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Poetry Adventures
If It Rains Pancakes: Haiku and Lantern Poems
What is a haiku? It sounds like a sneeze. And isn't a lantern a light source? Actually, they are two types of ancient Japanese poetry. Award-winning author Brian P. Cleary explains how each form works―and shows how these little poems can contain big surprises!
If It Rains Pancakes is packed with poems to make you chuckle, puzzle, and ponder. And when you’ve finished reading, you can try your hand at writing your own haiku and lanterns!
If It Rains Pancakes is packed with poems to make you chuckle, puzzle, and ponder. And when you’ve finished reading, you can try your hand at writing your own haiku and lanterns!
32 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2014
9 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
March 12, 2014
I'm a fan of Brian P. Cleary and this is another winner.
After a brief description of how to write haiku and lantern poems, Cleary provides oddles of examples using kid-friendly topics and eye-catching illustrations. These types of poems are simple enough for even the most reluctant writers. And if my boys don't pick up a pencil and start writing after reading "Yummy", I'll eat my dry erase marker. I do so love a book that inspires creative writing.
After a brief description of how to write haiku and lantern poems, Cleary provides oddles of examples using kid-friendly topics and eye-catching illustrations. These types of poems are simple enough for even the most reluctant writers. And if my boys don't pick up a pencil and start writing after reading "Yummy", I'll eat my dry erase marker. I do so love a book that inspires creative writing.
August 6, 2023
“If It Rains Pancakes” is a poetry book written for children, that includes both Haiku style and Lantern style poems. This book was intended for children ages 7-11years old. Throughout this book, it states the meaning of both Haiku poems and Lantern poems and includes many different example poems of each. I rated this book a 3 star because it is a good book to introduce students to the creativity in poems. The pictures are fun and silly and go with each poem and the text is not too long where children would lose interest. Each of the poems included child friendly topics like cats, homework, yummy food, and more. I didn’t give this book a 5 star because a lot of the poems didn’t quite make sense. I felt like they were just silly words put together showing how a haiku or lantern poem is supposed to be. I am a fan of the style and creative thinking behind it, but the ones in this book seem to lack any meaning. While working with children, I would use this book when introducing these styles and having the children create a short poem like these. Whether silly, meaningful or not, I would want to see how they put words together to match how the syllables in the poems are supposed to be, and observe their creativity with their words and what they are trying to say. This word be a fun creative writing experiment to try with 8-11 year olds.
August 13, 2023
If It Rains Pancakes: Haiku and Lantern Poems written by Brian P. Cleary and published in 2014. It is a part of the Poetry genre its target audience is 7- to 11-year-olds also second to 5th grade. If It Rains Pancakes: Haiku and Lantern Poems teach two types of Japanese poems which are Haiku and Lantern. A Haiku poem is a poetic form that consists of three lines, with Five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third. A lantern poem is a cinquain form of poetry, in which the first line has one syllable, and each subsequent line increases in length by one syllable, except for the last line that ends the poem. The illustrations are colorful and subtle but the words are the center stage in this book. I would use If It Rains Pancakes: Haiku and Lantern Poems in my classes to teach these two different types of poems because it breaks them down nicely. I give this book 5 stars because its very informative and it goes into great detail to teach poetry from a different culture. I think this is a vital lesson to expose students to.
June 17, 2023
If it Rains Pancakes is a book that teaches and gives examples of two types of Japanese poems: haikus and lantern poems. It starts by giving a short description of a haiku, then has several pages of examples. It then does the same for lantern poems. Each poem includes its own illustration, showing the subject of each poem.
I like the idea of this book a lot more than its execution. It provides a great opportunity for young readers to learn about two distinct types of poems, and does a great job of explaining the structure for each type, but the haikus and lantern poems themselves were pretty underwhelming. Instead of the structure of the poems leading to clarity in purpose and amplifying what the author has to say, far more often than not they get in the way of any sort of meaning or even just aesthetic pleasure. There was one lantern poem that I did quite enjoy:
Cat:
“Feed me.”
“Pet me too.”
“Feed me. Pet me.”
“Now.”
I like the idea of this book a lot more than its execution. It provides a great opportunity for young readers to learn about two distinct types of poems, and does a great job of explaining the structure for each type, but the haikus and lantern poems themselves were pretty underwhelming. Instead of the structure of the poems leading to clarity in purpose and amplifying what the author has to say, far more often than not they get in the way of any sort of meaning or even just aesthetic pleasure. There was one lantern poem that I did quite enjoy:
Cat:
“Feed me.”
