Chaikin (Clouds of Glory, 1998, etc.) defines haiku in traditional form in her introduction and goes on to say that today haiku does not always follow that three-line, seventeen-syllable model. “On the first line, five / On the second line, seven / On the third, five more.” These mostly vivid and utterly accessible haiku are full of images young people will recognize. “A cardinal in the yard. / My heart stops. / A red secret.” “The cat sits on her haunches, / watching the street. / How like an eggplant!” The title poem refers to reflection: “After the rain / a puddle. / Careful. Don’t step on the sky.” Cityscapes and time at the beach, rivers, ponds, boats, and night lights—all are summoned in the poetry spoken by a round-headed, button-eyed little girl. Nakata’s (What Kind of Kiss?, 2001, etc.) ink-and-watercolors cheerfully reflect the haiku, with an economy of image and use of negative space. A profusion of flowers, insects, and other small creatures, and a ginger cat soften the friendly landscape further. A nice companion to Matthew Golub’s fabulous Cool Melons—Turn to Frogs! (1998). (Poetry. 6-10)
