Favorite Picture Book Refrains
Like a great sing-a-long, there’s nothing like joining in enthusiastically to your favorite stories. And it helps if they have a catchy refrain! For readers young and old, there’s something special about knowing what’s coming in the text, and being able to be a part of the story. Sometimes these refrains even help illustrate an important message and stay with you forever. We all remember the classic, The Little Engine That Could. How many times have you thought to yourself, “I think I can, I think I can…” as a little boost of confidence? For more classic refrains that will stick with you long after the last page, check out this list!
Who can amaze with their remarkable ways?
The pelican can!
The pelican can!
When a young pelican wakes up hungry, pelican parents know just what to do! Take a trip to the seaside and cheer for a marvelous bird who can fly, soar, dive, and more! Luminous graphic art paired with infectious rhythmic text makes for a winning invitation to join in a soaring journey to observe and celebrate the way that pelicans feed their young.
The pelican does what a pelican can do.
Now, how about you?
Whether you are learning to skate, baking a cake, or even making a mistake, this hilarious and heartfelt rhyming book reminds us that trying our best is reason to celebrate. From children trying to master new skills to adults who had a hard week at work, we all get overwhelmed sometimes and need reassurance. And who better to offer it than a chicken exclaiming: “WOO HOO! YOU’RE DOING GREAT!”
Once upon a time, there was a boy who loved stories—scary ones about skeletons and witches, giants and ghosts, vampires, dragons, mummies and goblins. But he wondered…do monsters have anyone to read to them? Armed with only a book and a flashlight (and with his bemused mother in tow), he travels through the night, calling together every monster he can think of to make sure they get the bedtime story they need.
(Don’t forget to find the little orange monster hidden on almost every page!)
A very excited bunny is so thrilled that YOU’RE FINALLY HERE! While there isn’t necessarily a refrain throughout the book, the enthusiasm sure is! And little ones will catch on very quickly that YOU’RE FINALLY HERE! But…wait…where WERE you before?
Quiet at last. Not a peep. Three little robots are… BEEP! BEEP!
When his three rambunctious robots give every possible excuse not to go to sleep, what’s a little boy to do? With a fun refrain that will have readers of all ages chanting along, here’s a book that kids will be begging to read every night before bed.
Poor Bear isn’t really a horrible bear, but when he accidentally breaks a little girl’s kite, that’s exactly what she calls him. Kids will join in the chorus while also learning about what happens when we lose our tempers, and how important it is to say, “I’m sorry.”
Bear didn’t mean to break a little girl’s kite, but she’s upset anyway—upset enough to shout “HORRIBLE BEAR!” Bear can’t believe it. He’s not horrible! But now he’s upset, too–upset enough to come up with a truly Horrible Bear idea. In this charming but goofy picture book, readers will learn all about tempers, forgiveness, and friendship as Bear prepares to live up to his formerly undeserved reputation while the little girl realizes that maybe–just maybe–Bear isn’t as horrible as she thought. 
Not so much a refrain, but a recurring theme that will have kids screaming—with delight! As all the characteristics of the BIG GREEN MONSTER are revealed, the reader then gets to scare away the monster (who isn’t all that scary!) one by one. Plus, there’s fun cutouts the reveal each part of the monster along the way! It’s the perfect way to chase away bedtime fears.
Lucy is very determined to make a new friend. It’s a little tricker than she expects though! In a story that teaches important themes of persistence and acceptance, kids will have so much fun joining in on Lucy’s enthusiastic search for a new friend.
Today is the day the exuberant Lucy is going to make a new friend! But she finds it’s harder than she had thought–she accidentally ruins the giraffe’s breakfast and is much too big for the frogs’ pond. Just when she’s about to give up, an unexpected friend finds her, and loves her just the way she is. 
Reuben the bear’s got donuts for everyone in his scout troop, but his friends are all staring at something else: there’s a wet spot on Reuben’s pants, and it’s in a specific area. “WHO WET MY PANTS?” he shouts, and a blame game starts. His buddies try to reassure him there was no crime. Just an accident. It could happen to anyone! But as all the clues begin to point in Reuben’s own direction as the culprit, Reuben must come to terms with the truth.
