RHYMES THAT GO FROM HEAD TO TOE
Dyslexic Inclusive
by Raven Howell ; illustrated by Pamela Rice
This picture book celebrates the body and what it can do.
A fuzzy brown bear, a redheaded White girl with freckles, and a sandy-haired Whiteboy introduce kids to major parts of the body using rhyming verse to explain the kinds of things they let children do. Mouths, for example, are for drinking, eating, speaking, singing, humming, rapping, buzzing, or even tweeting like a bird. Hands can “Grip a crayon, / Learn to snap. / Ten fingers feel, / And touch, and tap.” The list also includes ears, eyes, noses, arms, tummies, legs, and feet (not to mention a teddy bear’s whiskers, paws, and tail). Bodies are something to smile about, concludes the girl: “Be thankful for / Each happy part!” In her latest picture book, Howell teaches kids the basics of body parts in nicely scanning, enjoyable verse. The work’s especially legible, dyslexic-friendly font is a plus—suitable for kids or dyslexic adults reading aloud. But the story assumes an audience with wide-ranging abilities, which won’t apply to all readers. Prolific children’s book illustrator Rice provides charming collagelike images that include patterns, solid colors, and a soft, spongy texture.
An attractive and playful way to help kids learn about and appreciate their bodies.