RHYMES ROUND THE WORLD
edited by Kay Chorao and illustrated by Kay Chorao
The poems in this sampling of international verse originate from all over the globe, including countries such as Poland, Iran, France, China and the United States. The lively poems and songs are accompanied by Chorao’s colorful paintings, which feature her trademark joyful, round-faced tots in a variety of dynamic scenarios and landscapes. A hodgepodge of child-friendly topics are addressed, from tickling and birthdays to elephants and the rain. Source notes would have been a nice addition, as the credits are somewhat inconsistent. Most verses are attributed to a country or continent, some list an author or are labeled anonymous or traditional, while another is an “old jingle,” with no explanation provided for how the designation was made. Children may not get a clear picture of how these countries and places vary—the emphasis is more on the universal than the particular—but they will come away with the realization that children all around the world play, dance, appreciate flowers, look at the sky—and say goodnight (the illustration includes a translation in 18 languages). (Picture book/poetry. 3-5)