Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems) [Hardcover]

Linda Sue Park (Author), Istvan Banyai (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2007 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

A sijo, a traditional Korean verse form, has a fixed number of stressed syllables and a humorous or ironic twist at the end. Like haiku, sijo are brief and accessible, and the witty last line winds up each poem with a surprise. The verses in this book illuminate funny, unexpected, amazing aspects of the everyday--of breakfast, thunder and lightning, houseplants, tennis, freshly laundered socks. Carefully crafted and deceptively simple, Linda Sue Park's sijo are a pleasure to read and an irresistible invitation to experiment with an unfamiliar poetic form. Istvan Banyai's irrepressibly giddy and sophisticated illustrations add a one-of-a-kind luster to a book that is truly a gem.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fresh and collegial, this offering stands out." Kirkus Reviews, Starred

Banyai's illustrations enhance the collection with an extra element of wit and imaginative freedom.
Horn Book

Park wants readers to try sijo for themselves, and in an extensive author's note she offers history, advice and encouagement.
Publishers Weekly

A smart and appealing introduction to an overlooked poetic form.
School Library Journal, Starred

With this lighthearted collection of her own sijo, the form will take a flying leap into the consciousness of both children and teachers.
Booklist, ALA, Starred Review

About the Author

Linda Sue Park is the author of the Newbery Medal book A Single Shard, many other novels, several picture books, and most recently a book of poetry: Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems). She lives in Rochester, New York, with her family, and is now a devoted fan of the New York Mets. For more infromation visit www.lspark.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books; None edition (October 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618234837
• ISBN-13: 978-0618234837
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #702,101 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Linda Sue Park is the author of the Newbery Medal book A Single Shard, many other novels, several picture books, and most recently a book of poetry: Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems). She lives in Rochester, New York, with her family, and is now a devoted fan of the New York Mets. For more infromation visit www.lspark.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three Silly Chicks Review, January 17, 2008

By 

Three Silly Chicks "www.ThreeSillyChicks.com" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems) (Hardcover)

Yes, yes, we know we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but it's tough to gaze upon the whimsical dust jacket of TAP DANCING ON THE ROOF without feeling hopefully giddy about the pages inside. Happily for us and you and children of all ages, the poems within more than live up to the promise of that little red-dressed girl and her very large scissors.

As explained in the Author's Note (a gold mine of information and tips for readers, writers, and teachers alike), sijo is a form of Korean poetry with a fixed number of stressed syllables and a surprise joke or twist at the end. Poem after poem, Linda Sue Park serves up witty observations about everything from long division to bedtime snacks, with plenty of unexpected surprises along the way. Istvan Banyai's playful illustrations -- rendered mostly in gray tones with dashes of color here and there -- wisely complement the poems without ever overwhelming the text. It's the book equivalent of a hot fudge sundae with a cherry on top. Perfect!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book, December 15, 2009

By 

--- "positive adoptions" (GEORGIA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems) (Hardcover)

There is a great description for adults and older readers about how these poems are written (their construction and history as Korean poetry). I love reading the poems to my 4 yr old son. He understands the humor or some of them and laughs. My two year old loves the pictures and listens intently as well. A great book for them to grow old with and treasure as part of who they are as korean adoptees.