The Cuckoo's Haiku: and Other Birding Poems

by Michael J. Rosen, Stan Fellows (Illustrator)

A joyful primer on the pleasures of bird-watching merges haiku, notes for identifying species, and exquisite watercolor illustrations.

In spare and graceful words, poet and birder Michael J. Rosen captures
the forecasting call of the mysterious cuckoo as well as essential characteristics of more than twenty commonly seen North American birds. This artfully compiled field notebook — enriched by the evocative artwork of watercolorist Stan Fellows — captures the excitement of recognizing a bird, whether a darting kingfisher, a wandering wild turkey, or a chirpy house sparrow.
Back matter includes notes for birdwatchers and haiku lovers.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Birds, Nature, Childrens, Animals, Nonfiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published March 10, 2009

About the author

Rosen's Website should provide all this and more. It's http://www.fidosopher.com.
Nonetheless: Michael J. Rosen is an American author and illustrator with over 120 books of fiction, nonfiction, humor, picture books, poetry, and more. With a strong interest in nature and animals, reflecting his animal behavior degree from Ohio State University, Rosen resides within a peaceful crease of Central Ohio with his pack of animal companions that include 2 small koi ponds he helped build on the 100 acres he shares in the foothills of the Ohio Appalachians. An avid dog lover, he was inspired by Chant, his newest Australian stumpy-tail cattle dog, which led to the creation of his newest book of fiction, The Tale of Rescue, which will be released in October 2015. With an MFA in poetry from Columbia University, Rosen also showcases his skills and talents in other projects such as The Maine Coon’s Haiku: And Other Poems for Cat Lovers (2015).

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to Michael Rosen late, and through an uncharacteristic book, Michae; Rosen’s Sad Book, about the loss of his eighteen-year-old son to meningitis, which was devastating, of course.
Thanks to Julie’s review, I read The Cuckoo’s Haiku and Other Birding Poems, a perfect short picture book for spring, wedding his love for poetry with his love for birding. As he says,

"Haiku and bird-watching are kindred arts: the subject of both is often a fleeting impression--a snatched glimpse. Yet a long, steady look through the binoculars’ lenses can turn a familiar sight into something astonishing."

woodpecker knock-knocks
riddled with the same question
trees yawn, answering

Four seasons, four groups of birds he sees on his Ohio farm (and since I am also from the midwest, most are familiar to me, and I have seen all of them), a poem for each bird and also field notes from his birding journal, with lovely watercolor artwork from Stan Fellows. Back matter includes notes for birdwatchers and haiku lovers. I really like it so much, I ordered it.

Okay, maybe the haikus are not as well done as the art, and maybe it is not for very young kids (but more for older kids and birding adults?), but I still liked it a lot.

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally and utterly adore birds and yes, from a textual and poetic point of departure, Michael J. Rosen's The Cuckoo's Haiku: And Other Birding Poems is most definitely a five star ranking for me (with the author's presented haikus not only totally and utterly capturing the majesty and beauty of the presented avian species but also delightfully glorifying and celebrating the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and fall). Gracefully and expressively accompanied by Stan Fellows' realistically sparkling but also imaginatively descriptive bird illustrations (which also and very much appreciatively list especially many of the physical attributes of the given poeticised presented species right in with the depicted and shown birds), I have indeed and absolutely both totally appreciated and enjoyed if not massively loved the magical, lyrical and factual combination of Michael J. Rosen's gorgeously poetical avian haikus and Stan Fellows' delightfully realistic yet still luminously imaginative visuals.

And indeed, the only reason that The Cuckoo's Haiku: And Other Birding Poems is a four star and not yet a five star book for me is that although yes, I have very much enjoyed perusing the informative supplemental detail blurbs on each of the twenty-four bird species at the back of The Cuckoo's Haiku: And Other Birding Poems, I really do not all that much understand (considering that all of said presented information is mostly zoologic and biologic in scope and thematics) why author Michael J. Rosen has not also included a bibliography with suggestions for further reading (and perhaps also listing a few current birding websites, as these not only often feature interesting avian facts but often also provide important tips on how to be a successful and environmentally responsible birder, how to observe wild birds without unduly stressing them).

