I really enjoy reading haiku, especially the ones that focus on nature and those that describe the special little moments that make our lives richer. Today's poetry title is full of haiku of this kind. It takes us into a beautiful Japanese garden where memorable sights and experiences await us.
One Leaf Rides the Wind
One Leaf Rides the Wind
Celeste Davidson Mannis
Illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung
Poetry Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Penguin, 2005, 978-0756952136
Japanese gardens are places that have been carefully
designed to create an environment that is peaceful and beautiful. They give the
visitor the opportunity to take a break from the rigors of everyday life, and
to connect with nature. In such a garden visitors can find the quiet that they
need to “find that world of peace and tranquility within themselves.”
In this
beautiful book readers can visit just such a garden with a little girl. In her
company we see a leaf that “rides the wind,” and that moves so fast that she
cannot catch it. We see two stone temple dogs, which she feels are “snarling
over my shoulder.” The dogs will guard the garden from any kind of disaster.
In the garden a
collection of miniature bonsai trees make the little girl feel tall. She sees
four birds take flight when a cat prowling on a roof scares them. The little
girl visits a tea house where she finds a tray on which “seven sweet surprises
lie.” After her snack she goes back outside where more delights await her.
In this gorgeous
book every spread offers readers a beautiful illustration, a haiku poem, and a
short description of the garden feature that is being shown on those pages. A
pair of notes at the back of the book tell readers what Japanese gardens are
like, and what haiku poems are.
This special poetry
collection will give readers a taste of Japan that will stay with the reader
long after the book has been read and its covers have been closed.
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