CCBC-Net Archives
RE: Favorites of the Year: Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku by Lee Wardlaw, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Alison O'Reilly <alison_at_suffolknet.org>
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:43:26 -0500
Hello,
I'm chiming in late to talk about one of my favorite picture books of the year. True, it has exquisite illustrations, but I am going to talk about why I liked the text at today's Mock Newbery Discussion in Suffolk County
.
Haiku is a form of Japanese verse written in 17 syllables divided into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. It employs highly evocative allusions and comparisons, often on the subject of nature (I lifted this definition from dictionary.com : ) This form is the container Wardlaw has chosen to hold the story of one of nature's most mysterious creatures: the cat. Specifically, Won Ton, a cat who finds himself in an animal shelter at the beginning of the story.
With clear, descriptive headings such as "The Shelter," "The Car Ride," and "The New Place," the reader knows where the main character is at all times without needing the illustrations. Won Ton is immediately established as someone with a sarcastic sense of humor, but his hard heart softens over the course of the story resulting in a spare and extremely satisfying character development arc.
The simplicity of the text is an illusion; each word is carefully selected:
Yawn. String-on-a-stick.
Fine. I'll come out and chase it
to make you happy
With only these few words, the action in the scene is clear, and young readers are gently let in on the irony of the situation: Won Ton can't admit he's looking for attention; he's only willing to "make concessions" to please his boy. The young reader will know better! By the end of the story, we can rest assured (along with Won Ton) knowing that he has found his ability to trust and love again, and the boy is given the gift of the cat's true name: Haiku.
The book is just lovely and worth a second look!
Regards,
Alison
Alison O'Reilly
Youth Services Consultant
Suffolk Cooperative Library System
627 N. Sunrise Service Road
PO Box 9000
Bellport, NY 11713-9000
631-286-1600 ext. 1002
alison_at_suffolknet.org
http://sclsyouthservices.wordpress.com/
Received on Tue 10 Jan 2012 08:43:26 AM CST
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:43:26 -0500
Hello,
I'm chiming in late to talk about one of my favorite picture books of the year. True, it has exquisite illustrations, but I am going to talk about why I liked the text at today's Mock Newbery Discussion in Suffolk County
.
Haiku is a form of Japanese verse written in 17 syllables divided into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. It employs highly evocative allusions and comparisons, often on the subject of nature (I lifted this definition from dictionary.com : ) This form is the container Wardlaw has chosen to hold the story of one of nature's most mysterious creatures: the cat. Specifically, Won Ton, a cat who finds himself in an animal shelter at the beginning of the story.
With clear, descriptive headings such as "The Shelter," "The Car Ride," and "The New Place," the reader knows where the main character is at all times without needing the illustrations. Won Ton is immediately established as someone with a sarcastic sense of humor, but his hard heart softens over the course of the story resulting in a spare and extremely satisfying character development arc.
The simplicity of the text is an illusion; each word is carefully selected:
Yawn. String-on-a-stick.
Fine. I'll come out and chase it
to make you happy
With only these few words, the action in the scene is clear, and young readers are gently let in on the irony of the situation: Won Ton can't admit he's looking for attention; he's only willing to "make concessions" to please his boy. The young reader will know better! By the end of the story, we can rest assured (along with Won Ton) knowing that he has found his ability to trust and love again, and the boy is given the gift of the cat's true name: Haiku.
The book is just lovely and worth a second look!
Regards,
Alison
Alison O'Reilly
Youth Services Consultant
Suffolk Cooperative Library System
627 N. Sunrise Service Road
PO Box 9000
Bellport, NY 11713-9000
631-286-1600 ext. 1002
alison_at_suffolknet.org
http://sclsyouthservices.wordpress.com/
Received on Tue 10 Jan 2012 08:43:26 AM CST
