One Leaf Rides the Wind: Counting in a Japanese Garden

Mannis, Celeste Davidson

ISBN 10: 0756952131 ISBN 13: 9780756952136

Publisher: Turtleback Books, 2005

Synopsis

A Japanese garden is the exotic setting for this Parents' Choice Award-winning counting book that introduces young readers to gardens and haikus through ten simple, straightforward poems. Full color.

About this title

Review:

A useful introduction to the haiku form...a series of meditative images. (Publishers Weekly)

...the elements of this work. . . meld together into a lovely whole that both entertains. . . and educates. (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

A useful introduction to the haiku form...a series of meditative images. (Publishers Weekly)

From the Author:

I've been fascinated by world cultures and history since childhood. My brother and I would spin our globe, close our eyes and pick places to visit. Then we'd pore over atlases and history books and explore the destinations we'd discovered. Over time I've been able to travel broadly, first as a student and then for business and pleasure. The more I travel the more I appreciate the splendid differences and surprising parallels between different cultures and historical eras. I explore cultural and historical themes in my writing in order to instill in children a sense of their unique place in the greater world community.

One Leaf Rides the Wind was inspired by a visit to a Japanese garden on a family vacation. My children were enchanted by the peaceful, reflective nature of the garden and spent hours counting koi fish and feeding them crumbs. I was thrilled that such a simple pastime could be so utterly absorbing --no batteries required!

A long time student of Eastern art and culture, I eagerly plunged into research for a children's book on Japanese gardens. From the start I knew it would be a counting book, and in fact, the working title was "Counting Koi" in honor of my daughters' fascination with those delightful creatures. The challenge and joy of it was finding a new way to format information for the picture book genre that would inform and entertain both children and parents. Haiku, with it's Japanese origins and rigorous syllable counts, seemed an appropriate alternative to more traditional, Western forms of verse. The supplementary text at the bottom of each spread was a good way to present more sophisticated bits of information without hindering the flow of verse as it's read to youngsters. I thoroughly enjoyed writing this book and hope the reading of it is a pleasure for you and your children!

About this edition

• Publisher: Turtleback Books
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0756952131
• ISBN 13: 9780756952136
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Hartung Susan Kathleen