Basho and the Fox (Hardcover)

~ Tim J. Myers (Author), Oki S. Han (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this imaginative, tightly woven tale starring Basho (the 17th-century Japanese poet), Myers cleverly places the renowned poet's own words at its heart. When Basho discovers a kimono-clad fox feasting on the fruit of his favorite cherry tree, he attempts to chase away the animal, who holds his ground. The seemingly sly fox strikes a deal with Basho: he and his fellow foxes will allow the poet to have the tree's entire yield only if he can write "one good haiku" (they grant him three chances). The poet's first two attempts don't cut it (ironically, the second is Basho's most celebrated haiku: "An old pond. A frog jumps in. The sound of water"). The third, written impulsively as the deadline draws near, satisfies the vain creature because the poem mentions a fox. Delivered with a light touch, in a lyrical narrative befitting its poetic hero, Myers's cunning caper offers a sage lesson: "From that day forward, Basho understood that a poem should be written for its own sake." Han's (Kongi and Potgi) elegant, expressive watercolors capture the changing seasons and the setting's natural beauty as gracefully as classic Japanese silkscreen. Ages 5-8. (Sept.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Living as a hermit, the Japanese poet Basho often goes to the banks of a river where he sits under a wild cherry tree enjoying its sweet late-summer cherries. One day, he finds a fox eating the delicious fruit, and when he tries to chase it away, it quickly identifies Basho and boasts of the poetic abilities of foxes. A bargain is made: if Basho can write a fine haiku, all of the cherries are his. The poet works all winter, but the fox has scant praise for the first two poems, one of which is Basho's most-famous haiku. With his confidence shaken, he approaches the third meeting without a suitable offering. He quickly composes a haiku to avoid embarrassment, and to his surprise, the animal is pleased. Why? Because it mentions the fox! This lively tale has good pacing, convincing characters, and a clever ending. Done in watercolor, the double-page illustrations give viewers a sense of both the outdoor world and the interior of Basho's small house. However, when separate paintings occur on facing pages, they sometimes seem at odds with one another, and though the dark palette suits the pace and subject of the book, it occasionally results in a certain murkiness. The author is careful to say that this is his own tale about Basho; a wise librarian might also want to use Dawnine Spivak's Grass Sandals: The Travels of Basho (Atheneum, 1997) to introduce the poet to this audience.
Barbara Scotto, Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, MA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children's Books (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761450688
• ISBN-13: 978-0761450689
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #903,980 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, October 27, 2000

By A Customer

I heard about this book one morning on NPR and I placed an order immediately, even though it wasn't going into print for another six weeks. When it arrived last week, I and my two-year-old son read it together. When we finished, he said, "Again." He was delighted by the sound of the word "Basho" and the simple, beautiful paintings of the fox, the moon, the frog, the forest, and the cherry tree. I enjoyed the haiku and the lesson Myers' shares through Basho's thoughts and actions. Even though the book is recommended for 4-8 year olds, I ordered copies for my friends with toddlers. It's a wonderful children's book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Basho would have loved it, November 17, 2000

By	Jennifer - See all my reviews

What greater honor to the great poet himself than to write such an imaginative, witty, well-wrought book, and what better way to introduce a young child to the joy of haiku? I can think of none. This book embodies everything I look for in children's literature, from its playful premise, engaging story line and evocative illustrations, to the valuable lesson it imparts. If I could, I would give Basho and the Fox a 6-star rating.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My four-year-old son loves this book!, January 16, 2002

By	Elisabeth Croddy (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews

What a beautifully illustrated, powerfully written book! I was so surprised that my wildly energetic little boy (who does love books) wanted to read this book again and again. I love how the author teaches some Japanese words and how the pictures capture the essence of Japanese life in a simpler era. And I'm always thrilled when a children's book incorporates authentic, adult-level literature (the three haiku used would delight readers of any age.) The best picture is that of Basho's house and the cherry tree and the forest and the river from a bird's eye view, like a map, or rather, like all maps should be!