If It Rains Pancakes

April 1, 2014

K-Gr 4-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 instruction and encouragement for readers creating their own poems.-Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2014
Grades 2-4 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 eightshaped 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).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

April 1, 2014
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. (Picture book/poetry. 6-10)

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