Language Patterns: Interlocking
The third pattern is the interlocking pattern. This pattern is one in which the episodes are interlocked. The events do not repeat or add. The book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,uses the interlocking pattern. This book has become a series.
The interlocking pattern is good for teaching cause and effect, because one thing leads to another.
If you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to ask for a glass of milk. When you give him the milk, he’ll probably ask you for a straw.... You can see that the events interlock.
Another book that uses the interlocking pattern is Each Peach Pear Plum. Each peach pear plum, I spy Tom Thumb. Tom Thumb in the cupboard, I spy Mother Hubbard. Mother Hubbard down the cellar, I spy Cinderella.
Each Peach Pear Plumalso uses rhyme and rhythm. It is not uncommon for a children's picture book to use more than one language pattern.
If you Give a Mouse a Cookieand Each Peach Pear Plumare examples of children's picture books that use the interlocking pattern.