Seeing into Tomorrow: haiku by Richard Wright. Biography and illustrations by Nina Crews. Unpgd. Millbrook Press/ Lerner Publishing, February, 2018. 9781512418651. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher via SLJ Leadership Summit.)
Happy Friday TMS readers! Fact Friday features Seeing into Tomorrow: haiku by Richard Wright. Photographic-artist, Nina Crews learned of a collection of thousands of haiku that African American author, Richard Wright wrote in the years prior to his untimely death at age 52. Crews sifted through them and chose twelve to illustrate with her signature photo-collage technique. The result is a joyous celebration of the curiosity, hope and potential of black boys. Crews also introduces readers to the famous writer in the way of a short biography at the end of the collection.
Haiku by their nature, are accessible. This is a perfect introduction of an important writer for young readers.
Won Ton and Chopstick: a cat and dog tale told in haiku by Lee Wardlaw. Illustrated by Eugene Yelchin. 32 p. Henry Holt and Company (BYR), March, 2015. 9780805099874. (Purchased)
Won Ton is a happy cat now that his Boy is well-trained - nap, play, eat - it's all good. Until... What are these strange toys doing here? And, why is that door closed?
A puppy! Doom, according to Won Ton, who goes into full-Ninja mode only to be unceremoniously dumped outside, in a hilarious redux of one of my favorites from Won Ton: a cat tale told in haiku (2011). Oh, woe is Won Ton! He listens in on the conversation about what to name the puppy. He has the perfect name but no one's asking. He needs to enforce some rules, especially regarding his food bowl. This earns him a night outside where he misses his Boy and later, wonders if he will be forgotten.
Hilarious hijinks ensue involving toilet paper, garden beds and skunks among other familiar animal mishaps. Slowly, the two pets bond, leading to a conclusion that will leave readers sighing contentedly. This story could easily be read to a child coping with a new sibling as Won Ton's anger and confusion are pretty relatable. But share this one widely and add it to your haiku unit if you're a teacher. (ETA: here's a link to an extensive teacher's guide as well as a link to an activity guide!) Definitely one for any library collection.
It sure was fun to revisit with my favorite feline rescue.
I totally fell in love with Won Ton and eagerly awaited the release of its sequel once I learned it was coming. Endearing illustrations and plenty of humor make for a cozy read aloud.
Hi, Koo! by Jon J. Muth. 32 p. Scholastic Inc., February, 2014. 9780545166683. (Finished copy courtesy of the publisher for review.)
Koo (Zen Shorts) is back, tripping through a year and 26 haiku. While they all are not technically haiku, the reason explained in the Author's Note at the beginning, they all evoke simple joys found in each season. They are, at turns, contemplative, celebratory and hilarious. Each haiku is illustrated charmingly in watercolor and ink in a lovely palette dominated by greens and blues in the spring and summer, reds in the winter and browns in the fall. Adorably rotund Koo is front and center in each painting, but joined by two or more friends in most.
Arriving just in time to incorporate into a poetry unit for National Poetry month, this is a sparkling addition to your collection.
