MOWMT 18: Surprising Rhyme with Laura Lavoie

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If you’ve read any blog posts I’ve written for Storystorm or Picture Book Builders, you probably know that I tend to brainstorm the titles of my picture books before I draft. When I came up with the title Duck, Duck, Taco Truck, I knew that I had to write it—and that it had to be written in rhyme. The title simply begs for it. 

My previously published picture books, as well as many unpublished manuscripts I’ve written over the years, were all written in prose. So I started studying: reading mentor texts, learning everything I could about rhythm and meter, and consulting with a rhyming-whiz critique partner.

Through sheer luck, I won a critique with Frances Gilbert at Doubleday Books for Young Readers. My agent and I agreed that I should send her Duck, Duck, Taco Truck and—hooray!—Frances loved it. She let us know that she wanted to bring the manuscript to an acquisitions meeting, but first she asked if I could make the rhyme a little less cookie-cutter. “Think Hamilton,” she said. I took that to mean she wanted the rhyme to be less predictable and more surprising. If you’re looking to do the same, here are some picture books that do it quite well.

On Account of the Gum, written and illustrated by Adam Rex

This is the hilarious tale of a kid who gets gum—and a bunch of other stuff—stuck in their hair. 

Every time I read this story, I remember how much I love it and how absolutely brilliant it is. Rex gets readers accustomed to fun verse, and just when the reader gets comfortable, he adds an interjection that disrupts it.

For example:

You take two sticks of butter

and smear them along, and…

I see. It appears that those

websites were wrong.

Don’t give me that look. 

Not only is this effective in keeping the book surprising, it also adds a ton of laugh-out-loud humor! 

Poo-Dunit? A Forest Floor Mystery, written by Katelyn Aronson with art by Stephanie Laberis 

This is a fun rhyming story about a mouse who finds a pile of poo outside her house and sets out to solve the mystery: poo-dunit? I love this story because in addition to the intriguing mystery element, it also teaches kids how to identify animal scat in a super fun way. 

Every time Mouse finds a new suspect, the animal in question will respond (in rhyme!) stating why it’s not their poo. Then they’ll direct Mouse to another animal in prose: “Ask Skunk!” Mouse, in turn, responds with what becomes a familiar refrain: “Oh, Skuuuuunk…”

I love how Katelyn Aronson varies the meter at different points in the story with clear intentionality. This book has so many layers, and that’s what makes it a stellar example of surprising rhyme. 

Plenty of Pancakes, written by Carrie Finison and illustrated by Brianne Farley

This is a sequel to Dozens of Doughnuts, which was previously discussed in one of last year’s MOWMT posts about rhyming texts.  

This time, Topsy the opossum is making pancakes for her almost-done-hibernating pal, LouAnn. Like in the first book, the verse is interrupted by fun onomatopoeia, such as Clunk! and Thunk!, followed by, Munch, munch, munch. Not only do kids have a chance to chime in on the refrain, but it breaks up the rhyme in surprising way. 

Craving more? I have two rhyming picture books coming out this year, both available for preorder now. 

In Breathe, Bunny, Breathe, I mostly stick to bouncy rhyme:

On a sunny summer day, he’s lounging at the pool,

sipping lemonade in shades while staying nice and cool.

However, at several points during the story readers are invited to pause and breathe with Bunny through a slow, meditative refrain. 

In… and out… 

Breathe, Bunny, breathe. 

In Duck the Halls, I largely follow the same rhyme scheme readers know from Duck, Duck, aco Truck:

Duck. Duck. Pickup truck. 

Sliding through the snow and muck. 

But in the middle, I wanted to break it down with several lines that almost feel like a rap:

Heave ho! Here we go!

Ribboned wreaths and mistletoe.

Ducks make sculptures out of snow.

Someone’s mixing cookie dough. 

Frosty flurries start to blow…

This quickly became my favorite part of the story!

I hope these examples are helpful and inspiring, whether you’re a seasoned or aspiring rhymer. March on! 

Prize: Laura is giving away a signed copy of one of her books—reader’s choice!

Bio: Laura Lavoie writes books for kids of all ages. Some of her books are silly, some are spooky, and many are a little bit of both. Her picture books include Vampire Vacation, Monster Baker, and Cousins!: A Big Family Story, while her middle grade novels are The Thirteen Doors of Black House and the forthcoming Beware the Jacks (July 2026). When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, cooking and baking, and spending time outside, specifically kayaking in local rivers and hiking in the Adirondacks. She resides in northern New York with her husband and daughters.

Website/socials: Learn more about Laura by visiting lauralavoieauthor.com or following her on Instagram: @llavoieauthor

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