Haiku

December 1, 2003
Two books launch the Asian Arts and Crafts for Creative Kids series: Origami by Michael LaFosse, and Haiku by Patricia Donegan. The first title begins with an introduction with suggestions and sources for finding good origami paper, as well as a brief synopsis of terms, techniques and symbols, then demonstrates over one dozen origami projects. Haiku offers a history of the Japanese poetic form and numerous tools to get young poets writing their own.

August 1, 2004
Gr 4-6-These guides offer several simple projects laced together with instructions that are reinforced through repetition. Urging young poets to focus more on characteristic elements, topics, and spirit than on syllable counts, Donegan demonstrates five ways of creating haiku, both as solitary and group efforts. Her many examples range from Matsuo Basho's famous frog to a modern Canadian youngster's "small green growing things/in my old dirty locker/on my ham sandwich." Reproductions of Japanese artwork and children's paintings appear throughout, and generous lists of Web sites, magazines, and organizations are appended. LaFosse's 15 paper models, arranged in order of difficulty from an accordion-folded fan to the traditional crane, include single-piece and modular designs presented through clear, standard-symbol, step-by-step diagrams. Photos of the finished projects are included. Any connection with Asian culture in these titles is limited to occasional references to holiday customs or like snippets. Both contain slightly awkward, strictly decorative illustrations. Still, the books make inviting choices, either for thematic classroom units or for children looking for new ways to express their creativity.-John Peters, New York Public Library

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2004
Gr. 4-8. Although this looks like a picture book for young readers, it is actually a comprehensive introduction to haiku that poetry students of many ages can enjoy. Donegan, a poet who lives in Japan, begins by explaining basic concepts (what it means to "look though haiku eyes") before she goes on to describe the seven elements of traditional haiku. The remainder of the book offers haiku projects and exercises, accompanied by lengthy explanations, hints, and even word charts to help children create poems. The somewhat stilted color illustrations may put off older readers, and some exercises contain fill-in-the-blank sections, a format that's not ideal for library circulation. But Donegan presents a great deal of information clearly and with authority, and her enthusiasm for her subject is contagious, particularly when she describes what writing haiku encourages us to do: "see and appreciate the world around us more." A glossary and a haiku resource guide round out this excellent choice for children as well as teachers seeking fresh materials for poetry units.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)