Why are illustrated children's books so repetitive? I hate it.

[lljkk]

I only read the story as written the first time thru. After that I always paraphrase or cut out whole chunks of text because it just keeps repeating the same phrases over and over and over...

It drives me crazy. I don't know if any kids like so much of the same and same and same phrases, but I can't stand it. What benefit is massive repetition supposed to have?

[moondog]

It is how the learn.
The repetition and the rhyme and the rhythm.

[lljkk]

How they learn what? Anything that DS-5yo would be in need of learning?

Often you can achieve the rhythm without saying the entire phrase endless times.

[mablemurple]

you hate it?? The book isn't written for you, it's for children - if your ds hates it, don't read it, otherwise you'll just have to and bear it!

[BoneYard]

Do not mention the word 'Bear' on a repetitive children book thread..... Bear Hunt is the one book i actually truly loathe.

[nickelbabe]

unfortunately, lljkk, it's true that children love that kind of repeition: they learn the phrase and then they join in when it comes up next.
it fires their imagination and makes them feel like they're part of the story (and the story-telling).

it excited them into loving books and, essentially, into learning to read.

sorry

[lljkk]

Bear Hunt, Gruffalo, most of them, really, all tedious beyond compare.

Oh well, DC will just have to continue in repitition deprivation. I'll end up slitting my wrists if I make myself do it regularly.

[jennifersofia]

This is one of the things that helps children to learn the language. Think about nursery rhymes/songs that have been around for years and years - children need (and usually enjoy) that rhythm and repetition.

[mablemurple]

Are you scared, BoneYard ?

[Lapsedrunner]

I love reading the gruffalo etc

[nickelbabe]

i wonder if it's the way you tell them?

if you do a dramatic pause before the bit that repeats so that everyone can join in, you might fidn it a bit more exciting.

[IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern]

Lapsed so do I
Love the gruffalo and bear hunt etc.

DC's love them even dd who is 6 and can read them still loves it when I read them and her and ds screech out the repetative bits.

[cory]

A lot of poetry is the same isn't it? And pop songs, ballads, all sorts of lyrics. It's all in the performance. I think the Gruffalo is great for reading aloud; it really lends itself to amateur dramatics, what with the different voices and the slightly different way you stress things as the story develops.

[brightongirldownunder]

Blimey Lijkk, its lucky not every parent thinks like you or I'd be out of a job!
Every text I illustrate has an element of repetition in it, but it doesn't stop me from enjoying my job - and hopefully entertaining the reader at the same time.
When you read the Gruffalo look at Axel Schefflers artwork - each page is a story in itself. There are so many levels to a picture book.
DD is 2.6 and loves being able to join in when I read her a book - and this is where the repetitive text comes in handy.

If you're finding it monotonous, there are plenty of picture books out there that don't follow that pattern.

[lljkk]

Nursery rhymes aren't repetitive.
The most repetative Nursery rhyme I can think of is Grand Ol' Duke of York, and that's not a patch on the average book we find in library.
Not repetitive like Gruffalo (etc.).
Dr. Seuss isn't as repetitive as Gruffalo (etc.)
Saying a rhyme 6x in a row is repetitive, but I never say it so many times in a row. 2...3?

I do find Wheels on the Bus pretty dire to sing, though...

[colditz]

you are seeing it through adult eyes. Children like repetition.

Hence the popularity f books like Gruffalo, Dr Seuss (Green eggs and ham), and the Mr Men books

[edam]

Dr Seuss is repetitive (and anarchic and imaginative and all those other things kids love).

Agree with everyone who has said repetition is very important for small children. And for poetry and songwriting and speechwriting for adults, too (the old rule of three, for instance).

With a 5yo though, you should be moving on to books that are a bit more varied?

[StealthPolarBear]

i can't stand bear hunt
and little red hen
but love dr seuss

[edam]

'I do not like green eggs and ham' - lots of repetition in that book. And the others. Maybe you just don't notice it as much?

[squeaver]

Funny, I don't have this problem when reading Tolstoy to dd. Or Proust.

[Merrylegs]

I don't mind repetition if it serves a purpose. For eg, the Gruffalo is OK because the mouse is giving information to the woodland creatures about what a Gruffalo looks like. And the description of the Gruffalo is fun and lively.

But my absolute bug bear is unnecessary and 'twee' narrative. Martin Waddell take a bow for your ridiculous line in Can't You Sleep Little Bear - 'Big Bear is the Big Bear and Little Bear is the Little Bear'.

I mean WTF??? It's trying to be childlike and simple and cute but it's just rubbish really, isn't it, Martin? I can't believe your editor let you get away with that, actually.

And you must absolutely not never ever never get me started on Lauren "I-sneezed-random-typography-all-over-the-page-in-a-well-wacky-way-and-sod-yer-eyesight-it-is-very-m ost-absolutely-art" Child.

[StealthPolarBear]

for some reason dr seuss repetition doesnt bother me

[ledodgyfireworksingedmyeyebrow]

I like repetition and rhyme it's much nicer to read aloud. The ones I hate are the badly written boring story ones like Postman Pat.

[ledodgyfireworksingedmyeyebrow]

I do like to read as though I am a sroyeller on Jackanory though, that's what gets me through. ATM I am loving over dramatising Stickman.

[ledodgyfireworksingedmyeyebrow]

*story teller

[BoneYard]

....not since i burned it mablemurple .