Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
Children’s books written in limericks!
Many of us enjoy the fun surrounding the day. We wear green to avoid a pinch, have corned beef and cabbage for dinner, partake in an Irish adult beverage, or perhaps a green-hued milkshake. Shamrocks are everywhere during the festivities.
St. Patrick’s Day actually celebrates the life of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Interestingly, March 17th is the date of his death. He is known for converting the Irish to Christianity. He may have even used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and I’m sure you’ve heard the legend of St. Patrick’s herding of snakes out of Ireland.
When I think of Ireland, I also think of limericks. Limericks are comical five-lined patterned poems with a specific rhythm. Some folks believe limericks were named after the town of Limerick, Ireland, as the town was referenced in a popular song from 1880 with the familiar limerick AABBA pattern. Others give credit to an Englishman, Edward Lear, for originating the limerick in his compilation “ Book of Nonsense” in 1846.
I’m not sure it really matters, but I am sure that limericks are fun to write, read, and even sing! You might remember that my Silly Milly the Dane Collection is written in limericks. Limericks are silly, and so is Milly, so I figured, why not? Each book in Milly’s collection has a different amount of repetition. Some are easier than others to read, but that’s what makes them beneficial for listeners and learners.
The original limericks in Silly Milly’s books were thoughtfully written to help children learn and become excellent readers! I’ve written about rhyme, repetition, and repetitive verse before, but it doesn’t hurt to repeat the info. (See what I did there?)
Rhyming and repetition have been proven to significantly enhance the cognitive development of children. It's good for their brains!
Language learning is increased through phonemic awareness and word recognition through context. Their ears and eyes work better together!
Memorization of rhymes and repetitive verse grows confidence and provides opportunities for bonding and positive social interactions. They read and smile more!
Milly’s first book will have its 5th birthday on March 30th! Do you have a copy of Silly Milly the Dane? Did you know there’s a wonderful downloadable song to go along with the book? You can get it right here on my website!
Milly has an everyday book, a birthday book, a fall book, and a Christmas book. Milly’s 5th book is being written right now! What do you think it’s about? Leave me a comment.