WON TON AND CHOPSTICK

WON TON AND CHOPSTICK: A CAT AND DOG TALE TOLD IN HAIKU

by Lee Wardlaw

Illustrated by Eugene Yelchin

Image credit: www.leewardlaw.com

Bibliography

Wardlaw, Lee. 2015. Won Ton and Chopstick: A Cat and Dog Tale Told in Haiku. New York: Henry Holt and Company.  ISBN 9780805099874

Critical Analysis and Review

In this follow up to Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku, this charming picture book is a story told in haiku. Once again, Won Ton narrates the action in 5-7-5 syllables as she is faced with the trials of a new pet sibling. When Won Ton's owner gets a puppy, Chopstick, Won Ton must learn to share her home and her Boy's attention.  Just as Won Ton possesses all of the typical feline qualities, Chopstick is a mischief-making puppy.  They begin their relationship as enemies, in which Won Ton and Chopstick have an "altercation".  Later, Won Ton begins to adjust to the new pet, and then on a rainy day, Won Ton finds some common ground with the puppy.  Will they ever find a way to get along?

Eugene Yelchin's simple illustrations are appealing and add depth to the poetry.  Using graphite and gouache, Yelchin's color palette is soft, but engaging. His illustrations animate Won Ton and Chopstick using their eyes, facial expressions, and body movement.  Won Ton appears angular and stiff lurking through the pages, whereas Chopstick is squishy and pudgy. This contrast mirrors their characterization. 

In the Author's Note, Wardlaw explains that this book is actually written in senryu which is a form of Japanese poetry similar to haiku.  However, in senryu, "the foibles of human nature ...are the focus, expressed by the narrator in a humorous, playful, or ironic way." Won Ton's words are consistently playful in each poem, including the use of her favorite expletive, "Great Rats!" Wardlaw utilizes italics, capital letters, and creative spacing to create emphasis like in the line "Breaking news: YOU SNORE."  Even with "a maximum of seventeen syllables," Wardlaw is able to convey humor, sarcasm, and irony throughout the text.  This book would appeal to children that have ever experienced sibling rivalry or those that are cat or dog lovers.

Spotlight Poem

The Surprise

by Lee Wardlaw

Ears perk. Fur prickles.

Belly low, I creep . . . peek . . . FREEZE!

My eyes full of Doom.

This haiku is a favorite as it describes the moment Won Ton lays eyes on her new nemesis.  Won Ton's "sneaking suspicion" was correct that there is now a dog in her home.  Even with the brevity of the text, this poem creates a clear image of Won Ton's dissatisfaction in her first glimpse of Chopstick. 

After reading the entire story Won Ton and Chopstick: A Cat and Dog Tale Told in Haiku, I would have students discuss Won Ton's attitude in "The Surprise" to her new persona by the end of the story.  We would reread "The Surprise" and contrast her actions to her different approach in "Harmony" in which she finally lets her guard down and asserts that "Some parts of woof I / will never understand. But / practice makes purrfect." Interested teachers and librarians can find more lesson resources for this book on Lee Wardlaw's website.