of silly rhymes that children have sung on the playground in one form or another for longer than is remembered.


Critical Analysis
There are many rhymes in this book, but there is no indication of how they are often used or what some of the variations are. While some teachers and students may enjoy creating their own hand motions or activities for the rhymes, it might be fun to learn how other children use these rhymes in play.
Sweet’s illustrations are colorful and fun. They frequently interact with the text, such as the poem that is nestled between the bow-legged sailor’s legs, or the line of rhyme that becomes “Anna Banana’s” jump rope.


Review
From School Library Journal:
“Sweet's animated watercolor-and-collage illustrations fill the pages with expressive faces, thin lines of verse shaped into jump ropes and borders, and hilarious interpretive scenes from the rhymes. This is a definite winner, as it will be enormously popular with children.” –Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI ; Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


Connections
Because there are so many concerns about the rise in children’s obesity rates, this book provides teachers with the perfect opportunity to introduce extra activity into their students’ day. Students can have jump-roping competitions, play badminton, or march while singing these fun songs. The book might also serve as a springboard for the teacher to introduce a unit on poetry.

*****

Reviews found at the Carrollton Public Library website, http://cityofcarrollton.com/library/