Author/Illustrator: Linda Sue Park/Istvan Banyai
Publisher/Date: Clarion Books/2007
Genre/Audience: Poetry/Ages 4-8
Themes: sijo (Korean poetic form), events in a day, school year, seasons
Opening: (First poem)
BREAKFAST
For this meal, people like what they like, the same every morning.
Toast and coffee. Bagel and juice. Cornflakes and milk in a white bowl.
Or--warm, soft, and delicious--a few extra minutes in bed.
Synopsis: (From Amazon.com)
"A sijo, a traditional Korean verse form, has a fixed number of stressed syllables and a humorous or ironic twist at the end. Like haiku, sijo are brief and accessible, and the witty last line winds up each poem with a surprise. The verses in this book illuminate funny, unexpected, amazing aspects of the everyday--of breakfast, thunder and lightning, houseplants, tennis, freshly laundered socks. Carefully crafted and deceptively simple, Linda Sue Park's sijo are a pleasure to read and an irresistible invitation to experiment with an unfamiliar poetic form. Istvan Banyai's irrepressibly giddy and sophisticated illustrations add a one-of-a-kind luster to a book that is truly a gem."
Why I Love This Book:
I love that sijo is a lesser-known cousin to haiku. It has a specific number of syllables and, with a surprise ending, each poem delights. There are so many ways to extend this to the literacy classroom. Linda Sue Park has proven herself a master of many children's genres, from her Newbery Award winning novel A Single Shard to picture books and poetry, her books are a sure bet.
BREAKFAST
For this meal, people like what they like, the same every morning.
Toast and coffee. Bagel and juice. Cornflakes and milk in a white bowl.
Or--warm, soft, and delicious--a few extra minutes in bed.
Synopsis: (From Amazon.com)
"A sijo, a traditional Korean verse form, has a fixed number of stressed syllables and a humorous or ironic twist at the end. Like haiku, sijo are brief and accessible, and the witty last line winds up each poem with a surprise. The verses in this book illuminate funny, unexpected, amazing aspects of the everyday--of breakfast, thunder and lightning, houseplants, tennis, freshly laundered socks. Carefully crafted and deceptively simple, Linda Sue Park's sijo are a pleasure to read and an irresistible invitation to experiment with an unfamiliar poetic form. Istvan Banyai's irrepressibly giddy and sophisticated illustrations add a one-of-a-kind luster to a book that is truly a gem."
Why I Love This Book:
I love that sijo is a lesser-known cousin to haiku. It has a specific number of syllables and, with a surprise ending, each poem delights. There are so many ways to extend this to the literacy classroom. Linda Sue Park has proven herself a master of many children's genres, from her Newbery Award winning novel A Single Shard to picture books and poetry, her books are a sure bet.
Resources:
Great general resource: Sijopoetry.com
Sijo writing competition, open to students grade 12 and younger
Linda Sue Park's website
Great general resource: Sijopoetry.com
Sijo writing competition, open to students grade 12 and younger
Linda Sue Park's website
For more links to Perfect Picture Books, a collection of bloggers who contribute at Susanna Leonard Hill’s site, click here.
I had never heard of sijo. Now you've made me curious! Is the title a reference to thunder? I could have used that comforting visual yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThe title is actually from a poem called LONG DIVISION!
DeleteI'm another sijo newbie. They sound like they would make for some great kid-friendly poems.
ReplyDeleteThey really are a lot of fun!
DeleteLaura, I'm not familiar with sijo, but I like what you shared. Great discussion and activities to share with kids. Really like your choice.
ReplyDeletethis sounds like a lot of fun! I'm all for rhythm and surprises at the end! I'll be checking this one out. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have never been disappointed by Linda Sue Park. Thanks for introducing me to this book and to sijo. "Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI am new to sijo too. Interesting and love the unexpected twist to end poems. Need to look into this. Thanks for sharing, Laura.
ReplyDelete