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark-eyed junco

phased like tilted moons
half shadow, half reflection
juncos cross the snow

*

Lovely lines, helpful descriptions and gorgeous illustrations, as follows:





June 7, 2020

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous book is divided by season with a list of the birds included at the beginning of each section. The Notes for Birdwatchers and Haiku Lovers at the back of the book includes fascinating information on each bird, which I didn't already know and was glad to learn. The Haiku and accompanying watercolor illustrations are exceptional. My favorite Haiku is:

"above gold jonquils
feeding finches stacked like coins
April's alchemy"

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS I appreciated, more than avidly enjoyed, this one. Some of the poems made me smile or brought to mind something I enjoyed about the spotlighted bird, but many of them did not particularly resonate with me. The illustrations are lovely and I enjoyed that we see birds across the seasons. I appreciated the "Notes for Birdwatchers and Haiku Lovers" at the back, providing a little more info on each bird, though I do wish it had denoted where in the world each bird can be found (the assumption, I think, being that most of these are widespread in the USA but still...) My favorites were the bluebird notes, the crow-apple tree, the asphalt-colored grackle (that got me probably because I usually see them scavenging in parking lots, alas), the dark-eyed junco, and the wild turkey (the only one my oldest really seemed to relate to--he got a chuckle out of the tracks, "their arrows point us one way, they go the other"). I do think that, though catalogued as a children's book, this could easily be enjoyed by adults who enjoy birds.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book; I loved the haikus and I loved the watercolor and pencil paintings of the birds. The haikus were exceptionally adept at painting pictures with words. I also liked the additional notes on the birds in the back of the book. The only drawback was that the cursive notes about the birds on each page were sometimes difficult to read, but each haiku was in large, easy-to-read typeface, so that children who cannot read cursive, can still easily read the poems.

[Becky Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Rosen states in his author’s bio in the back of the book: “Haiku and bird-watching are kindred arts: the subject of both is often a fleeting impression – a snatched glimpse. Yet a long, steady look … can turn a familiar sight into something astonishing.”

Familiar and yet astonishing. Two perfect adjectives for this perfect book. The title words tell you exactly what you are going to get: a collection of haiku poems celebrating the beauty of birds. The poems are arranged by season, beginning with spring’s bluebird.

Each of the 24 species saluted in this work gets a double-page spread with the haiku on one page and handwritten informational comments on at least one but often both pages. The comments are the standard snippets of information one might expect: descriptions of size, habits, and songs.

Fellows’ soft but vibrant watercolors convey the majesty of the birds, their surroundings, and the seasons. From the pastels of spring to the silvery-blues of winter, the artwork comes very close to stealing the show!

The last five pages provide a listing of the birds (in their order of appearance), brief information about them, and some of the author’s thoughts. Rosen even quotes Shakespeare in the blurb about starlings!

The Cuckoo’s Haiku is a great resource with several applications. It is very appropriate for introducing children ages 6 and up to haiku as a poetry form. It is also perfect for an introduction to North American birds. Finally, for me at least, it is a beautiful blending of poetry and art to deepen my love, appreciation, and understanding of nature.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book, with Stan Fellows'gorgeous art gracing the gentle haiku of Michael J. Rosen, in what is described in the dust jacket as his "field notebook." Also from the dust jacket, the words of Rosen himself: "Haiku and bird-watching are kindred arts: the subject of both is often a fleeting impression - a snatched glimpse. Yet a long, steady look through the binoculars' lenses can turn a familiar sight into something astonishing." I loved this comparison, and it is accurately reflected in the poems and illustrations. Artist Fellows says he's not much of a birder, but he clearly loves them and his vivid illustrations are a reflection of his fascination with their lives and behaviors. This is a treasure to read and peruse and reflect on, well worth the time spent for lovers of birds, poetry, and/or stunning artwork (done in watercolor and pencil).

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I'm trying to learn about good haiku. This is not it. If, however, you want a beautifully illustrated book of bird poetry, this would be perfect. My problem is that the author, Michael J. Rosen, has followed the form erroneously taught in so many elementary schools that a haiku must have three lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, then 5 syllables. In actuality, the syllable counts are appropriate if one is writing or speaking Japanese. It does not necessarily work in English. That said, the book is beautifully illustrated by Stan Fellows. The artwork is realistic and a consummate portrayal of the poetry words. The book ends with a notes explaining characteristics about each of the 20 birds which appear in the book. A beautiful book.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

With gorgeous watercolor and pencil illustrations and short haikus that evoke the changing seasons and the birds who thrive in each, this book offers insight into the world of birdwatching and the ways to identify them.

The additional information provided at the end of the book is very informative and I enjoyed reading about each bird's typical habitats, behaviors, and personalities.

