ALA Booklist (Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2019)

Each two-page spread of this enigmatic collection of poems features a three-line verse by a haiku master inted in English, Japanese, and romanized Japanese syllables companied by a full-page painting of a surreal, imaginative scene. A child in winter clothes and a bunny snuggle close under a bell jar beneath a vast snowy sky, for instance, next to a verse by Issa: "Getting warm and snug / enfolded within the snow my domicile." Rather than literally illustrating the verses (a near impossible feat for such spare lines anyway), Gallup's paintings cultivate similar feelings and impressions, and a brief paragraph beneath the poem invites young readers to consider the verses and their meanings more closely. The poems cover classic haiku subjects, such as changing seasons, the moon, and nature, and the artwork compellingly echoes the strange sense of wonder that pervades the lines. Haiku is a mainstay of classroom poetry sections, and this volume does an unusually good job of putting the form in context and emphasizing its evocative, quiet beauty.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Classic haiku works by Japanese poets-appearing in their original script as well as Romaji and in English translation-are compiled in this artful collection. Ramirez-Christensen invites readers to contemplate the poems- meanings. One haiku reads: -The colors of/ the dawning sky-a change to/ a whole new garment.- A question follows: -When night becomes day or winter becomes spring, does it ever seem to you that nature is changing its clothes, the same way we change ours?- Another poem reads, -The year-s first dream-/ a secret I spoke to no one,/ smiling to myself- and in an accompanying illustration, a boy rests on the back of a cloudlike, blue cat, hovering over his bed. Readers are encouraged to create their own haiku to accompany a final illustration, which shows a girl preparing to step through a doorway into the outdoors. The poems gracefully encourage reading, contemplation, and creativity, and Gallup evokes wonder through her gently surreal imagery. Ages 5-9. (Mar.)

School Library Journal (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

K-Gr 4 This book introduces children to haiku poetry through 20 classic works by historical haiku masters including Issa, Shiki, Gomei, and others. Composed of 17 syllables and three lines, these short but powerful poems speak of our connection to the natural world. Ramirez-Christensen, a professor of Japanese literature at the University of Michigan, has chosen and translated the poems of these great haiku masters and offers the text in both English and Japanese. Each poem is paired with a stunning original painting that reflects the strength and beauty of the words, opening the door to the world of imagination. Illustrator Gallup's superb artwork vividly captures the nature of the poet's meaning. Along with the crisp and contemplative translations, the text also includes questions about both the words and illustrations to stimulate keen observation and discussion. Although the book's main demographic is children, it offers many ideas and suggestions for parents and teachers on ways to read, understand, and share the tradition and expressive meaning of haiku poetry. The book also includes a textless illustration to encourage would-be poets to write their own haiku. The final pages of the book feature the history of haiku and short bios of the master poets. VERDICT Well-constructed and thoughtful, this collection is a recommended title. Teachers and librarians could pair with other recent titles featuring haiku poetry such as Hi, Koo! by John Muth, Guyku by Bob Raczka, and Won Ton by Lee Waidlaw. -Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY