Spring: A Haiku Story

by George Shannon (Editor), Malcah Zeldis (Illustrator)

A collection of haiku verses which describe the wonders of spring.

Haiku by Issa, Shumpa, Teitoku, Bashō, and others, ordered "to suggest the story of an early spring walk."

Forward and bibliography included.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

George Shannon is a popular storyteller and former children's librarian whose many notable picture books include Tomorrow's Alphabet, Lizard's Guest, and White Is for Blueberry. Tippy-Toe Chick, Go!, illustrated by Laura Dronzek, was named a Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book. George Shannon lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Reviews

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Green frog!
Have you just been
newly painted?

—Ryūnosuke
(translated by R.H. Blyth)

*

Above the meadow
a skylark, singing, flies high,
high into silence.

—Chiyo
(translated by Harry Behn)

*

Going back home
By a different path –
These violets!

—Bakusui
(translated by R.H. Blyth)

The book cover is visually questionable... but the content is remarkably beautiful.

June 7, 2020

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to my elementary school kids where I work. I loved the poem selections and the illustrations, but I think the content is more appropriate for older elementary students. (My students were in 1st-3rd grades, and some of the words were a little advanced.) Overall, I love the book and recommend it!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Shannon says in his forward, the illustrations are "vibrant, fresh, immediate" but, to my taste, just a bit too much for early spring (they speak of July to me). But they are definitely appealing in their own way. The verses are, of course, lovely & sharp.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great story for anyone talking about different cultures. It is a collection of haikus about springtime. The story is very short, but the images are colorful and it is great for learning more about the world.