Category Archives: Rhymes For Kids

Tony Funderburk’s rhymes and reasons to help you understand the power of God’s love. For kids from 1 to 101.

Don’t Be A Lame Brain

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

If you’ve ever watched any of those old Three Stooges movies, you’ve probably heard Moe call Larry and Curly “lame brain” more than once. Of course, that was the pot calling the kettle black. Moe was every bit as much a lame brain as the others. He just got to be the leader of the pack.

When I was a kid, most moms were homemakers. And they’d make breakfast for the kids before sending them off to school. I won’t say we always had perfect meals, but 9 times out of 10 we had something more than a dried up cereal, full of sugar, out of a box. I remember bacon, eggs, toast, cantaloupe, oranges, bananas, oatmeal with pecans, and lots more good stuff like that.

Those kinds of food give your brain a head start for the day. And they help build powerful brains for your whole lifetime. With a powerful brain that’s wide awake, you can read faster, understand more, and learn how to make the most of the gifts and talents God gave you.

That’s why today’s Rhyme Time is about the difference between being a lame brain or a brainy brain. Now, get out of your chair, go have some fruit or a smoothie, and give your brain a good workout.

~ Rhyme Time for Today ~

A lame brain can’t drive a train.
A lame brain can’t fly a plane.
A lame brain can’t add or spell.
A lame brain don’t talk so well.

A brainy brain reads poems and books.
A brainy brain takes second looks.
A brainy brain eats greens and fruit.
A brainy brain has pep to boot.

So, a lame brain or brainy brain…
Which one will your head contain?
From breakfast and all through the day…
Go for brainy…all the way.

Stay tuned,

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Reading Is So Delicious

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I heard this expression today: “reading is so delicious“. And being a lover of words and the word pictures they can stir up…well I just had to bake some of my thoughts about it. It’s only natural…and delicious.  🙂

When you think about what reading can do for you, it makes sense to say it’s delicious. At least when you’re using it as a metaphor. After all, I don’t think you would find the average book to be all that tasty. At least no books I’ve ever run across were. Most of the books I’ve ever read smelled like a library. And I wouldn’t want to bite into one of those.

Still, reading is SO delicious.

But just imagine what might go on inside your brain…even as you’re reading this. I can write the word “cantaloupe” and your mind might conjure up an image of a juicy, deep orange slice of melon. Or I can write the word “chocolate” and your mind probably conjures up a deep, dark cake…or your favorite candy bar…or even a steaming cup of hot chocolate on a blustery winter day.

Yum…I’m getting hungry just writing about it. See…reading IS so delicious.

Start with nature’s natural nouns…
And stir with vigorous verbs…
Then add a dash of adjectives…
They’ll be poetic herbs…
Some adverbs might go nicely…
A dash might be nutritious…
Now, let this story simmer…
See, reading is delicious.

Before you go, jump on the The TRUTH. And join the growing band of believers who enjoy my books, daily rhymes, songs, and videos about the Rhyme and Reason and power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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Things To Do With Kids In Denver

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There are lots of things to do with kids in Denver. And I’ll bet even a lot of parents in Denver don’t realize how many fun things there are right here in their home town. So, imagine how kids in other states might feel if they think they’re gonna have to leave the really fun things they love to go hang out “in the mountains”.

Children's writer, Tony Funderburk, recommends a lot of fun things to do with kids in Denver.

I can just hear the moans and groans. For example…kids in Texas might like their huge lakes and Six Flags theme park or visits to the Alamo. Or kids in California might think they’re getting gypped out of time at the beach with all their friends. Or kids in New York city might think they’re gonna get eaten alive by bears or mountain lions.

Of course, since I’m a Colorado native, I’m biased. I believe we have the best place to vacation. And even though my favorite places to go in the summer are in the mountains, I know for a fact there are a ton of fun…really fun things to do with kids in Denver. Yep, right in the city.

But instead of giving you some dry bullet list of things to do with kids in Denver, I’m gonna give you an example of kids whining about why they don’t want to come here on vacation. And I’m gonna make it my Rhyme Time for Today. You’ll notice links in the verses. They’ll take you to where the fun is.

