I Haiku You

K-Gr 3—This sweetly simple book focuses on love and the smaller joys in life. Twenty haiku in the 5 syllable/7 syallable/5 syllable format depict scenes of happiness and childhood friendship as seen through shared activities such as flying a kite, coloring together, and making a snow angel. The selections are sparkling-"your everyday song,/my favorite alarm clock-/good morning to you!"-but Snyder's cheerful watercolor illustrations, which add a touch of gentle whimsy and complement the themes of the poems, are the best part of the reading experience. While the book seems well suited as a gift to a young loved one (a prominent and bright "This book is especially for __" precedes the first poem), it would make a quietly compelling addition to any poetry collection.—Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY