What inspires a poet to write a poem?

Caroline Adderson is an author of books for young readers and adults. Her picture books include Norman, Speak! (illustrated by Qin Leng) and the Pierre & Paul series (illustrated by Alice Carter). Early chapter books include the Jasper John Dooley and Izzy series, as well as Babble! And How Punctuation Saved It (illustrated by Roman Muradov). Caroline has won the Sheila Egoff Award, the Chocolate Lily Book Award and the Diamond Willow Award, among many other honors. She lives in Vancouver, B.C. You can learn more about her at her website or follow her on Instagram.

A POND, A POET, AND THREE PESTS is a picture book examining what might have inspired the poet Bashō to write one of his most famous haiku (i.e., “Old Pond”). The story takes many unexpected twists and turns that feel delightfully true to the possible origin of the poem. Even more astonishing are the gloriously rendered illustrations that are a perfect fit for this manuscript.

Welcome Caroline!

Me: Can you tell us a little bit about your writing journey? When did you start writing picture books? How has that brought you to writing this picture book?

Caroline: I started out as, and still am, a writer for grown-ups. Back when my son was five — as he promised he’d always be, but lied! — I wrote a series of stories loosely based on our own true-life adventures. I actually thought they were picture books, but that was because I didn’t know what I was talking about. Those stories were eventually published as a collection of stories, I, Bruno, by Orca in 2007. I discovered I loved writing for kids, and kept at it, writing chapter books and novels. By then I knew what a picture book was — the most difficult of forms — and that I didn’t have the chops for one. Then one day my dog and I met a friend and his dog in a park. He pointed out a third dog, an acquaintance of his, and said, “That dog speaks Chinese.” I asked for an explanation, then said, “Thank you very much!” I finally had a picture book idea! Norman, Speak! came out with Groundwood in 2014. I have been poking away at the form ever since.

Me: I love that you are digging into what might’ve inspired the poet Bashō to write one of his more famous poems. What gave you the idea? Are you a huge fan of his poetry and/or haiku?

Caroline: I became a huge fan (or a “big fan” as the mosquito tells him), after reading up on him for this book. The genesis for this one was unusual. During the pandemic I took a workshop with a micro-fiction writer I really admire, John Gould. He writes these stunning page-long stories and I wanted to know how he did it. It turned out he’s a big fan of haiku and uses the form to inspire his work. I then sought out a volume of Japanese Zen poetry and was similarly wowed. I already knew “Old Pond” — it’s not difficult to memorize! It suddenly occurred to me that with “plop” at the end, it was a very kid-friendly poem. And like Bashō in the story, the thing came to me all at once.

Me: How long did it take you to think of 3 different natural pests with different senses that could have impacted Bashō? Was this always an element of your story from the first draft? Or did that come about through multiple revisions?

Caroline: As I said, it just plopped into my head. I’m a very intuitive writer. I let the story take me along and figure out afterward what it is I’m actually writing about. The carp came first because they’re often found in Zen garden ponds. Logically, so are lilies. Then I noticed I seemed to be using sensory perception. Sight, smell. What’s next?  Sound!  Of course there were many, many revisions to refine the language once I had the story down. 

Me:  The illustrations by Lauren Tamaki are spot on! Acrylic ink is the perfect complement to Bashō’s poetry. Were there any illustration surprises for you? Any favorites?

Caroline: I’m so thrilled with Lauren!  She was not on the original list the publisher gave me. I asked them to please find an illustrator of Japanese heritage. Serendipity brought Lauren and Karen Li of Groundwood together. I love every page, but the frog really makes me laugh. The way he leaps in the air, so free, so unencumbered by desire, really sums up the book for me.

Me:  I love that your back matter gives more information on haiku and Bashō’s poem, as well as a writing exercise. Was that your idea to include? Or was that someone else’s suggestion (agent, editor, etc.)?

Caroline: It was my idea. Educators are always looking for ways they might use a book in the classroom. I thought it might be helpful. Also, I had researched Bashō and even read his beautifully-titled travelogue, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, and was eager to share what I’d learned.

Me: What is one thing that surprised you in writing this story?

Caroline: How easily it came! I can end up doing many radically-different drafts of a picture book before I get it right. This one?  Plop!

Me: You are an award-winning writer for both adults and children, having written in many different formats. Any advice for new picture book writers?

Caroline: Think like a poet.

Ha! Great advice. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today Caroline.

Dear readers, this book publishes today! If you’re a fan of poetry, haiku, or even zen, you’ll want to keep an eye out for it. This book really is a treat.