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Rufus and Friends: Rhyme Time
Rufus and his canine friends act out fourteen tongue-twisting nursery rhymes. Best-selling author/illustrator Iza Trapani has extended each poem, playing with the sounds and rhythms that make language fun for readers.
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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March 1, 2017Book title and author/illustrator:
Rufus and Friends Rhyme Time by Iza Trapani
Professional review #1:
Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature )
Presented in the format of a theatrical performance, the actors are introduced on the endpapers and the table of contents resembles the acts of a play. Each scene begins with a traditional nursery rhyme. Then the rhyme is expanded through the addition of one or more original verses. The appeal of these additional lines varies from one piece to the next with some being more effective than others. Betty Botter adding better butter to her batter creates a big buttery mess. When Doctor Foster went to Gloucester and stepped in the puddle, he arrived home with the flu. Peter Piper not only picked a peck of pickled peppers, he became quite puckered when he ate them for lunch. The dog characters dressed in appropriate costumes for each of the pieces are charming and personable, making the illustrations the major asset of the book. Could possibly be used effectively as a springboard for creative writing activities based on nursery rhymes. 2008, Charlesbridge, $16.95. Ages 6 to 8. (PUBLISHER: Charlesbridge (Watertown MA:), PUBLISHED: c2008.)
Professional review #2:
Arlene Stephenson (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 21, No. 4) )
This is an absolutely precious book of tongue twisters, familiar nursery rhymes, and hidden pictures--sure to keep young readers returning again and again to the colorful pages. Trapani presents the whole book as a play put on by a collection of dogs. The delightful dogs become the Mother Goose characters reciting old familiar tongue twisters; then suddenly a whole new world of twisty words is added to the rhyme, often with a surprise ending. Just when the students think they have mastered the tongue twisters, they are encouraged to find the hidden objects in the colorful watercolor-and-ink illustrations. And that means several more trips through the pages of this adorable book! Love it--gotta find some grandbabies! Nonfiction, Highly Recommended. Grades K-2. 2008, Charlesbridge, 33p., $16.95. Ages 5 to 8. (PUBLISHER: Charlesbridge ;Publishers Group UK [distributor] (Watertown Mass.:) (Enfield:), PUBLISHED: 2008.)
A brief book summary:
This book goes through fourteen different rhymes throughout the book, not including the introductory rhyme that explains what the book is. All of the rhymes captivate the audience and are enhanced through the paired illustrations that are constantly strong throughout.
Personal response to professional recommendations:
I agree with both of the professional recommendations. I thought that this book was a really great way to give many examples of rhymes and lounge-twisters. On every page, there is a different act being put on by the main characters that keeps the reader interested while still giving many different examples of rhymes and plots.
Thoughtful consideration of literary merit and picture book analysis using course vocabulary:
This book is extremely effective at showing the reader many examples of rhymes and alliterations and keeps them interested with the different scenarios being acted out by the main characters.
Description of possible instructional application:
This rhyming book is a great tool to use in the classroom from kindergarten to 3rd grade. I believe that this book can be read to a larger group, such as a whole classroom or can be taught individually and still be able to have the children understand it’s purpose.
Rufus and Friends Rhyme Time by Iza Trapani
Professional review #1:
Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature )
Presented in the format of a theatrical performance, the actors are introduced on the endpapers and the table of contents resembles the acts of a play. Each scene begins with a traditional nursery rhyme. Then the rhyme is expanded through the addition of one or more original verses. The appeal of these additional lines varies from one piece to the next with some being more effective than others. Betty Botter adding better butter to her batter creates a big buttery mess. When Doctor Foster went to Gloucester and stepped in the puddle, he arrived home with the flu. Peter Piper not only picked a peck of pickled peppers, he became quite puckered when he ate them for lunch. The dog characters dressed in appropriate costumes for each of the pieces are charming and personable, making the illustrations the major asset of the book. Could possibly be used effectively as a springboard for creative writing activities based on nursery rhymes. 2008, Charlesbridge, $16.95. Ages 6 to 8. (PUBLISHER: Charlesbridge (Watertown MA:), PUBLISHED: c2008.)
