By Esther Onyegbula

A new children-focused poetry collection, The Rise and Fall of Rhymes and Rhythms, is earning praise for its thoughtful attempt to nurture emotional intelligence, empathy, and positive values among young readers at a time when children are increasingly exposed to social pressures and digital distractions.

Written by Yewande Akinse, the collection draws inspiration from her daughter and her reflections on parenting, childhood innocence, and the emotional realities confronting children in modern society.

Rather than presenting poetry merely as entertainment, the author said the book was carefully designed to serve as both inspiration and moral guidance for children, particularly young boys, encouraging them to embrace kindness, honesty, compassion, courage, and emotional awareness.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the work, Akinse explained that watching her daughter grow shaped her understanding of the power of words in moulding character and confidence.
“The collection was inspired by my daughter and the beauty, innocence, and curiosity I see in children everywhere,” she said.

“I wanted the poems to encourage children to understand that true strength is found not only in power but also in compassion, empathy, honesty, and self-expression.”
Blending playful imagination with deeper reflections on life and emotional growth, the book introduces children to themes of love, resilience, relationships, mistakes, hope, and personal development in language that remains engaging and relatable.

According to the author, several poems emerged from her experiences as a parent and her observations of the world children are navigating today.

She noted that while some poems celebrate innocence and creativity, others gently touch on emotional and social realities children may eventually encounter.
“I wanted the collection to balance innocence with wisdom, offering children poetry that feels comforting while also encouraging them to think deeply and grow with confidence and purpose,” she added.

At the heart of the collection is a strong belief in the enduring relevance of literature and poetry despite the dominance of technology and fast-paced digital culture.
Akinse argued that poetry remains vital because it allows children to pause, reflect, imagine, and connect with emotions in ways technology alone cannot provide.

“Stories and poems help children develop empathy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, and self-awareness while strengthening their imagination and understanding of the world,” she stated.
“Literature creates safe spaces where children can explore emotions, ask questions, learn values, and build confidence.”

The author also described as deeply meaningful the support received from the Office of the First Lady of Lagos State through the Boy Child Initiative championed by her excellency, Dr. (Mrs) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwoolu.
She said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to nurturing children through education, creativity, emotional development, and positive values.

According to her, the collaboration is expected to expand the reach of the book to more schools, families, and communities across Lagos and beyond.
“I hope the poems encourage children to embrace kindness, discipline, confidence, resilience, empathy, and creativity while reminding them of their worth and potential,” she said.

Beyond its literary appeal, The Rise and Fall of Rhymes and Rhythms also attempts to spark broader conversations about the emotional and intellectual wellbeing of children and the need for intentional investment in their future.

Explaining the meaning behind the title, the author said the words “rise” and “fall” reflect the cycles of life itself, birth, growth, endings, transitions, resilience, and emotional development.
“The title reflects the emotional journeys that exist between life’s beginnings and endings,” she explained.

“Every experience, whether joyful or difficult, contributes to wisdom, character, and emotional growth.”
The book ultimately reinforces the idea that creative works should not only entertain but also inspire meaningful change, shape values, and help raise compassionate and emotionally aware future generations.