“Pet me too.”
“Feed me. Pet me.”
“Now.”
June 5, 2017
This book is comprised of poems and also of Haiku-format poems, they are all about random things. But more specifically, the book teaches how to write these poems to young readers. The book is funny and insightful, in terms of how the poems can be written about anything as long as the rules of them are followed.
The media of the book is colored pencil and more importantly it appears to be very cleanly used to draw the art in all the pages. The art is sharply drawn which gives a feeling of care to the material being supported by the art.
While poetry is not something I like to read, the way this book shows how to write in the different formats and the different examples it shares is an easy task to read. I even thought of multiple topics I could write about in poem form, and this must be true for other readers, especially for younger readers. This book can be a supporting tool for teaching how to write simple poems in a 4th grade class. The poems used in this book alongside the instructions are an important tool for a teacher to have while doing lessons on poetry.
The media of the book is colored pencil and more importantly it appears to be very cleanly used to draw the art in all the pages. The art is sharply drawn which gives a feeling of care to the material being supported by the art.
While poetry is not something I like to read, the way this book shows how to write in the different formats and the different examples it shares is an easy task to read. I even thought of multiple topics I could write about in poem form, and this must be true for other readers, especially for younger readers. This book can be a supporting tool for teaching how to write simple poems in a 4th grade class. The poems used in this book alongside the instructions are an important tool for a teacher to have while doing lessons on poetry.
March 10, 2018
Cleary, Brian P. If It Rains Pancakes: Haiku and Lantern Poems. PICTURE BOOK. Lerner Publishing Group, 2014. $6.95.
What is a Haiku? What is a Lantern Poem? Readers are given the definition of each of these poems and then given multiple examples in this great book. “Watch Out: My pet pig, Betty, in her full karate stance, performs the “pork chop.” (Haiku). “Bed: pillows are twin clouds. Stretch, read, doze, sleep. Peace.” (Lantern Poem). In addition to fun poetry children will enjoy, the illustrations are detailed and inviting. This would be a great addition to a poetry unit.
EL (K-3). OPTIONAL. Reviewer: SL.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018/...
What is a Haiku? What is a Lantern Poem? Readers are given the definition of each of these poems and then given multiple examples in this great book. “Watch Out: My pet pig, Betty, in her full karate stance, performs the “pork chop.” (Haiku). “Bed: pillows are twin clouds. Stretch, read, doze, sleep. Peace.” (Lantern Poem). In addition to fun poetry children will enjoy, the illustrations are detailed and inviting. This would be a great addition to a poetry unit.
EL (K-3). OPTIONAL. Reviewer: SL.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018/...
December 6, 2019
I love this book! the illustrations, the cover art, the point of this book is so well-rounded and informative I'd have multiple copies of this book as a resource guide for children who are struggling with writing. I love that this book is a guide for Haikus and other forms of poetry, giving a more childlike, yet artistic approach to this form of writing style. Through the illustrations based on the poems themselves is gives students who have difficulty visualizing the meaning of the poems and hand, and can be used to teach students the joy of reading haikus. This but is perfect for upper elementary and can be used as a guide as an instructor who is teaching this in what students would like to read. The history of haikus can be taught as well as the basic structure of haikus to create one.
April 27, 2020
Genre: Poetry
Awards: 2016 Monarch Award Nominee
Audience: 7-11 years
Rating: 3/5
Summary: A collection of poems for children about nature, seasons, food, and animals. They are all different but help with the common learning of what these poem types are.
-The type of poetry in this collection is haiku and lantern because it is the purpose of this collection and the learning of what these two types are.
-There is no specific poetic element with this collection because it is a mixture of imagery and small stories to help children learn from the definition of haiku and lantern to be able to identify it through these poems. It shows friendly illustrations and children-likable concepts to learn about these poems.
Awards: 2016 Monarch Award Nominee
Audience: 7-11 years
Rating: 3/5
Summary: A collection of poems for children about nature, seasons, food, and animals. They are all different but help with the common learning of what these poem types are.
-The type of poetry in this collection is haiku and lantern because it is the purpose of this collection and the learning of what these two types are.
-There is no specific poetic element with this collection because it is a mixture of imagery and small stories to help children learn from the definition of haiku and lantern to be able to identify it through these poems. It shows friendly illustrations and children-likable concepts to learn about these poems.
