Won Ton A Cat Tale Told in Haiku

Won Ton

A Cat Tale Told in Haiku

By Lee Wardlaw

Cover image retrieved 4/15/13 from

http://leewardlaw.com/Won-Ton-A-Cat-Tale-Told-in-Haiku.htm

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