Friday, June 12, 2009

Poetry Friday: The Cuckoo's Haiku


The Cuckoo's Haiku: and Other Birding Poems by Michael J. Rosen captivated Ramona and me.

"Let's look at every bird, and read every poem, Mommy!"

And so we did.

Are you a birder? Love haiku? Want some stunning visuals? The Cuckoo's Haiku has it all in one deeply satisfying package. Stan Fellows' watercolor illustrations are positively gorgeous.

And though it's the kind of beauty-in-a-book that I love to share with my children, it's not just a children's book. This one went on my wish list immediately. I loved everything about it, and I think you will, too.

(For a wonderful interview with Michael Rosen, visit Jules at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. I don't know how I missed that Poetry Friday post back in February, but thanks, Mr. Rosen, for clueing me in via the comment box. Though we'd missed it before, happily we still stumbled on this book at our library.) And, see Michael Rosen's website, here, for more reviews.

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Poetry Friday is being hosted today at Critique de Mr. Chompchomp.

5 comments:

jama said...

I've heard so many wonderful things about this book. I'm a bird watcher, so I must get a copy for myself :).

Melanie Bettinelli said...

Wow did you just say birder and haiku in the same sentence? I am so sold! It is such a joy to me to see Bella standing at the back door calling out to the sparrows and robins. This looks like a grand treat for the both of us.

Michael J. Rosen said...

Hello, Karen Edmisten and readers of your blog,
Thank you for such a generous welcoming of my new book into your family (of children, of readers). I'm honored. It's so gratifying to be able to use my background in zoology/ornithology, and my living here in rural Ohio on a farm, and my work in poetry...together. I'm actually emboldened to do more work in this vein, to gather more haiku about the natural world and present it, similarly, for readers of all ages. (Yes, it's true, I imagine the circles of attention these poems make offer something for adults and for kids; there's an ongoingness and mystery that can be seen and shared on several levels.)
So many thanks. I've been very privileged to have such enthusiasm for this book. If your readers are interested in some interviews I've done on this book, here's a link to the page of my Web site that shares them.
Again, all good wishes, Michael J. Rosen
http://tinyurl.com/66rnzq

Karen Edmisten said...

Jama and Melanie, you will absolutely love this book.

Mr. Rosen, how delightful to hear from you! We loved your book and will be looking for more of your work. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Jules at 7-Imp said...

Ah yes, what a beautiful book.

Thanks for linking back to Rosen's wonderful words.