Samuel DenHartog's Blog: The Road to 1,440 - Posts Tagged "rhymes"

Hello, my fellow rhyme enthusiasts!

Yo, check it, ya'll! "Bedtime Rhymes for Baby Gangstas" is straight up takin' your favorite nursery rhymes and givin' 'em a whole new flavor. We're talkin' Mother Goose meets the streets, with characters like Little Bo Peep and Humpty Dumpty lookin' fly as ever. If you're looking for some bedtime rhymes that'll have you drifting off to dreamland with style, then this is the book for you.

Picture this: you're all tucked in, cozy in your crib, and the soft beats of these rhymes are the perfect lullaby to rock you to sleep. From tales of cruising to chilling with your homies, these rhymes are gonna have you feeling like the boss baby you are.

So, kick off your kicks, grab your favorite teddy bear, and get ready to drift off to dreamland in the most gangsta way possible. Trust me, this ain't your mama's lullaby – it's bedtime rhymes for baby gangstas, all day, every day.

We're taking old-school classics from Mother Goose, adding a splash of street swagger, and serving them up fresh and fly for you and your lil' crew. Every page cracks a new rhyme, turning up the cool to max chill. It's all about bringing a slick, new twist to bedtime, making it as funky as a fresh DJ set.

Stay chill, stay fly,
Sam DenHartog

Are you ready for an adventure that soars beyond the ordinary? My spellbinding new children's book invites young readers to explore a fantastical world where each letter of the alphabet is represented by a delightful dragon with its own unique tale. From Amelia, the adventurous apple eater, to Zara, the zealous zoo zipper, these dragons are fun creatures who can't wait to introduce kids to the wonders of the alphabet!

Each page of this enchanting book turns into a vibrant, action-packed story that not only captivates but also educates. As children meet each dragon, they're learning about the joy of discovering new words. Imagine your child's delight as they join dragons who dance under the moonlight, forge friendships deep in enchanted forests, and spread their wings high above cloud-capped mountains.

Perfectly suited for children aged 4-7, this book is a magical introduction to literacy that goes beyond the traditional ABCs. It's about sparking curiosity, inspiring adventure, and creating moments of wonder with every flip of the page.

Whether it’s story time before bed or a daytime adventure in reading, these dragon tales offer endless enjoyment and learning opportunities. So, let your child open this book and let their imagination fly high with the dragons of the alphabet.

Who knows what heights they’ll reach?

Enchanted by dragons,
Samuel DenHartog

Are you ready to sprinkle some magic dust on your child’s alphabet learning? My latest children's book, "Alphabet Fairies" is a gateway to a magical realm where each fairy, from Ariel the Artistic to Zinnia the Zestful, brings a letter of the alphabet to life. Crafted especially for kids aged 4 to 7, this enchanting book combines the joy of fairy tales with the essential building blocks of learning—letters and values.

Imagine a place where streams sparkle under the dance of tiny fairy feet, and meadows bloom with flowers whispering tales of courage, kindness, and friendship. In "Alphabet Fairies," your child will not only learn their ABCs but also the values that make us better friends and kinder people.

Perfect for bedtime stories or a fun, educational session in the classroom, "Alphabet Fairies" ensures learning is always wrapped in fun. Whether read aloud or explored independently, these tales are sure to inspire little ones to dream big and learn eagerly. Who knows? Maybe they’ll find their favorite fairy dancing between the pages, ready to lead them on an adventure of a lifetime!

I believe in fairies,
Samuel DenHartog

The magic of storytelling transcends mediums, and that’s exactly what inspired the creation of "The Skeleton Dance". Based on the groundbreaking 1929 short film of the same name by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, this book takes the whimsical, spooky charm of the first Silly Symphony and transforms it into a vivid narrative filled with rhyming verse and captivating imagery. The film’s public domain status opened the door to reimagine its playful skeletons and moonlit scenes for a whole new audience.

Readers will find themselves drawn into a graveyard alive with unexpected antics. As the clock strikes twelve, an owl’s hoot echoes through the still night, bats scatter from the belfry, and the stage is set for a dance of mischief and delight. From quarrelsome cats to skeletons playing their bones like musical instruments, each page offers a lively tableau that captures the essence of the original animation while adding layers of storytelling.

The illustrations, taken from the original film’s iconic scenes, bring the graveyard to life in ways both spooky and fun. Every moment is a nod to the playful choreography and innovative spirit that made “The Skeleton Dance” a classic. The book’s rhyming verses invite readers to immerse themselves in the moonlit adventure, blending humor and suspense in equal measure.

