Won Ton
A Cat Tale Told in Haiku
By Lee Wardlaw
Cover image retrieved 4/15/13
from
Bibliography
Wardlaw, Lee, and
Eugene Yelchin. Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku. New York: Henry Holt, 2011.
ISBN 9780805089950
Critical
Analysis
Won Ton, the sly
Siamese Cat of this book’s title, will win over animal lovers in a heartbeat,
thanks to Lee Wardlaw’s clever construction of poetry that captures the
feline’s essence. Wardlaw uses a cousin of the haiku, the senryu, to draw a
character that is a typical cat- charming, ornery, lovable. In the author’s
note Wardlaw explains that the senryu “typically features three unrhymed lines
containing a maximum of seventeen syllables. … focusing on the foibles of human
nature in a humorous, playful, or ironic way.” This book accomplishes that
outline, though one must wonder why “haiku” is in the title when, in fact, it
is not technically the style of poetry that is featured.
In just a few short
lines, Mr. Wardlaw is able to take hold of the character of a cat who finds
himself in a shelter, then is fortunate to be adopted by a loving boy. The
words are well chosen, giving the reader a glimpse of the emotion and attitude
of the cat. Illustrations by Eugene Yelchin affirm the cat’s sly eyes and
feline temperament. Though the senryu are short, emotion is clearly
communicated. The reader is able to deduce the motives behind the cat’s
actions, without losing the light rhythm and deeper meaning. The poems flow
gently, progressing through the adoption stages.
Won Ton A Cat Tale Told in Haiku is an interesting, easy read. Even young
readers will interpret the story clearly. The clear, simple styling would be
easy for an emerging reader, while supporting language acquisition through
uncomplicated illustrations. The opportunity to experience metaphor and similes
in a simple way enhances language growth for all readers. It is a sweet book that
would be welcome in any library.
Gillian Engberg
(Booklist, Feb. 1, 2011 (Vol. 107, No. 11))
Starred Review*
Although the subtitle says haiku, as Wardlaw explains in her opening author’s
note, the poems that make up this picture-book celebration of the child-pet
bond are actually written in similarly structured senryu, a form that focuses
on personality and behavior instead of on the natural world, as haiku does. Yelchin’s
expressive graphite-and-gouache artwork nods to the poetic form’s roots with
echoes of Japanese woodblock prints and creates a lovable, believable character
in this wry, heartwarming title that’s sure to find wide acceptance in the
classroom and beyond.
CCBC (Cooperative
Children’s Book Center Choices, 2012)
Won Ton? How can I / be
soup? Some day, I’ll tell you / my real name. Maybe.” A cat given the
undignified name Won Ton after he is adopted begins his narrative by describing
life at the shelter before he is chosen by a boy and adapts to life in his new
home. Lee Wardlaw’s cleverly told story is written as a series of haiku divided
into sections that mark the animal’s progress.
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews,
January 1, 2011 (Vol. 79, No. 1))
In 33 senryu (Japanese
poetry similar to and derived from haiku but focusing on human—or, here,
feline—foibles instead of nature), Wardlaw relates the tale of a grey shelter
cat. Perfect pussycat poetry for anyone who has ever loved a shelter cat.
Book
Awards
Myra Cohn Livingston
Award for Poetry, 2012 Winner United States
Best
Book Lists
Best Children’s Books
of the Year, 2012 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Booklist Book Review
Stars , Feb. 1, 2011 ; American Library Association; United States
Choices, 2012 ;
Cooperative Children’s Book Center; United States
Kirkus Book Review
Stars, January 1, 2011 ; United States
Notable Children’s
Books, 2012 ; ALSC American Library Association; United States
Notable Children’s
Books in the Language Arts, 2012 ; NCTE Children’s Literature Assembly; United
States
School Library Journal
Best Books, 2011 ; United States
School Library Journal
Book Review Stars, February 2011 ; Cahners; United States
Washington Post Best
Kid’s Books, 2011 ; The Washington Post; United States
Poetry
Break!
Spotlight
Poem
Deep, dark bed cave. Me?
Hiding? I’m no scaredy-cat!
I like dust bunnies!
Learning
Extensions
Introduction: invite
students to close their eyes and imagine this scene as it is read aloud.
Extensions:
·
Ask
students what they pictured as they heard to poem. Allow responses. Reread the
poem. Encourage students to expand their descriptions of what they believe is
taking place.
·
Select a
volunteer reader to recite this poem for the group, using strong inflections.
Then ask if anyone else could read it with a different emotional connection.
Students will discover that this can be read as timid, playful, excited,
afraid, sad/hurt feelings. Discuss with students how inflection and tone can
change the same words to convey different meanings.
·
Select a
volunteer reader to recite this poem for the group, using strong inflections.
Then ask if anyone else could read it with a different emotional connection.
Students will discover that this can be read as timid, playful, excited,
afraid, sad/hurt feelings. Discuss with students how inflection and tone can
change the same words to convey different meanings.
Other
Books by Lee Wardlaw
Author’s website: http://www.leewardlaw.com/
Red White and Boom
Won Ton A Cat Tale Told
in Haiku
Bo-wow Birthday
The Chair Where Bear
Sits
First Steps
Peek a Book
Punia and the King of
Sharks
Saturday Night Jamboree
The Tales of Granpa Cat
The Eye and I
The Ghoul Brothers
Me + Math = Headache
10 Ways to Bug Your
Parents
10 Ways to Bug your
Parents
101 Ways to Bug Your
Friends and Enemies
Operation Rhinoceros
Seventh Grade Weirdo
Tripping Over the Lunch
Lady
Alley Cat
Corey’s Fire
Don’t Look Back
See You in September
