Riley Child-Rhymes
What’s inside...
First produced in 1895, this charming book includes many of James Whitcomb Riley's signature stories like 'Out to Old Aunt Mary's' and 'Little Orphant Annie,' complemented by Vawter's illustrations of children enjoying long summer afternoons. James Whitcomb Riley, known as the 'Hoosier Poet' and 'Children's Poet,' was a popular American writer and poet. His career, which began with writing verses for signs and submitting poetry to newspapers, flourished thanks to an endorsement from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Riley's poetry, often humorous or sentimental, gained national attention through his tours. Despite struggling with alcoholism and never marrying, Riley's popularity grew, allowing him to become very wealthy. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps, and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Discussion points
How did the rhymes in the book make you feel? Can you think of a time when you felt similar to any of the characters?
Which rhyme was your favorite and why? What did you like about the words or the rhythm?
Can you imagine a new ending for one of the rhymes? What would happen next?
What lessons do you think the rhymes are trying to teach us? How can you apply these lessons in your life?
If you could be friends with any character from the rhymes, who would it be and what would you do together?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a lively and animated tone when discussing the rhymes, matching the energy of the book to keep your child engaged.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. This can help deepen their connection to the story and enhance their understanding.
Relate the themes or lessons from the rhymes to real-life situations your child might encounter, making the content more relevant and practical.
Encourage creativity by asking your child to come up with their own rhymes, fostering a deeper appreciation for the book's format and style.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Sharing
Explanation: The story highlights characters who learn the joy of sharing their toys and snacks with friends, demonstrating positive outcomes from these actions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by sharing their belongings with siblings or classmates, fostering a cooperative and friendly environment.
Example Lesson: Value of Honesty
Explanation: Characters in the book face situations where they must choose to tell the truth, even when it is difficult, and learn the benefits of being honest.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice honesty in their daily interactions, building trust with peers and adults.
Example Lesson: Respecting Differences
Explanation: The book portrays a diverse group of characters, each with unique traits. Through their interactions, the characters learn to respect and celebrate their differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate diversity and act respectfully towards others regardless of differences in appearance, abilities or background.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The narrative presents scenarios where characters must find creative solutions to challenges they face, promoting critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Children can use similar problem-solving skills when facing conflicts or challenges at school or home.
Example Lesson: Kindness
Explanation: Throughout the book, acts of kindness are shown to have positive effects on the characters and their relationships, emphasizing the importance of being kind.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to perform acts of kindness in their community, enhancing social bonds and personal happiness.