I also liked the notes about the distinguishing characteristics of the birds accompanying the illustrations, but the cursive is a bit fancy and some words are hard to read even for me. I can imagine that children will find it very challenging. Thankfully, the haikus are in a large, easy-to-read font, so even if someone cannot decipher the cursive, the poems are accessible.

This book was featured as one of the selections for the April 2019: Haiku poetry books discussion for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations were exquisitely beautiful. I love how some of the poems had words as examples of how the bird sounds.

[uma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much! Beautiful illustrations and poems.

[Ed]

Rosen, Michael J. (2009). The Cuckoo’s Haiku: and other Birding Poems. New York: Candlewick. 128 pp. ISBN 978-0-7636-3049-2 (Hardcover); $17.99

Fowl is the season,
Bird lovers, art lovers, sweet!
Pour through these pages and fly.

Exquisite watercolors blended with evocative haiku grace each distinctive page of this tribute to twenty-four of the birds commonly found in North America. EAS

I wish I were a better poet! I would capture more of the field guide nature and cherished personal journal feel of this stunning collection of information, poetry, and art as we travel through the seasons with Rosen and Fellows. Each (double) page is meticulously designed to enhance the information, the art, and the haiku. Each haiku faithfully cages the essence of the bird description:

“woodpecker knock-knocks
riddled with the same question
trees yawn, answering”

The pileated woodpecker is depicted on the tree as one might find it (left page), in flight, and on the tree magnified (right). Underneath the large tree version are insets of the insects for which the woodpecker hunts. The poem is centered on the left page, but both pages are clearly designed to accentuate all the elements. Despite all of the art, information, and the haiku, the pages do not look cluttered (which, indeed, would defeat the purpose of the haiku). Often there is a personal tidbit thrown in that represents Rosen’s delight in sharing a subject that he (and Fellows) obviously love, such as when he describes the gold finch song as “potato chips, potato chips.” Often these morsels are hand-written, which perfectly captures the world of many birdwatchers in the field watching, observing, and writing about the birds they know and love so well. This book also has the benefit of spanning a large age range. The art alone makes this one well worth buying for any school library or classroom.

[Kerfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, Michael J Rosen, say, "Haiku and bird-watching are kindred arts: the subject of both is often a fleeting impression--a snatched glimpse. Yet a long, steady look through the binoculars; lenses can turn a familiar sight into something astonishing." And of course the same can be said of the words of haiku. Turning the familiar into the astonishing.

Stan Fellows' lovely illustrations place the birds both in their habitat and the changing seasons, and Rosen's haiku capture moments and essences of bird and landscape that resonate.

As a bonus, notes at the end of the book add descriptive information for each bird.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

i love the concept of this book, and the illustrations are outstanding. the haiku, however, were a bit of a disappointment--i found that they were a bit too concerned with the book concept and not grounded enough in the principles of haiku. there were a few gems, but, overall, i found the haiku to be lackluster.

[Joy Keil · Rating 4 out of 5]

The part I loved the most was the pictures and descriptions. Especially since my husband is an avid birder!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations really make the book. Gorgeous.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not by Michael Rosen. The poems here are not as successful, imo, as they would have been if written by him. Still, I like a few.

Nuthatch - "gravity's jester"
Mockingbird - "the one-man bird band:/ diva, choir, and orchestra/ unbroken record"
Starling - "masking the daylight/ one wheeling black star explodes/ thousands of starlings"

The art is gorgeous. I would love to share it with a child. I hope to find more by Stan Fellows.

(However, the Mourning Dove's nests that I've seen are very much simpler & less sturdy than that shown. Otoh, google images shows nests more like Fellows' so maybe the birds that I knew were particularly inept.)

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books that cover the year in some way, like John Updike's A Child's Calendar, and this is another, but this time Michael J. Rosen focuses his haiku on birds, beginning with spring. The first seasons show seven birds and the final two show five.
Here is the title poem:
the cuckoo's haiku
hidden like the chance of rain
its name, repeating

The thoughtful haiku are further illustrated in fabulous watercolors by Stan Fellows, and on each page, handwritten notes offer a few basic bits of information. Added info about each bird can be found at the back. Such a lovely book will inspire more poetry.

[Josef Alexandr · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a subtle elegance to birds and the environments that they fill with their songs. When combined with the gentle brushstrokes of watercolors and well-crafted illustrations, The Cuckoo’s Haiku: and Other Birding Poems by Michael J. Rosen gives a stunning look into the different natures of bird species through beautiful verses. The book, in many ways, acts as a field guide that emits a sense of calm and wonder when learning more about these creatures. Though the work may not stand as a wacky or humorous collection, the poems give an insightful take on learning that catches readers’ attention within numerous generations.

