Sunday, January 17, 2021

Review - I Got the Rhythm

I Got the Rhythm

by Connie Schofield-Morrison
illustrated by Frank Morrison
Date: 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

On a simple trip to the park, the joy of music overtakes a mother and daughter. The little girl hears a rhythm coming from the world around her- from butterflies, to street performers, to ice cream sellers everything is musical! She sniffs, snaps, and shakes her way into the heart of the beat, finally busting out in an impromptu dance, which all the kids join in on! Award-winning illustrator Frank Morrison and Connie Schofield-Morrison, capture the beat of the street, to create a rollicking read that will get any kid in the mood to boogie.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

While the illustrations are cute, they're about the only thing I liked about this book, which doesn't have much story but instead offers a confusing take on rhythm.

A little girl and her mother are at the park. The child senses rhythm everywhere. She thinks of it. She hears it. She sings it. Unfortunately, she also sees it and even smells it. For this age group, that's bound to be baffling. (You might be able to argue a case in which you'd see rhythm, but smell it? Unless you're talking about syncopated farts, I'm afraid you're stretching the metaphor a bit too far.)

The pictures, however, are quite good. There's lots of diversity in the colourful and appealing illustrations. I just wish that there'd been stronger text to accompany them.

I'm afraid I can't really recommend this one; the premise is just too weak. It's worth taking a look at for the illustrations, but that's about it.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

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