At 11 my daughter has entered the golden age of children’s literature–middle grade fiction! We’ve read through Narnia numerous times, laughed and cried through Wonder, thrilled at the magical Prairie Thief, and delighted in stacks of picture books in between.
This year we’ve started sharing books not just as read-alouds, but also as read alongs. When she reads and enjoys a book, she passes it on to me. We are smack dab in the middle of the Wrinkle in Time Quintet. She is usually a whole book ahead of me, anxiously waiting for me to catch up.
The Big Wave
This spring we read The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck. This refreshing novel is much lighter than The Good Earth–less pessimistic, more hopeful. The story centers on a pair of boys who live in a Japanese coastal village. And, yes, a big wave figures prominently in the story! But that doesn’t ruin the suspense. The surprise comes in how the boys respond to the devastation.
Our Turn
The best children’s literature tends to offer a surprise—a turn of the plot early on that sets up something new to explore as the story continues to unfold.
Tanka poetry (much shorter than a story!) still manages to introduce a turn, which happens in the last two lines and leaves the reader with something surprising to explore.
This week, let’s really play with the tanka’s turn. Can you write a poem in 31 syllables that takes the reader in an unexpected direction?
And if this quick exploration of children’s literature leaves you wanting more, each second Friday Megan Willome hosts Children’s Book Club! Up next in June is The Day the Crayons Quit.
Featured Poem
Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s poetry prompt. Here’s a poem we enjoyed from Monica Sharman, based on the Shōin Room:
Translucent entrance.
Segmented golden art points:
see this space for you?
Alcove and tatami wait.
Outside, bare feet hesitate.
Photo by Martyn Fletcher, Creative Commons, via Flickr. Post by Kortney Garrison.
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Rick Maxson says
With sun comes the breeze,
from an evening far away,
and a single star
to this morning’s empty beach.
Hurry home to me, my love.
Kortney Garrison says
Really enjoying the way the images move and play in this tanka: the traveling breeze, the far away star, the empty home.
Laura Lynn Brown says
Bowls taken up, emptied, washed.
Litterbox cleaned and bagged.
Carrier tucked in closet.
Can of moist food still in fridge,
one serving gone.
L.L. Barkat says
So tenderly sad. Very sorry about this, Laura.
Kortney Garrison says
This tanka beautifully embodies how time has it’s way with us and those we love. Peace keep you, dear one.
Megan Willome says
Kortney, the only time I ever did any tanka was in fifth grade, as part of a big poetry unit, and I don’t think it was covered as thoroughly as you have been doing here. It’s the turn that was left out.
And thanks for the shout-out about the next Children’s Book Club. It’s a fun story with surprising depth on the subject of color.
Kortney Garrison says
The book is waiting for me at the library! Can’t wait to dive in!
Rick Maxson says
outside, a fine rain,
the air still with mourning
doves cooing, and I
recalling the distant train
that brought me here long ago.
Kortney Garrison says
I keep returning to this perfect line break: mourning/doves. It holds so much!
Katie says
Laura and Rick,
Thank you for sharing these lovely, poignant tanka!
Kortney Garrison says
Poignant was the exact word I was thinking of too, Katie!
Kortney Garrison says
All day long she hears
the old music, sees braided
futures in broth, turns
water, roots, and bones into
the bodies of her children.
Laura Lynn Brown says
That’s certainly a surprising turn!