This reimagining is not just a tribute to Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks' creativity but also an invitation to rediscover the wonder of animation's golden age in a new format. Whether you’re revisiting a nostalgic favorite or encountering the tale for the first time, this book offers a timeless journey into a world where skeletons frolic, owls hoot, and the moon watches it all unfold.

When I set out to create this collection, I wanted each letter of the alphabet to come alive with its own spirit and story. The result is a playful parade of animal characters, each matched to their letter not only by name, but by the words and world around them. From the determined stomp of a Daring Dolphin to the slow sway of a Sleepy Sloth, every page invites young readers to explore language through rhythm, rhyme, and imagination.

Some animals build, some bounce, some whisper. Each poem introduces a new personality, using simple vocabulary that is fun to read aloud and easy for children to remember. There is a quiet joy in discovering how letters can sound, feel, and move when paired with a creature who fits them perfectly. The pages are filled with acrobatic alliteration, but the real magic comes from watching kids laugh or lean in as they meet each new character.

"Alphabet Animals" is a collection of short adventures, each told in six four-line stanzas that carry rhythm, warmth, and a sense of discovery. Whether it is the Kindhearted Kangaroo tying bows or the Rowdy Raccoon rattling cans, every poem turns a letter into a moment worth remembering.

This book was made to be read aloud, whether at bedtime, in the classroom, or during any quiet minute when curiosity strikes. It was written with early readers in mind, but it belongs to anyone who enjoys a story told in rhyme and animal characters who stay with you long after the page is turned.

There is something magical about watching children light up when a story meets their imagination right where it lives. This book was created to celebrate that moment. Inside its pages, twenty-six heroes leap, spin, fly, stomp, and giggle their way across colorful spreads, each powered by a different letter of the alphabet. The goal was simple: create a collection of rhyming tales that are fun to read aloud, easy to follow, and filled with joyful surprises that kids want to visit again and again.

The characters each bring their own charm. Astro Angel zooms through the stars, painting comets with cosmic brushes. Turbo Tornado gallops across prairies, spinning storms back into skies with the help of nature. Mega Mouse, pint-sized and powerful, whirls through her underground lair fixing burrows and blocking bullies. Whether it is Boomer Blaze catching popcorn meteors or Quantum Queen solving math puzzles with cubes of light, each story is a mini-adventure with rhythm, rhyme, and personality to spare.

What makes this collection different is how it avoids the usual bedtime routine trap. Not every hero ends with a nap. Some are mid-flight, mid-battle, mid-bounce. Some do not face villains at all. Instead, they spend their time helping, laughing, building, or even singing to calm nervous marmots. The book does not try to teach the alphabet by force. It simply lets each letter shine through a fun, action-packed character whose story happens to start with the same one.

"Alphabet Superheroes" was made to feel like a celebration. Not just of letters, but of what makes every child feel big and bold and full of ideas. It is a book to be read curled up on the couch or acted out in costume across the living room. If it sparks one silly voice or one proud reading moment, then the heroes inside have done their job. And something tells me they are just getting started.

For generations, the Psalms have offered comfort, strength, and inspiration to people walking through every kind of season. Their language is rich and evocative, their themes timeless. But for many, especially in our fast-paced world, the style can feel distant or hard to absorb. That’s what sparked the idea to reshape these ancient songs into gentle, rhyming verse that invites the reader in and unfolds naturally, like a familiar melody.

In creating this collection, I wanted to preserve the beauty and depth of the original text while offering a fresh voice that flows easily off the tongue. Whether read aloud in a quiet moment or tucked into daily reading routines, each poem seeks to reflect the heart of a Psalm in a way that feels accessible and deeply personal. The language is poetic but not lofty, meant to stir the spirit without straining the ear.

Some poems follow the familiar rhythms of paired rhymes, others use alternating lines to create a gentle sway, like waves or walking pace. That variety grew out of the Psalms themselves, which are emotional and varied, sometimes overflowing with praise, other times aching with lament. Matching the tone of each passage with the right poetic structure became part of the joy and challenge of writing.

If you love the Psalms but have longed for a new way to engage with them, or if you're simply drawn to meaningful poetry rooted in faith and experience, I hope this book finds a place on your shelf and in your heart. When reimagined in verse, there is something ancient yet immediate about these songs, and I’m grateful to share that experience with you in "Psalms in Rhyme."