Kiyoshi’s Walk

Summary of Book

After Kiyoshi watches his grandfather, Eto, compose his delicate haiku, he wonders out loud: "Where do poems come from?" His grandfather answers by taking him on a walk through their city, where they see a cat perched on a hill of oranges; hear the fluttering of wings; imagine what's behind a tall wall; and discuss their walk, with each incident inspiring a wonderful new haiku from Eto. As Kiyoshi discovers that poems come from the way the world outside of us meets the world within each of us, he also finds the courage to write a haiku of his own.

Author Biography

Mark Karlins is the writer of five picture books, including Starring Lorenzo – and Einstein Too, Music Over Manhattan, and Salmon Moon. His sense of humor, wacky characters and belief in the potential of all children to go beyond themselves are hallmarks of his work. He has published two books of poetry for adults, one of which is The Courtyard of Continuous Returning, an interesting entry point into Karlins’age-spanning audience of imagination.

Illustrator Biography

I was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, with both parents in the arts—my dad was a designer and painter, and my mom was a fashion illustrator and art teacher. So when I was a kid I never thought of becoming anything except an illustrator. I drew constantly as a girl—including on the walls behind furniture, where my mom would find drawings years later. I received my first freelance illustration job when I was 12. As I grew up I wanted to learn more, and graduated from RISD with a BFA in illustration. I still take art classes to explore different media and techniques, like collage, photography, egg tempera painting, and etc. Now, I’m happily a full-time illustrator of magazines, children’s educational and trade books. I continue to live in Fall River with my husband, Dan Medeiros, our daughter, our mean kitty, and happy puppies.