June 22, 2020
I located this book while searching for award-winning children's poetry books. My search led me to Booksource, and I downloaded a digital version through my Teacher's Bookshare account. This book contains Haiku and Lantern poems. Award-winning author Brian P. Cleary explains how each form works and shows how these little poems can contain big surprises! The lyrics are written in a fun and expressive way for children in grades 2-5. This book could be used as a mentor text for a writing lesson for students to try to write their haiku and lantern poems. The book contains an outline with the rules for Haiku and Lantern poetry, which makes it easy to follow, and the illustrations add to the meaning of each poem.
October 25, 2019
grade:
Adorable little book, with lots of personification and it shows in the illustrations. The illustrations are quite creative and essentially shows the exact image you would create in your mind if you weren't looking at the pictures. Clearly, by the title you can tell that the book is includes dozens of haiku's and each one is titled something different. "watch out" "color me confused" "decisions""outdoor concert" I'm not sure there's an actual pattern or theme of the book, besides haiku poems, and the cover page is just the title and picture from one of the poems in the book. Very colorful and more modern book.
focus: poems- haiku and lantern poems
Adorable little book, with lots of personification and it shows in the illustrations. The illustrations are quite creative and essentially shows the exact image you would create in your mind if you weren't looking at the pictures. Clearly, by the title you can tell that the book is includes dozens of haiku's and each one is titled something different. "watch out" "color me confused" "decisions""outdoor concert" I'm not sure there's an actual pattern or theme of the book, besides haiku poems, and the cover page is just the title and picture from one of the poems in the book. Very colorful and more modern book.
focus: poems- haiku and lantern poems
March 10, 2021
This book is a great book for introducing poetry to students; it has several different examples of haiku poems and lantern poems. As well as the book has a whole page for each different poem type and explains what it is, how to build the poem in each form of poetry, and explains what these poems can be written about. The illustrations in the book are also very nicely colored, drawn, and relate to each poem example. This book can also be used when students need an example of a haiku or lantern structured poem; this book would enable the students to refer back to the in-text examples the book provides regarding the different poem structures.
April 7, 2021
This book would be a great asset to keep in the classroom. Not only does the book begin with teaching how to write a haiku and lantern poem, it then gives many examples of these poems that will keep children engaged and laughing. This book would be a great use for students in a lesson on haiku poems and be a reference for examples of how these poems are formatted. This book can also be used as a reference when students go to write their own poems to show that they can be as goofy or as serious as they would like them to be.
July 29, 2022
If It Rains Pancakes by Brian P. Cleary
Illustrated by Andy Rowland
Published by Millbrook Press on January 1, 2014
This is a wonderful poetry picture book which explains how to write a haiku and a lantern (another form of Japanese poetry). It incorporates a ton of different poems that seem random and fun. I really like how a lot of them are very playful and silly. It would encourage students to have fun with poetry and if it doesn’t make literary sense it’s okay. I love how poetry really lets you have freedom with words and this book really emphasizes that.
Illustrated by Andy Rowland
Published by Millbrook Press on January 1, 2014
This is a wonderful poetry picture book which explains how to write a haiku and a lantern (another form of Japanese poetry). It incorporates a ton of different poems that seem random and fun. I really like how a lot of them are very playful and silly. It would encourage students to have fun with poetry and if it doesn’t make literary sense it’s okay. I love how poetry really lets you have freedom with words and this book really emphasizes that.
May 15, 2017
It might do the job of showing reluctant kids that poetry doesn't have to be intimidating. If you call this poetry. They're actually pretty random sentences, shaped liked Haiku and Lantern poems. No resonance, no metaphor, no heart, no puns or satire or much of anything, really. Some rare bits of good sound like rhythm and alliteration but not enough.
The thing is, there are so very many better poems and anthologies available for kids. Why bother with this?
The thing is, there are so very many better poems and anthologies available for kids. Why bother with this?
June 13, 2017
With fun, kid-friendly topics like bubblegum, pizza, burps, and snow days from school, this book of poetry introduces young readers and writers to two forms of poetry: haiku and lantern poems. With simple text and humorous illustrations, this would be a terrific mentor text to help guide budding poets. The book includes a page of print and web resources for further guidance.
May 12, 2021
I have just discovered Brian Cleary and these poetry adventure books are fantastic as well as his Books are Categorical series. I'm torn between just borrowing them from the library, or buying them as reference points for my kids stuck in grammar. In any case, these are absolutely fantastic and engaging.
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June 23, 2021The opening line...“Haiku is a short, Japanese form of poetry that has been around for more than four hundred years. That’s much longer than your teacher or your parents have been alive.”
