COOL MELONS -- TURN TO FROGS!; The Life and Poems of issa / Story and Haiku Translations by Matthew Gollub / Illustrations by Kazuko G. Stone / Calligraphy by Keiko Smith

New York: Lee & Low Books Inc, 1998. First Edition, First Printing. Pictorial boards. Very Fine/Very Fine. Kazuko G. Stone. INSCRIBED on the title page by Author Matthew Gollub & Calligrapher Keiko Smith with EXTRA CALLIGRAPHY, 4to (8 5/8" x 10 5/8"), glossy pictorial boards by Kazuko Stone, who has profusely illustrated the book with full-color artistry, fine calligraphy along margins by Keiko Smith, green endpapers, N.P. [40] pages. MATTHEW GOLLUB is an award-winning children's author, entertainer, musician, and storyteller. He does this while speaking four languages: English, Spanish, Japanese and jazz! He has created 15 picture books which have won 25 national awards and distinctions. His musical narrations on CDs have been set to jazz to accompany some of his books. Kobayashi Issa (1763 - 1828), aka "Issa" [meaning cup-of-tea], was a Japanese poet and lay Buddhist priest known for his haiku poems. He is regarded as one of the four haiku masters. Gollub's retelling of Issa's life and over thirty of his best-loved poems, along with Kazuko Stone's sensitive and humorous watercolour paintings when combined with Keiko Smith's inspired calligraphy make this a classic introduction to Issa's work. EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION & SIGNED by Author and Calligrapher on title page. No remainder markings.