Review: Rhymoceros

Rhymoceros features a cute blue rhino who demonstrates rhyming words. The words come in pairs which don’t often have any connection to each other, but are fun none the less. You’ll find things like shower and flower, stinky and inky, and alone and on the phone.

It introduces more complex concepts rather than simple ones, but that’s one reason this book is different to others - it stretches the minds of young readers. There are sixteen rhyming pairs altogether, and little details to look for, from the simplicity of the grumpy rhino’s frowning eyebrows, to the tiny dog who appears several times.

Although for the most part the rhino is blue, it does change for some words. There’s a gold foil rhino and brown rhino, for example. Textures are included to add to the experience - the brown rhino is furry and soft to touch, as is the flocked, green rhino, while the spotty rhino is white and bumpy.

The repeated, recognisable rhino shape and good use of white space throughout Rhymoceros round out what is an excellent book to share with young children.

Title: Rhymoceros
Author/Illustrator: Janik Coat
Publisher: Abrams, $17.99 RRP
Publication Date: March 2015
Format: Board book
ISBN: 9781419715143
For ages: 2 - 4
Type: Picture book