Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku

by Lee Wardlaw

illustrated by Eugene Yelchin

image by Barnes & Noble

Wardlaw, Lee. Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku. Ill. Eugene Yelchin. New York: henry Holt, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-8050-8995-0.

Poetic Elements

The author utilizes a form of poetry akin to haiku as well as a narrator to tell readers the playful story of a shelter cat named Won Ton in this delightful book. He wrote a series of thirty senryu poems, which focus on the foibles of human (or in this case…cat) nature (see author’s note). Wardlaw weaves humor and elements of alliteration and personification, along with authentic feline characteristics when describing Won Ton’s journey from the shelter to a bonafide home and loving owner.  “Nice place they got here. / Bed. / Bowl. / Blankie. / Just like home! / Or so I’ve been told.” In competing for his new owner’s attention, the cat says, “Hel-looo. I’m waiting. / Put down that pesky pencil / and fetch the catnip.” Although the cat was skeptical of the owner and visa versa, in the end they both learn to trust one another, “Eavesdropping, I hear: / “My Cat.” Great Rats! Don’t you know / yet that you’re My Boy?” The use of a simile sums it up, “Your tummy, soft as / warm dough. I knead and knead, then / bake it with a nap.”

Appeal

Although Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku is a picture poetry book and geared toward younger students, readers of all ages and especially cat lovers will enjoy it. Actually, animal lovers in general will enjoy the personality Wardlaw gives Won Ton (aka Haiku) as shown in the closing senryu poem, “Good night, Won Ton,” you / whisper. Boy, it’s time you knew: / My name is Haiku.

Overall Quality

The following list of numerous awards this book has earned is evidence of its overall quality, even earning an audiobook category award:

2013 AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award Winner

2012 NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Book in the English Language Arts

2012 Myra Cohn Livingston Poetry Award

2012 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award

2012 CCBC Best Children's Books of the Year

2012 ALSC Notable Children's Books

2012 Librarians' Choices List

2011 SLJ Best Books of the Year

2011 Washington Post Best Books of the Year

The Poet

Lee Wardlaw, who grew up in Santa Barbara, CA, and wrote her first book in second grade, says adopting three cats from the local animal shelter inspired her to write this book. She presently lives in Santa Barbara with her husband, Craig Jaffurs; her teenage son, Patterson; and their three former shelter cats: Koloa, Papaya and Mai Tai. She graduated with honors from Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, with a B.A. in education and taught for five years before deciding to write full-time. She is an active member of numerous writer’s associations, even the Cat Writers’ Association!

Russian-born artist Eugene Yelchin graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Theater Arts and after arriving in Boston his stage designs were mistook for editorial illustrations, resulting in a job illustrating for the Boston Globe. When one of his first pictures was reprinted in Graphis Annual of Illustration, Yelchin became a full-time illustrator. Since then, his art has appeared in magazines and newspapers and advertising campaigns. He even designed the original polar bears for Coca Cola. In 2006 at the SCBWI conference in New York, Yelchin received the Tomie DePaola illustration award. Today, Yelchin lives in Topanga, CA, with his wife, Mary Kuryla, an accomplished writer, and their two children, Isaac and Ezra.

Layout

An author’s note is included in the book in which Wardlaw explains the art of senryu, a form of Japanese poetry developed from and similar to haiku. Yelchin’s illustrations are done in graphite and gouache on watercolor paper, perfectly depicting the characteristic traits of a feisty, playful cat. The graphic elements of wrapped and woven text along with illustrations stretched across the pages make the book perfect for sharing. Yelchin’s comical illustrations complement Wardlaw’s humor nicely.

Spotlight Poem

Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku

by Lee Wardlaw

illustrated by Eugene Yelchin

Gypsy on my left.

Pumpkin, my right. Together,

We are all alone.

Visiting hours!

Yawn. I pretend not to care

Yet—I sneak a peek.

No rush. I’ve got plans.

Gnaw this paw. Nip that flea. And

Wish: Please, Boy, pick me.

Poetry Break

Introduction: Introduce this poem by displaying a picture of cats and dogs available for adoption at the local animal shelter.

Extension Activity: After reading the book, let students go online and pick out a pet they would like to adopt if given the opportunity. Then, have them write a senryu poem from that animal’s perspective, reflecting the personality they perceive the animal to have.