Birds on a Wire
This portrait of a day in the life in an American village is told in the ancient poetic form known as a renga (meaning "linked verse") in which one poet writes a verse and another poet responds to that, then the first poet adds another verse and so on. Like a line of railroad cars, each verse links somehow with the one preceding it, but not with the others. This means that each new verse takes the story in a completely different direction as each poet comes up with a clever way to connect a new verse. BIRDS ON A WIRE is a random romp around town: join in!
Awards
- Included on the "Best New Books for the Classroom" annual list published by Booklist
- Best New Books for the Classroom —Book Links
- Parents' Choice Approved —Parents’ Choice Foundation
Reviews
"Lewis and Janeczko, both accomplished youth poets, prove just how compelling this form can be, switching voices gracefully and leaping from concrete imagery that works in concert with the artwork to verses that carry more abstract ideas that will fire imaginations. ... Mirroring the verse form, each of Lippincott’s two-page spreads offer visual clues as to what the next will hold as well as echoes of the previous one, linking the images together as a sort of meditative meander about a timeless town. ... This lovely picture book is an impeccable synthesis of text and image, each simultaneously playing off the other and themselves in a manner both insightful and visceral, that demands and rewards multiple readings, viewings, and contemplations."
—Booklist
Booklist awards J. Patrick Lewis' and Paul B. Janeczko's Birds on a Wire with a starred review in its August 1, 2008 issue:
"In the Japanese verse form called renga, a cousin to the haiku, two or more poets take turns, each playing off the previous verse so that the narrative is propelled in constantly new and surprising directions. ... This lovely picture book is an impeccable synthesis of text and image, each simultaneously playing off the other and themselves in a manner both insightful and visceral, that demands and rewards multiple readings, viewings, and contemplations."