PICTURE BOOKS

A Pond, a Poet, and Three Pests

by Caroline Adderson (text) & illus. by Lauren Tamaki
Groundwood. Oct. 2025. 36p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781773068930. K-Gr 3
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K-Gr 3–Tamaki captures the serenity of a Japanese garden, a quiet poet and others’ need for fame. A famous Japanese poet named Basho sits by a pond, meditating. A beautiful carp dazzles and twirls in the water wanting to get Basho’s attention. “Look at me!” the fish begs. “Write about me,” but Basho ignores the fish. Next a gorgeous lily that blooms only for a day sees a way to make its existence immortal—if only the great poet Basho would write about them. So it goes, with a mosquito sees his chance at fame, but the poet ignores it. A happy frog decides to get in its evening swim and the poet writes his famous haiku about that very moment. Additional pages follow with careful information on Basho and haiku.
VERDICT This an excellent book to include in units on teaching poetry.
Reviewed by Pamela McLeod Thompson , Oct 01, 2025

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