Professional review #2:
Arlene Stephenson (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 21, No. 4) )
This is an absolutely precious book of tongue twisters, familiar nursery rhymes, and hidden pictures--sure to keep young readers returning again and again to the colorful pages. Trapani presents the whole book as a play put on by a collection of dogs. The delightful dogs become the Mother Goose characters reciting old familiar tongue twisters; then suddenly a whole new world of twisty words is added to the rhyme, often with a surprise ending. Just when the students think they have mastered the tongue twisters, they are encouraged to find the hidden objects in the colorful watercolor-and-ink illustrations. And that means several more trips through the pages of this adorable book! Love it--gotta find some grandbabies! Nonfiction, Highly Recommended. Grades K-2. 2008, Charlesbridge, 33p., $16.95. Ages 5 to 8. (PUBLISHER: Charlesbridge ;Publishers Group UK [distributor] (Watertown Mass.:) (Enfield:), PUBLISHED: 2008.)
A brief book summary:
This book goes through fourteen different rhymes throughout the book, not including the introductory rhyme that explains what the book is. All of the rhymes captivate the audience and are enhanced through the paired illustrations that are constantly strong throughout.
Personal response to professional recommendations:
I agree with both of the professional recommendations. I thought that this book was a really great way to give many examples of rhymes and lounge-twisters. On every page, there is a different act being put on by the main characters that keeps the reader interested while still giving many different examples of rhymes and plots.
Thoughtful consideration of literary merit and picture book analysis using course vocabulary:
This book is extremely effective at showing the reader many examples of rhymes and alliterations and keeps them interested with the different scenarios being acted out by the main characters.
Description of possible instructional application:
This rhyming book is a great tool to use in the classroom from kindergarten to 3rd grade. I believe that this book can be read to a larger group, such as a whole classroom or can be taught individually and still be able to have the children understand it’s purpose.
September 4, 2019
My favorite part of this book is all the rhythms. I would use this book to teach students about rhymes.
March 14, 2025
Harder to read than Fox in Socks! Cute book 🙂
September 29, 2012
Genre: Poetry
Review:Children's Literature
Presented in the format of a theatrical performance, the actors are introduced on the endpapers and the table of contents resembles the acts of a play. Each scene begins with a traditional nursery rhyme. Then the rhyme is expanded through the addition of one or more original verses. The appeal of these additional lines varies from one piece to the next with some being more effective than others. Betty Botter adding better butter to her batter creates a big buttery mess. When Doctor Foster went to Gloucester and stepped in the puddle, he arrived home with the flu. Peter Piper not only picked a peck of pickled peppers, he became quite puckered when he ate them for lunch. The dog characters dressed in appropriate costumes for each of the pieces are charming and personable, making the illustrations the major asset of the book. Could possibly be used effectively as a springboard for creative writing activities based on nursery rhymes. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.
Recommendation: 4-8 years
Notes:Mini poems and rhymes
Review:Children's Literature
Presented in the format of a theatrical performance, the actors are introduced on the endpapers and the table of contents resembles the acts of a play. Each scene begins with a traditional nursery rhyme. Then the rhyme is expanded through the addition of one or more original verses. The appeal of these additional lines varies from one piece to the next with some being more effective than others. Betty Botter adding better butter to her batter creates a big buttery mess. When Doctor Foster went to Gloucester and stepped in the puddle, he arrived home with the flu. Peter Piper not only picked a peck of pickled peppers, he became quite puckered when he ate them for lunch. The dog characters dressed in appropriate costumes for each of the pieces are charming and personable, making the illustrations the major asset of the book. Could possibly be used effectively as a springboard for creative writing activities based on nursery rhymes. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.
Recommendation: 4-8 years
Notes:Mini poems and rhymes
March 31, 2010
The old familiar tongue-twisters are fun. They're included in a "theatrical performance" by a troupe of dogs (my little one loved pointing out the dogs in the illustrations). What gives this book extra staying power is the hidden images on each page. I imagine that'll make it a repeat favorite for a certain age of kiddo.
September 26, 2013
Laid out as a play put on by five dogs, this book includes some traditional tongue twisting poems with additional words by the author. Cute watercolor, ink, and colored pencil cartoon-like illustrations add to the fun of the poems.
June 28, 2010
Nursery rhymes plus some added verses. Tongue twisters too, so probably not the best if you're tred and trying to read!
July 6, 2016
The illustrations were cute, the hidden objects part was alright. This was an okay book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews