CLIMBING THE VOLCANO: A JOURNEY IN HAIKU, by Curtis Manley and Jennifer K. Mann, Neal Porter Books, Jan. 9, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)
A boy narrates his family’s hike to the peak of Oregon’s South Sister volcano in Climbing the Volcano: A Journey in Haiku, by Curtis Manley and Jennifer K. Mann.
“dormant volcano—
but at sunrise each day
it blazes”
For centuries, haiku has offered meditation on the grace and majesty of nature. In Climbing the Volcano, old meets new as a young protagonist uses the poetic form to voice his wonder. Treking uphill, the family encounters tiny toads, colorful butterflies, soaring birds of prey, and so much more to see, do, and feel.
Climbing the Volcano is a call to adventure in the natural world, and an introduction to poetic forms. Young readers will be inspired to summit their own peaks and to find their own voices to share what they discover there. Whether you live in the shadow of a volcano, amid sprawling flatlands, or anywhere in between, Climbing the Volcano invites readers to get out there and explore. —Synopsis provided by Neal Porter Books
Climbing the Volcano is lovely a collection of moments. Snapshots of different places along the way, much like the photographs a child would take if handed a camera. Melting drifts, bobcat pawprints, tiny toads and ravens. It’s all there.
Curtis Manley’s haikus give readers room to breath as they follow this Pacific Northwest trail. They leave room for imagination as to where their next adventure should be.
Jennifer K. Mann’s mixed media artwork, featuring printmaking, pencil drawing, digital collage and digital paint, sets the tone. She captures this new world with childlike wonder and excitement.
Excellent backmatter offers more detailed information about the South Sister volcano; geology of the Cascades; what to bring to climb a mountain; a little bit about haiku; and living things mentioned in the book.
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