In the Eyes of the Cat: Japanese Poetry For All Seasons [Paperback]

Demi (Compiler, Illustrator), Tze-Si Huang (Translator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Kittens and sea slugs, ducklings and frogs, fawns and mud snails-- all sorts of animals from the familiar to the unusual can be found in this beautiful and engaging collection of Japanese poetry.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"In the eyes of the cat," the haiku explains, one can observe the sea's color "on a sunny day / in winter." Thus young readers are introduced to the delicate complexities of Japanese nature poetry. Compressed and imagistic, the 77 adaptations of traditional poems leave the impression of startling quiet. Arranged according to season, the verses interact to achieve a shifting tone. The translation is appropriately spare--"The sun is setting / On the tail / Of the copper pheasant"--and sometimes, serendipitously, the text rhymes--"How visibly / The gentle morning airs / Stir in the caterpillar's / Silky hairs." The horizontal format of the small book allows room for a verse and illustrations on each page. The paintings' strength lies in their rich contrasts of color, such as the opulent red poppy against an ultramarine sky. Demi, whose most recent book was Chingis Khan , incorporates elements of classical Japanese painting in her work, which abounds with finely crafted figures of puppies, cats and monkeys, surrounded by pools of negative space. Ages 6-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-- A collection of 77 new translations of Japanese haiku and tanka, illustrated in Demi's familiar ornate style . Each poem features a living creature in a simple vignette, some more startling than others. A wide selection of poets are represented, including the frequently anthologized Busho and Issa. The translations seem logical except one poem about a kingfisher by Tori, which appears in a more pleasing form in Richard Lewis's The Moment of Wonder (Dial, 1964; o.p.). The seasonal organization is a natural one; the size of the book and the pacing of the short selections will be attractive to primary graders. Subtle differences prevent the illustrations from becoming monotonous. The colors vary from pastels to primaries to dark wash nighttime scenes highlighted by splashes of color or white. The illustrations often evoke styles of Asian art. The pastel colors tend to be cloying, and sometimes the ornateness does not match the sparse simplicity of the poem. Some might find the pictures portraying baby animals too cute. There are a few pictures that look clumsy, and not all page layouts are balanced, but the overall effect is attractive. The bright colors and diverse animals, along with the simple language and clear imagery of the writing, will attract young readers and perhaps instill in them a desire to explore poetry further. --Annette Curtis Klause, Montgomery County Department of Public Libraries, MD
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (March 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805033831
• ISBN-13: 978-0805033830
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #613,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and now lives in Yarrow Point, Washington. Demi is the author and illustrator of more than one hundred children's books, including picture-book biographies. Her work has received numerous awards and accolades.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Poetry for All Seasons, April 19, 2000

By 

"libraryeve" - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Eyes of the Cat: Japanese Poetry for All Seasons (School & Library Binding)

This is one of the most beautiful books of poetry I've ever read, and I've read a lot of poetry collections working in an elementary school library. Children of all ages appreciate these poems, many of them haiku, by Japanese masters of the art of brief imagery. If your kids think poetry isn't really poetry unless it rhymes, share this book with them. Demi's incredibly lovely paintings enhance the beauty and idea of each poem. This sweet book inspires kids to try writing their own poetry.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Attractive presentation, September 29, 2010

By 

Reflection Haiku "Lily Wang, Author" (California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Eyes of the Cat: Japanese Poetry For All Seasons (Paperback)

IN THE EYES OF THE CAT, one will see a vibrant small-sized volume of 77 haiku poetry collection, written by classical Japanese masters including Basho and Issa and illustrated by the distinguished artist, Demi, author the highly-acclaimed EMPTY POT. Though I have this book for a while, I am waiting to share it with my children when they are older for some haiku may be too abstract. But the other day, my kid picked this book up from his school library and was excited to show it to me. I was very delighted so I asked why and what he likes about this book. He answered that "because it has cute cats with different expressions; it also has detailed pictures about many other animals like horses, ants etc., under different weather and also this book teaches me something about something." This something is the image or feeling that haiku evoked in the mind of the readers about the beauty of season, nature, and all lives. This book will be very attractive to young readers for all these elements present.

The Empty Pot