Basho and the Fox

Basho and the fox by Tim Myers is about a long time ago when a great named Basho lived in Fukazawa, Japan. He ate food, slept and wrote his poems. One day when he went to eat from a cherry tree he saw a fox climb down from it. The fox said to Basho that he must be the great poet. The fox said "The best human poems were whispered to people in their sleep by foxes." Basho never knew that foxes were very good poets. Basho said "wait!" and told him he was the great poet. The fox said if Basho writes a good haiku for the foxes by next full moon the foxes will let him have the cherry tree. Basho thought and thought and searched and searched to find a good haiku but he can't find a one that he liked. Then, he found one that he thought was good. By the time he saw a full moon in the sky he went to read his poem to the fox. Basho read, "With scent of plums on the mountain road suddenly sunrise comes." But the fox didn't like it. The fox told Basho meet me by next full moon, will you?" So Basho looked and looked for another haiku. When full moon came again he went and read it to the fox, "an old pond, a frog jumps in the sound of the water." The fox said, "Kids can do better than that." By the next full moon Basho couldn't come up with a haiku. So he did one in his head. He told it to the fox, "Summer moons over mountains are white as the tip of a fox's tail." The fox loved it very much. The fox said, "Now you can have the tree." Why did you like this one?" Basho asked. "It has a fox in it," the fox replied. So Basho got to have the cherry tree. The theme of the book Basho and the fox is never to give up and always try your best. The time the fox didn't like his haiku he didn't give up. After that he still tried his best to write a great haiku for the fox. He tried very very hard to find a poem for the fox. He even stayed up all night. Finally at the end he was successful because he never gave up. I think this book is a great book because is shows people never to give up. The lesson I learned from this book is never to give up and try your best ever if you are taking a test or if you are at P.E.. Always try your best. By Semere

I bought this book yesterday for my two daughters, both toddlers, and I'm absolutely in love with it. The storytelling and descriptions are minimalist, as is appropriate for a book about a haiku poet. Han's beautiful illustrations compliment the story well. But first and foremost, I loved the characterization of the kitsune. It comes across as quite a haughty creature in the beginning, telling Basho that the kitsune are far better poets than humans could ever be. But in the end, when Basho finally comes up with a poem that the kitsune enjoys, the reader finds out just how hilariously self- absorbed the kitsune can be. There are small references to the kitsune's family, which I appreciated, since kitsune in Japanese folklore are always concerned, first and foremost, with their families. Another thing I love about this book is that there isn't too much text on each page. As a mother of toddlers, I often find it difficult to keep their interest when a book has too many words on a page; they like to keep the pages turning quickly. I think this will be a wonderful introduction to haiku for them, as well as an interesting glimpse into the mysterious world of the kitsune. Next on my list to buy is Myers' _Tanuki's Gift_.

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!

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.

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.