I Got the Rhythm

PreS-Gr 1—A young girl discovers a world of exuberant rhythm in her neighborhood, from the drummer in the park to playground clapping games to the subtle beat of butterfly wings. The straightforward narrative captures the engaging ways the narrator finds her own rhythm exploring the world around her. She "[hears] a rhythm with [her] ears," "[looks] at the rhythm with [her] eyes," "[catches] the rhythm with [her] hands," and much more. Ready made for storytime, Schofield-Morrison's text pulses with a beat of its own and practically demands audiences to clap along. Each double-page spread offers interactive elements that work for a range of ages, from vocabulary presenting each way the narrator catches the rhythm (hands, knees, feet, and more) to the fun readers can have joining in and keeping the rhythm with their own fingers, singing it with their own mouth, or tapping it with their own toes. Morrison's oil-on-canvas illustrations take their lead from the energetic text but form the core of the story with expansive spreads crackling with movement. A rich, color palette helps the action jump off the page, with a bright blue sky as the backdrop for the yellows and golds and greens of the setting complementing an array of pinks, especially the narrator's bright pink dress. The urban setting and varied cast of characters make this title particularly valuable, showcasing diversity as an integral part of everyday life.—Ted McCoy, Springfield City Library, MA