This book introduced 2 types of Japanese poetry styles; haiku and lantern poems. Brian P. Cleary explains how they each work. This story is packed full of humor and poems that make students ponder.
This book introduced 2 types of Japanese poetry styles; haiku and lantern poems. Brian P. Cleary explains how they each work. This story is packed full of humor and poems that make students ponder.
August 30, 2021
A fun and funny collection of poems.
Including an introduction to "What is Haiku?" and "What is Lantern?" sometimes spelled lanturne
a few of my favorites:
Reflection
Sunset on the lake--
like a brilliant yellow road
to a sinking ball.
The Mind
Memory is like
a room where tiny boxes
hold our yesterdays.
[poignant!]
(Lantern)
Stars
twinkling
in the dark:
angels winking
light.
Including an introduction to "What is Haiku?" and "What is Lantern?" sometimes spelled lanturne
a few of my favorites:
Reflection
Sunset on the lake--
like a brilliant yellow road
to a sinking ball.
The Mind
Memory is like
a room where tiny boxes
hold our yesterdays.
[poignant!]
(Lantern)
Stars
twinkling
in the dark:
angels winking
light.
May 29, 2017
Poems: 4 stars
Illustrations: 4 stars
Picture book of children's poetry. Half of the book is devoted to haiku and the other half of the book focuses on lantern poems. Many of the haiku are actually senryu, a haiku-like form that is not mentioned in the book. The lantern poems are especially lovely. Each of the two sections is introduced with a page explaining the poetic form. Includes a table of contents and suggestions for further reading. Good for use in a classroom poetry unit or a children's writing workshop.
Illustrations: 4 stars
Picture book of children's poetry. Half of the book is devoted to haiku and the other half of the book focuses on lantern poems. Many of the haiku are actually senryu, a haiku-like form that is not mentioned in the book. The lantern poems are especially lovely. Each of the two sections is introduced with a page explaining the poetic form. Includes a table of contents and suggestions for further reading. Good for use in a classroom poetry unit or a children's writing workshop.
June 18, 2018
If it Rains Pancakes is fulled with haiku and lantern poems. It teaches readers what a haiku and lantern poem is with many laughs. We can use this as a tool to show students the steps it takes to create a poem. When its all over, they can create their own to share with their peers.
December 1, 2019
I think the little poems on each of the pages range from cute, to funny, to gross. Young kids would love it, but some of the poems grossed me out! I wonder why the title page is about the one with pancakes? It seems like that was the worst poem of all. Funny picture though, I guess.
July 18, 2023
Hi Cuz, sounds like a sneeze. Lantern is a light source, but . . . They are two types of ancient Japanese poetry! These poems contain big surprises. You may laugh, puzzle, and ponder, but when you’re finished, you will want to try writing your own haiku and lanterns!
June 10, 2018
Very cute examples of haiku and lantern poems.
May 23, 2020
5-7-5 haiku. Nice description of the form. Also lantern poems another short form Japanese origin poetry form. most poems had a surprise or laugh at the end. Cute illustrations
June 7, 2021
Great resource for teaching poetry, specifically haikus and lantern poems, in an elementary classroom.
April 5, 2022
Delightful poems. I learned what a lantern is. So fun!
January 1, 2023
Some FUN poems! I learned what layers poems are.
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October 3, 2023This is such a cute story that can be used to teach Haiku poems. Students find this book funny.
March 26, 2025
Very much enjoyed!
I very much enjoyed the creativity to make Haikus in this book and will share this with my daughter. This sounds like a real challenge, yet fun.
I very much enjoyed the creativity to make Haikus in this book and will share this with my daughter. This sounds like a real challenge, yet fun.
March 16, 2017
If it Rains Pancakes by Brian P. Cleary illustrated by Andy Rowland is a book filled with individual haiku poems for children. Due to the fact that there are over 20 different poems within this book, it is difficult to come up with one specific summary. There poems about nature, food, seasons and animals yet no two poems are identical. Each haiku would be interesting for young children as they talk about relatable and sometimes silly topics.
The illustrations throughout this book are very bright and colorful. Depending on the page, there can be from one to 4 poems on each specific page. The title is bolded in navy and there is a small picture bordered with white that illustrated what the words are saying. Since the haiku poems are so brief, so are the illustrations and they only show kind of the main message.
The illustrations throughout this book are very bright and colorful. Depending on the page, there can be from one to 4 poems on each specific page. The title is bolded in navy and there is a small picture bordered with white that illustrated what the words are saying. Since the haiku poems are so brief, so are the illustrations and they only show kind of the main message.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews