Ricky, the Rock that Just Couldn't Rhyme - Mr. Jay - ★★★★.½

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AUTHOR: Mr. Jay

ILLUSTRATOR: Erin Wozniak.
GENRE: Children's Picture Book.
RATING: 4.5 stars

In a Nutshell: A funny little story about a rock who wants to rhyme, but can’t… or can he???


Ricky the rock is quite excited about being in school as he loves most subjects. But when his next subject teacher mentions that every little rock should know how to rhyme, Ricky begins to worry. He can’t rhyme, you see? His friend Tess the tin tries to help him in class as well as after school, but Ricky just can’t figure out how rhymes work. And then comes a big realisation: he has been rhyming all along!

The book is a funny combination of adorable and absurd.

I found it hilarious that a book about someone who can’t rhyme has been written in rhythmic prose. But the ending reveals how and why the book is in rhyme. (You can also get a clue for this on the first page, where the author credits are mentioned.)

The rhyming sentences are a bit too long, though they do rhyme perfectly and match in meter, which I enjoy. I hate it when rhymes aren’t in sync. Most of the words are quite easy, but there are a few tricky ones such as ‘caboose’ and ‘uptight’.

The illustrations are really sweet, with all the rocks and their non-rock companions looking cool as they roll around school. (One of the rocks even has hair, LOL!) Of course it is weird to see rocks at school, looking at other animals and interacting in a world without humans, but a children’s story is allowed to be silly, right?

At the same time, Tess, who is a ball of tin foil, is the odd one out in a school of rocks. Maybe this was just a way of showing inclusivity? Not sure. She was really cute though.

The author has added himself as an Easter egg in the rhymes. (I didn’t get this reference at first. But it was quite a funny reference once I realised it.)

This would be an interesting and entertaining book for little ones who are just beginning to rhyme. But even beyond rhyming lessons, the book teaches kids not to give up without trying. They’ll never know what talents lie within them unless they are willing to take a peek at their abilities and allow themselves a chance at attempting something new.

Definitely recommend this amazing nonsensical plus educational book. It will suit readers aged 4-8 years. It will be a good addition to classroom libraries as well.

My thanks to New Paige Press and Edelweiss+ for the DRC of “Ricky, the Rock that Just Couldn't Rhyme”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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