[Andre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely collection of bird-inspired haiku, organized by season. The watercolor illustrations deftly capture the image suggested by the poem. Several comparisons were particularly striking, like the idea of bluebirds on power lines being arranged like notes on a staff. My only quibble would be that the curly font was a little hard to read amid the colorful images, especially the extra comments in smaller text. Still, if you like birds or haiku, this collection is well worth reading.

[Pfisher2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful collection of haiku about birds. The illustrations contribute to the meaning and suggest motion and activity of birds. "the pond's still airstrip
far-off trumpets grow louder----
one splash! two---hushed---glides---"
Because of the brevity of haiku (17 syllables) and the lovely action filled illustrations, this book might be useful for reluctant readers.

[Katrina Lybbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cuckoo's Haiku was a nice collection of poems about birds. In addition to the poems there were nice illustrations and great facts about each bird. Plus more facts for each bird at the back of the book. The only thing that kept it from a 5 star read for me was the cursive font the bird facts were written in was just too hard for me to read. The poems themselves were in a nice clear font. I did enjoy reading the book.

[Emily Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was beautifully made not just the imagery used in each haiku, but the images were beautiful looking like watercolors. I loved the haikus were organized into each of the four seasons which is my favorite part especially the fall and winter poems. I think this book would be good for introducing haikus to students.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous watercolor illustrations and amazing book design. The haiku were okay.

[Breann Burch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love haiku poems, the illustrations are gorgeous.

[Tibia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Beautiful and insightful notes and verses on many different species of birds. Also, brilliantly illustrated! Enjoyed, and hope to read others in the series.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great haikus, watercolor illustrations are gorgeous. The fanciful script used for interesting facts about each species was a little hard to read, but went really well with the rest of the design.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosen, Michael J. 2009. The Cuckoo’s Haiku and Other Birding Poems. Somerville: Candlewick. ISBN: 978-07636-3049-2.

Research on children’s poetry preferences shows that haikus are one of the least favorite forms of poetry and that children prefer humorous poetry or poetry written about familiar situations (Vardell 75). With that research in mind, it is understandable that a book of haikus about birds may not interest young children. This collection of poems, marketed on Amazon as a book for children ages 4-8, did not break the mold that research found. The book is divided by the four seasons, and each haiku is devoted to one bird. In addition to the poem, there is side information about the bird. The side information is in a beautiful scroll type, which is difficult for young children, many of which do not know how to read or write cursive, to decipher. Struggling readers will not invest the time to read the small scroll. So, while the script adds to the whimsical pictures, it does not help students who are curious about the birds. While the pictures in the book are beautiful, vivid watercolors of unique birds and their surroundings, they lack appeal for young children.
March brings the beginning of spring for those in Texas (April for the rest of the country), and for many, it’s the first chance in a long time to get outside and feel the warmth of the sun. The haiku entitled “Eastern Bluebird” reminds the reader that the birds are spring’s first song.
“On a staff of wires
Blue notes inked from April skies
Truly, spring’s first song” (Rosen 3).
When spring brings those beautiful crisp afternoons, these poems make for a great break from the classroom. After reading this haiku, the students can take a break outside, enjoying spring’s first song, writing about the birds and sounds they hear. Seeing and hearing the birds can spark interest in writing about them, and although most kids do not enjoy haikus, maybe the same beautiful birds that inspired the author will inspire them as well.
I reviewed this book for my poetry class at Texas Woman's University.
www.laurathebookworm.blogspot.com

[Logan Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Reaction:
It is statistically proven that a majority of children do not favor poetry in haiku form, but instead prefer humorous poetry that they can relate to. This being said, I believe this is an outstanding resource for older children who are in 4th or 5th grade classes. The book is written in haiku form that goes into detail about several different types of birds as the seasons go on. The illustrations are done beautifully by watercolor paint, which really adds meaning and interest in the story.

Purpose:
Since the book is written in haiku form, there is a rhythm composed of 5-7-5 syllables. The poems in this book do not rhyme though. The purpose of the book however, is to teach children how to write in haiku format by observing the author write about something that interests him, being birds. The poems also create many sensory images in the mind of the reader such as sight, sound, and even touch. The author does a great job at making the reader feel as if they are there during that season experiencing the temperature of the season while observing the variety of birds. This is a book that would be a great addition in a older classroom for learning about how to write haikus.