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Cleary introduces readers to haiku and lantern
poems, defining each, providing background, explaining syllabic
line requirements, and offering examples. Admitting that he takes
a broad approach to haiku (traditionally they are nature poems),
Cleary offers many humorous verses, including: “My pet pig,
Betty, / in her full karate stance, / performs the ‘pork chop.’”
The lantern poems range from pastoral (“Spring. / Yellows, /
Blues, and greens. / Chirp, peck, peep, pop, / bloom”) to more
contemporary themes (“Slush— / gulping / icy treat. / Getting
brain freeze. / Whoa”). Rowland’s colorful cartoon illustrations
capture the varying moods and often extend the text. For example,
he depicts one lantern poem (“Eight: / circles / up and down. /
Each must be worth / four”) as a figure eight–shaped race track
with four cars driving on each circle. Appended with suggested
websites and books for further reading, this will be welcomed by
classrooms studying poetry. Pair with Bob Raczka’s Guyku: A Year
of Haiku for Boys (2010). Grades 2-4. --Kay Weisman
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Review
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"This slim volume introduces two forms of Japanese poetry. The
first and larger section focuses on the more familiar haiku. A
simple introduction defines the form but explains that while
haiku subjects traditionally focus on nature, these selections
cover a broader range of topics, including school and food.
Twenty original haiku follow, illustrated with spot cartoon
illustrations. The second part is dedicated to lantern poems (or
a poem whose visual shape resembles a lantern), opening with an
even briefer introduction and 15 illustrated examples. The poetry
in both sections varies from thoughtful to silly. While this is
an interesting look at the two different poetic forms, format is
all that ties the wide assortment of selections together, and
even the transition between the two sections feels abrupt. Still,
the explanatory texts provide clear instructions and
encouragement for readers creating their own poems." ―School
Library Journal
(Journal)
"An engaging lantern poem and haiku how-to for young readers.
Veteran children's series author Cleary (Feet and Puppies,
Thieves and Guppies: What Are Irregular Plurals? with Brian
Gable, 2014, etc.) and British illustrator Rowland team up to
launch the new Poetry Adventures series with a picture book
demonstrating the great fun to be had with wee poems. While poets
typically choose the spare haiku or concrete lantern form to
communicate profound reflections on nature, here Cleary turns
poetic convention on its ear by conjuring silly,
sometimes-hilarious situations. Whether describing a bodily
function, as in 'Yummy'―'When something's so good / you want to
taste it again, / that's what burps are for'―or poking fun at the
haiku form itself―'When you've written one / without enough
syllables, / you add words. Football'―Cleary's light touch
immediately grabs attention. Even the more contemplative lantern
poems, so called because the five-line syllabic form's outline
slightly resembles that of a Japanese lantern, are perfectly
geared for the young: 'Hug: / a gift / that is best / when you
return / it.' To further entice readers to write, Cleary provides
clear descriptions of the poetics of each form alongside
Rowland's vibrant, brightly hued illustrations that include a
nicely ethnically diverse cast of human characters as well as
zany aliens and plenty of visual wit.
Wonderfully crafted and illustrated: a delightful, effective
primer for budding poets." ―starred, Kirkus Reviews
(Journal)
"Brian Cleary, author of several word and poetry books for
children, introduces two forms of ancient Japanese poetry―the
popular haiku and the lesser-known lantern poem―in this title
from the Poetry Adventures series. Cleary clearly explains each
type of poetry; haiku captures a specific moment while lantern
poems employ a noun as the first line and the other lines shed
light on the subject. All of the poems included are clever, many
are humorous. The poems represent a variety of topics including
months, seasons, nature, everyday experiences, etc. Lower grade
teachers can use this title as a fun read-aloud, while middle and
upper grade teachers can employ the book to instruct students on
the two poetry forms and to assign their students assignments to
create poems themselves. Andy Rowland has provided colorful
illustrations that enhance the enjoyment of the book." ―Library
Media Connection
(Journal)
"Cleary introduces readers to haiku and lantern poems, defining
each, providing background, explaining syllabic line
requirements, and offering examples. Admitting that he takes a
broad approach to haiku (traditionally they are nature poems),
Cleary offers many humorous verses, including: 'My pet pig,
Betty, / in her full karate stance, / performs the "pork chop."'
The lantern poems range from pastoral ('Spring. / Yellows, /
Blues, and greens. / Chirp, peck, peep, pop, / bloom') to more
contemporary themes ('Slush― / gulping / icy treat. / Getting
brain freeze. / Whoa'). Rowland's colorful cartoon illustrations
capture the varying moods and often extend the text. For example,
he depicts one lantern poem ('Eight: / circles / up and down. /
Each must be worth / four') as a figure eight–shaped race track
with four cars driving on each circle. Appended with suggested
websites and books for further reading, this will be welcomed by
classrooms studying poetry. Pair with Bob Raczka's Guyku: A Year
of Haiku for Boys (2010)."―Booklist
(Journal)
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