Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems)

Sijo, a traditional Korean verse form, has a fixed number of stressed syllables and a humorous or ironic twist at the end. Like haiku, sijo are brief and accessible.

The verses in this book illuminate funny, unexpected aspects of the everyday—of breakfast, houseplants, tennis, freshly washed socks. Carefully crafted and deceptively simple, Linda Sue Park's sijo are a pleasure to read and an invitation to experiment with an unfamiliar poetic form. Istvan Banyai's giddy illustrations add a one-of-a-kind luster to a book that is truly a gem.

 Linda Sue Park is the author of the Newbery Medal book A Single Shard and bestseller A Long Walk to Water. She has also written several acclaimed picture books, fiction and nonfiction, and is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books. She lives in Rochester, New York, with her family

Istvan Banyai is the creator of the award-winning children's book Zoom and The Other Side. He lives in Connecticut.

“A smart and appealing introduction to an overlooked poetic form.”—School Library Journal, starred review

“With this lighthearted collection of her own sijo, the form will take a flying leap into the consciousness of both children and teachers.”—Booklist, Starred Review

“Banyai’s illustrations enhance the collection with an extra element of wit and imaginative freedom.”—Horn Book