Title: Hi, Koo, A Year of Seasons
By Jon J Muth
Published by Scholastic, 2014, February 25
Ages: 4-8
Themes: seasons, haiku, poetry
First Haiku:
Autumn, are you dreaming of new clothes?
Synopsis:
An adorable panda bear called Koo, (whom we meet in ZEN TIES) takes us through tender child-centric, subtly alphabetic walk through the four seasons told in haiku poems. A—Autumn, B—Broom… Each page features a haiku and watercolor illustration about a sensorial moment during one of the seasons (dancing in the fall rain a la Gene Kelly, tickling a friend’s ear with a summer violet petal). The special moments in nature and childhood spill though the poems and pages.
Why I like this book:
Muth explains in an author’s note at the beginning of the book that translations from the traditional Japanese seventeen syllable (five-seven-five pattern) for haiku inevitably renders a different number of syllables in English. Like many modern poets, he has not restricted himself to the original pattern, “For me, haiku is like an instant captured in words—using sensory images. At its best, a haiku embodies a moment of emotion that reminds us that our own human nature is not separate from all of nature.”
The same peace and tenderness I came to know in Koo’s uncle’s books (ZEN SHORTS and ZEN TIES) are evident in these lyrical warm pages. Life in its goodness is celebrated. Each scene sparkles. It is a superb introduction to this poetry form and great addition to any class seasons project.
Activities/Resources:
- Video of Hi, Koo
- Great mentor text to teach children the haiku format.
- Kidzone Haiku Lesson
- Seasonal Haiku with Read Write Think
- Haiki Poetry Tips for Grades K-3 with Teacher Vision
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with teaching resources and activities, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
Delightful and befitting for Earth Day, too!
You are right, I hadn’t thought of that.
Oh my goodness, I love this book!. It is a beautiful book about nature and the seasons — definitely goes with Earth and Arbor Day. My granddaughter loves pandas. I want to check it out since her birthday in May 31, because I want her to experience something poetic and fun. Thank you!
I am a big Jon Muth fan. If you don’t know his other panda books, Pat, your granddaughter may love those too.
Well, this looks like an excellent little book! I’m learning a lot about haiku! I’ll be looking for this one! Thanks!
It is fun, lyrical and you learn a lot about this lovely poetic form, Rhythm.
Wonderful! I loved Zen Shorts! 😀
Me, too, and Zen’s nephew, Koo, is just as adorable!
I’ve read this one before, but it’s definitely worth a re-reading!
It has only just arrived at our library and I was the first to borrow it.