Spring is a time to try out new ideas, and Wing Nuts: Screwy Haiku, written by Paul B. Janeczko and J. Patrick Lewis with illustrations by Tricia Tusa, introduces readers to the poetry form of senryu. Described as the kissin’ cousins of haiku, these are short, pun-filled, humorous poems. Rusa’s whimsical illustrations match the wacky, offbeat humor of the poems, creating a book that is sure to evoke giggles from listeners. The first poem reads, Tabby and Fido do whatever they want reigning cat and dog, while the illustration shows a be-crowned cat and dog being lovingly waited on by their human family (not really so far off from a lot of families, when you come to think of it). Another poem depicts a crow, Solitary crow calls its cousin in distant pine with its Ôcawing card.’ And then there’s this pun-filled gem, City pigeons chatter and coo busybodies eavesdropping. Wing Nuts is just the kind of book to inspire young readers to create their own poetry for National Poetry Month, so let the shower of poems begin! Deborah Hopkinson’s new book, a Junior Library Guild selection entitled Up Before Daybreak: Cotton and People in America, will be published this month.
Valiant Women is a vital and engrossing attempt to correct the record and rightfully celebrate the achievements of female veterans of World War II.
