My First Book of Haiku Poems: A Picture, a Poem and a Dream

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. [em](Mar.) [/em]