Title: GUYKU A Year of Haiku for Boys
Written by: Bob Raczeka
Illustrated by: Peter Reynolds
Published by: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, New York, 2010
Themes/Topics: seasons, poetry, haiku, nature
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Opening:
The wind and I play tug-of-war with my kite. The wind is winning.
Synopsis:
A nature-infused stream of present tense playful, reflective haiku that tug you through the seasons and their unexpected and expected playgrounds for boys. Alternating between one haiku and one illustration or two haiku and two illustrations on each double-paged spread.
Why I like This Book:
This book is an invitation to play, to create, to be poetic, to reflect to go outside. Reynolds’ characteristic whimsical two boys (diverse, but this is by the by) animate the beautiful poetry with scenes of old fashioned, universal childhood fun.
While I think the title is very clever and catchy, I think in a way it does a disservice to this beautiful book as the message and content is as much for girls as boys!
The haiku follow the 7, 5, 7 syllable tradition and are pitch perfect. My favorite is one of the spring poems:
If this puddle could talk, I think it would tell me to splash my sister
Activities/Resources:
I would definitely use this as a mentor text for teaching a class haiku!
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
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.
What a lovely idea for a picture book. I think it would be a great way to encourage children to write a short Haiku and draw a picture. What a great choice today!
It makes haiku very, very accessible to kids, Pat.
I agree about the title, but it’s all about marketing, I suppose. Nevertheless, the poems you shared and (of course) the art make this one book I’ll be eager to get my hands on. Thanks!
It is clever and hopefully teachers and parents will make sure it gets into girls’ hands too.
I LOVE this book! (As I love anything Peter Reynolds gets his hands on! lol) I think it’s just perfect 🙂
Peter’s characters are so whimsical and endearing, aren’ they?
Yes! I adore his work—and him! His brother, too! At some point, once they have time, I’ll be posting interviews with them on my two blogs 🙂 Looking forward to whenever that is! I hope before the next International Dot Day 🙂
Terrific.
Silly and a bit sad that society has kids thinking boy/girl things while still in elementary school but if the title gets more boys reading poetry, then it’s a great one!
I do think ALL kids will adore this, Wendy.
What a fabulous book! You’re right, this would be amazing as a class mentor book. I’m off to see if my library has it. Thanks!
It captures the essence of haiku in such a kid-freindly way.
I’m voting with Donna – Peter’s touch to a book is magical! Lovely choice Joanna.
:D… he’s the BEST! 😀
I always want to play with the characters Peter creates.
DOGKu, that’s so call. I am thinking I should write some more!
GUYku! I have a book called DOGku! Where’s the GIRLku? This one looks cute – and you can’t go wrong with Mr Reynolds, for sure!
I love the title… you just know you’re in for fun and hijinks with this poetry.
It is true that the title is a clever hook!
A perfect book as spring feels around the corner. 🙂 I don’t recall reading this one yet. I’ll check my library.
The seasons from a kids’ perspective are awesome.
LOVE poetry…Will be reading this one very soon. Library card is full 🙂
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