Scan barcode
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful text full of examples of haiku that follow the traditional rhythm and themes of the style. The imagery the author brings along with the colorful and fun-filled illustrations makes the book one that will bring enjoyment to the reading of poetry.
Full review: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=18976
Full review: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=18976
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
Sydell Rosenberg was a master at writing haiku and her speciality was capturing "that fledging moment, when the wingstrokes become sure - when the bird has staying power in the air." In this book, you will find 26 haiku or senryu written before the author passed away in 1996, arranged alphabetically by first word. This is not an ABC book for toddlers, no indeed, it is a book for thoughtful students of life, observers who want to also hold on to that fledging moment. When I shared these poems with my young readers, some were just spot on for them: "Adventures over/The cat sits in the fur ring/of his tail and dreams" was a favorite from the start, as were many others. Some, like Z may feel a little dated: "Zum Zum restaurant/A French teacher grades papers/on her lunch break." Who remembers Zum Zum? I do, an old NYC German-style fast food restaurant. A simple explanation and we moved on. This book invites kids to read and consider these lovely poems over and over and they work especially well when teaching them about how they can find poetry simply by observing life's daily routines with different eyes. Chalabi's wonderfully diverse, whimsical illustrations extend the Rosenberg's words, increasing our enjoyment of the haiku.
marziesreads's review against another edition
5.0
For new readers, learning to feel at ease with pronouncing words and recognizing syllables is a challenge. Poetry, and in particular Haiku poetry, with its emphasis on a pattern of syllables (five on the first line, seven on the second and five on the third line) is an accessible way to challenge and delight children with simplicity. With clever illustrations, this compendium of alphabetical haikus written by longtime NYC teacher Sydell Rosenberg, member of the Haiku Society of America ( and who passed away in the 1990's) offers children simple sentences with a vocabulary challenge above that in conventional books for the primary grades. (Words like "writhing," "plunging," "queuing," and "outstretched" for instance, are not what we usually see in picture books.) The illustrations help the juvenile reader by offering clues. (Although Z is pretty sneaky and not associated with a visual clue.)
This is a good book for classroom use and for parents to explore with their early-reader children. The illustrations, by Sawsan Chalabi, while simple, are effective and humorous.
I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a good book for classroom use and for parents to explore with their early-reader children. The illustrations, by Sawsan Chalabi, while simple, are effective and humorous.
I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
bethmitcham's review
4.0
A lovely picture book, especially for city kids. Each haiku captures a moment, and the illustrations go beyond to show the emotion of that moment instead of just a photo of it.
But I didn't find any poem I wanted to save and keep for myself.
But I didn't find any poem I wanted to save and keep for myself.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
5.0
"...Sydell Rosenberg’s haiku invite
children and their parents to slow
down, linger, and pay attention to the
moments we often overlook."
Haiku. What is haiku's magic?
Haiku winnows.
Haiku potters.
Haiku shimmers.
Haiku looks you straight in the eye.
Haiku winks.
Sydell Rosenberg's collection of twenty-six haiku is haiku at its best, winnowing, pottering, shimmering, staring with truth, winking. The illustrations are perfectly haiku-ish themselves, quietly reflecting the words without muting them.
Here's a tiny glimpse into the book:
Lovely.
marziesreads's review
5.0
For new readers, learning to feel at ease with pronouncing words and recognizing syllables is a challenge. Poetry, and in particular Haiku poetry, with its emphasis on a pattern of syllables (five on the first line, seven on the second and five on the third line) is an accessible way to challenge and delight children with simplicity. With clever illustrations, this compendium of alphabetical haikus written by longtime NYC teacher Sydell Rosenberg, member of the Haiku Society of America ( and who passed away in the 1990's) offers children simple sentences with a vocabulary challenge above that in conventional books for the primary grades. (Words like "writhing," "plunging," "queuing," and "outstretched" for instance, are not what we usually see in picture books.) The illustrations help the juvenile reader by offering clues. (Although Z is pretty sneaky and not associated with a visual clue.)
This is a good book for classroom use and for parents to explore with their early-reader children. The illustrations, by Sawsan Chalabi, while simple, are effective and humorous.
I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a good book for classroom use and for parents to explore with their early-reader children. The illustrations, by Sawsan Chalabi, while simple, are effective and humorous.
I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
More...