Stone Bench In An Empty Park [Hardcover]

Paul Janeczko (Author), Henri Silberman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000 | Age Level: 9 and up

An anthology of haiku accompanied by photographs reflects nature in the city.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4 Up-For decades, 17-syllable, 3-line Japanese haiku has grown in popularity in America. Janeczko expands its traditional subjects and themes beyond nature and the seasons to encompass the city and its own wonderful scenes. As a result, 20 contributors to this well-designed book looked carefully at city streets, people, and activities to produce enormously appealing selections. Stickball, hard hats, screeching trash trucks, swings, and car washes all are celebrated with powerful and sometimes surprising imagery. High-quality, black-and-white photographs capture the cityscapes consisting of cranes, heaped garbage cans, and assorted scenes that reflect the themes of the haiku. For Silberman, starting with the written poems was a new challenge. "Instead of letting my surroundings guide the subjects of my photographs," he writes in a brief note, "I let the haiku guide me." The design of this small book is balanced and uncluttered, generally featuring one haiku with an accompanying photograph on each page. Students and teachers alike will be drawn to this book again and again.
Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Here is an iconoclastic haiku collection that breaks many traditional "rules," as compiler Janeczko admits in his introduction. The poems, written by Nikki Grimes, J. Patrick Lewis, Issa, and less familiar names, do not always follow the standard haiku pattern, yet all follow the spirit of the form. Instead of customary bucolic reflections, the selections reflect urban sights, sounds, and moments. Henri Silberman's black-and-white photographs are stunning. Some of them mirror the poetry so closely, they could have been the poet's inspiration. Wild geese soar above a chimney while the opposite page shows a roof top reflected in a puddle; the sharp angles of a car's tail fin contrast with the soft curves of a cat on an opposite page. This elegant verbal and visual gallery will provoke thought and stimulate creativity as it introduces urban charms to rural children and inspires city kids to recognize natural beauty in their neighborhoods. Linda Perkins

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531302598
• ISBN-13: 978-0531302590
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #721,293 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful, Touching book, May 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Stone Bench In An Empty Park (Hardcover)

"Ice-cream wrappers bloom

In overflowing baskets

Summer in the Park"

Jane Yolen

This is a "haiku" from the book. Each poem is matched with a memorable picture of the city. The pictures are of everyday scenes and the haiku are easy to read, yet the effect is haunting. Although the book is only 40 pages long, a person could spend hours reading and looking at the pictures.

Children and parents and teachers will read this book over and over.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haiku becomes new, September 11, 2000

By 

Dr. R. W. Barber (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stone Bench In An Empty Park (Hardcover)

Words on paper glow Photographs illumine new worlds Haiku becomes real.

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, October 6, 2010

By 

Andrea Nicole Young - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stone Bench In An Empty Park (Hardcover)

I just read this book to three of my children, ages 7, 5, and 3, and we all loved it. The children were riveted by the pictures and we had lots of fun discussing things like in what ways giraffes are like cranes. My children loved the pictures--especially the butterfly on the bike. It was a charming, memorable read and we'll enjoy revisiting this book often.