Don’t Wanna Go To Denver

Dad, we don’t wanna go to Denver.
We don’t wanna have to climb a mile high.
They don’t have a zoo, and there’s nothing fun to do.
Mom, why we gotta go there? Why?
We’d rather see Egyptian mummies
Or galaxies and stars in space.
We don’t wanna go where it’s covered up in snow.
Please don’t make us go to that place.
Do we really have to go to Denver?
Can’t we go to the theme park instead?
You prob’ly didn’t know there’s a new magic show.
Where a guy makes his hair turn red.
Oh no…we’re gonna go to Denver…
No water park or ocean waves.
We have to go and do what parents want us to.
We’re gonna be vacation slaves.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

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Rhyme Machine

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I saw the phrase “rhyme machine” and being a children’s writer I figured I’d run with it. Suddenly I saw kids jumping into a high-tech solar-powered rocket ship. They simply touched colorful pictures on a screen to zoom to imagination destinations.

Children's writer - singer songwriter - illustrator, Tony Funderburk, says when you ride the rhyme machine, you can really go places.

And I could see the rhyme machine gliding effortlessly through the air without making a sound. Each stop was a blast. Every kid would dive in without a care in the world. Everything was safe and sound. Everyone was simply enjoying the trip. No fuss. No muss.

I know it’s make-believe. But hey…that’s what I deal in. That’s what I dish out. That’s what I do. So make your way to the imagination station and hop on the…

Rhyme Machine        (Rhyme Time For Today)

Hop into my rhyme machine,
I’ll show you things you’ve never seen…
Where blues skies might turn into green…
Where you might be the king or queen…
Where everything is nice and clean…
And windows have a perfect sheen…
We’ll eat some pancakes with praline
And nuts and chocolate in between…
And share because there’s no one mean…
And then we’ll lie in fields of green…
Where we don’t have to wear sunscreen…
We’ll watch a jolly jumping bean…
And copy his whole dance routine…
We’ll probably spot a submarine…
Up on a giant silver screen…
And after we’ve seen this whole scene…
We’ll park our magic rhyme machine…
And go and eat our mom’s cuisine…
And meet back here at eight fifteen.

Stay tuned,
Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

P.S.  I really appreciate your support here on my website. Here are some other awesome ways you can show your support, keep my words and music flowing, and keep me off the streets.
Get my ebooks for kids on Amazon.com
Get my Podcast
Circle me on Google +
Like my fan page on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Watch my videos on YouTube
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Butterflies For Kids

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I don’t have any scientific proof, but I believe God made butterflies for kids.

Children's writer singer and illustrator, Tony Funderburk, makes the case for why he believes God made butterflies for kids.

Think about it. Butterflies are beautiful creatures. So are kids. Butterflies love to flitter here, there, and everywhere. So do kids. Butterflies love sweet things. Kids, do too. It’s difficult to look at butterflies and not smile. Same with kids.

OK…maybe I’m biased. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for both butterflies and little kids. I suppose that’s why years ago I began to focus more on being a children’s writer. Or maybe it’s because a part of me…the part I’ll call my imagination…never outgrew the wonder of the world as seen through a child’s eyes.

Still…you have to admit, especially if you have little kids, they’re really fun (and funny) to watch. I remember one time when I went to a friend’s family reunion. This family had a lot of little kids. I mean a lot. And after everyone had lunch, a couple of the moms passed out little nets with colorful plastic handles to all the kids. They told them that the one who caught the most butterflies in the next half hour would get the first piece of cake for dessert. The kids loved it, and the grownups had a good time watching.

While adults can intellectually appreciate the beauty and form of creatures big and small, it takes a kid to truly dive into the amazing wonder.

And that’s why I believe God made…

Butterflies For Kids

Those butterflies they flutter by
And never make a sound.
Some soar up high into the sky…
Some just above the ground.
They land on flowers in the yard
And gently stretch their wings.
And then they fold them up again
And tend to other things.
Some little kids with little nets
Run barefoot through the yard.
They try to catch some butterflies,
But find out that it’s hard…
‘Cause butterflies fly up and down
And back and forth so well.
For kids who want to capture one
It’s like a magic spell.
They laugh and squeal in sheer delight
They nearly flip their lids.
And that’s why I’m quite sure that God
Made butterflies for kids.

Stay tuned,
Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

P.S.  I really appreciate your support here on my website. Here are some other awesome ways you can show your support, keep my words and music flowing, and keep me off the streets.
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Healthy Habits For Kids

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Get plenty of sleep. Eat foods that are good for you. Don’t eat and drink sugary stuff all the time. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Yep, these are all healthy habits for kids. But did you know that healthy habits are more than just food and hygiene?

Healthy habits for kids can be fun things they may even enjoy.

For instance…there’s this very addictive invention that almost all American families have in their house. It’s called a TV. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Well, it’s one of the worst enemies of good health there is. Don’t get me wrong…it’s full of entertaining fun, but that’s where the danger lies. So many people get started watching one program and then hit the remote and watch another and another and so on.

