Don’t Step on the Sky, A Handful of Haiku,
by Miriam Chaikin
Published by Henry Holt and Company, ISBN 0-8050-6474-5, $16.95 US

Chaikin gives us twenty-nine delightful haiku expressing the world through the curious eyes of a little girl who is accompanied by her beloved cat. Through hill and dale, country and city, night and day and rain and sun, readers learn that the inspiration to write haiku is everywhere if we just pause a moment to enjoy the world around us. Nakata’s whimsical illustrations abound with tiny creatures encouraging us once again to stay awhile discovering every nuance.

Basho and the Fox,
by Tim Myers
Published by Marshall Cavendish, ISBN 0-7614-5068-8, $15.95 US

Myers creates a gentle tale about Basho, a haiku master who lived in Japan in the 1600’s, and a fox who deems himself a great poet and critic. Lavishly illustrated in rich welcoming tones by Han, the story becomes a test of wits as Basho is challenged by the fox to write one good haiku in exchange for a meal of sweet cherries. Ultimately everyone wins and we learn a little lesson about pride.

If you are interested in having your haiku book for children considered for a review for Two Dragonflies, please submit one copy of your book, a jpeg file of the cover art and a #10 self-addressed stamped envelope for review notification to the address below. Books must be suitable for children otherwise they will not be reviewed. Review staff reserves the right to decline reviewing any book submitted. Review notifications will be sent out within six to twelve months. Books selected for review will appear on the website within six to twelve months. Books submitted will not be returned.

Two Dragonflies Book Review
P.O. Box 13367
New Orleans, LA 70185-3367