Well, here’s a way to turn bad TV watching habits into healthy habits for kids. It’s really easy. When commercials come on, everybody gets up and does one household task. Just one. These can be folding clothes, or putting water out for the pet, or sweeping a room, or putting away the clean dishes from the dishwasher. The list is endless. And you might be surprised at how easy it is to get a lot done since there are so many commercials nowadays. Go ahead give it a go. It’s good for the whole family. Last one back has to make the smoothies next time.

There are lots of other ways to develop healthy habits for kids. And the younger you start with them the easier it is to get them in the groove.

Another example using TV time is what I call missiletoes. I misspelled that on purpose. Here’s how it works. When the commercials come on, tell the kids you want to see who can stand on their tiptoes the longest. They’re free to walk around, but they just can’t go back down on their heels or they’re out of the game. And while they’re up on their toes, you can fire questions at them about the show to see what they remember. Tell them it’ll earn them extra points.

Missiletoes can really build up leg muscles, and almost all kids enjoy being challenged. Especially if there’s a reward. Of course, make sure the reward is another one of those healthy habits for kids. More on that later.

There are lots of ways you can change unhealthy habits into healthy ones. Maybe you have some creative ideas you’d like to share. If so, leave a comment below. In the meantime, here’s the…

~ Rhyme Time For Today ~

Little things you do each day
Help to keep the blues away.
Jumping when you get a chance…
Doing a delightful dance…
Picking toys up off the floor
Before you head out the door…
Drinking smoothies colored green
Not those colas with caffeine…
Smiling when you’d rather frown…
Walking like a ten foot clown…
Splashing puddles in the rain…
Whistling like an old steam train…
I could just go on and on,
But I’d surely make you yawn.
So, I guess that’s all today.
Now, go chase those blues away.

And here’s the Rhyme Time Podcast Episode 3

Play

Get The Rhyme and Reason PodcastDelivered to Your Device Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | More

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

P.S.  I really appreciate your support here on my website. Here are some other awesome ways you can show your support, keep my words and music flowing, and keep me off the streets.
Get my ebooks for kids on Amazon.com
Get my Podcast
Circle me on Google +
Like my fan page on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Watch my videos on YouTube
Get this blog

Tennis Ball Used At Wimbledon

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The men’s final is being played at Wimbledon today. I love tennis. It’s about the only sport I’ll still watch on TV. And something I find interesting is what kind of details spectators and speculators find interesting in the “big match”. They’ll get down to the details of the players’ gear, clothing, and shoes. They’re even talking about the tennis ball used at Wimbledon.

I suppose each thing can make a small difference. Still…the main thing always boils down to ability and desire to win. Many times a player with more desire to win can overcome even a player with more ability. We’ll see how it plays out this year.

Writer singer illustrator, Tony Funderburk, wonders what it would be like to be a tennis ball used at Wimbledon.

In the meantime, I thought about what it might be like to be a tennis ball at Wimbledon. So, I decided to write today’s Rhyme Time from that perspective. Enjoy…

~ Rhyme Time For Today ~

A little yellow ball bebopping on the grass…
Rolls to the corner like it ran out of gas.
It just lays there with a frown on its face
And wishes it could bounce right out of this place.
Then a guy with a racket picks up the poor ball
As the crowd looks on…and in front of them all
He smacks the yellow ball just over a net,
But wait. You haven’t heard the worst of it yet.
A guy on the other side smacks the ball back.
They both seem ready for each other’s attack.
The little yellow ball flies high through the air
And it wonders, “Why me? This just isn’t fair.”
Then it lands on the grass with only one bounce,
And a guy leaps forward with a powerful pounce.
Once again, with a smack, the little ball flies
Back across that net, so it closes its eyes,
But it lands real close to bright white line,
As a judge says “Out!” there’s a groan and a whine.
Then the little ball rolls over into the shade,
And it thinks to itself, “Now, I’ve got it made.”
A kid comes over and picks up the little ball
While the second guy says “That was just a bad call.”
And everybody’s looking at a great big screen.
What’s this all about? What does it all mean?
The little yellow ball, with its little ball brain,
Just wished it would end and wished it would rain.
It never asked for this job, and it’s just no fun
Being a yellow tennis ball used at Wimbledon.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

P.S.  I really appreciate your support here on my website. Here are some other awesome ways you can show your support, keep my words and music flowing, and keep me off the streets.
Get my ebooks for kids on Amazon.com
Get my Podcast
Circle me on Google +
Like my fan page on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Watch my videos on YouTube
Get this blog