Haiku Magic.... A POND, A POET, AND THREE PESTS

 In the prior post I pointed out that April is POETRY MONTH, featuring a book that included HAIKU. I've reviewed and praised Haiku collections for young readers in past posts, HERE, HERE, and  HERE.The form originates in Japan, which requires translation for those of us who don't speak Japanese. (That would be many of us, no doubt). The word meanings and syllable counts may change with translation, but the essence of HAIKU captures a moment in time, an emotion or observation of nature, a sense of our place in relation to the natural world. The three-line syllable count matters, but not more so than the essence of the thought. There are other renowned haiku poets from around the world, including from the USA. BASHO was perhaps the best known haiku poet, a journeying man who chose a life of humble means and deep reflection. 

GROUNDWOOD BOOKS, 2025   

A POND, A POET, AND THREE PESTS is written by Caroline Anderson and illustrated by Lauren Tamaki. This nearly mystical, dreamlike tale suggests an evening respite for BASHO, resting at a small pond. The three pests are pond residents who each recognize BASHO and hope to gain his attentions, to perhaps achieve fame by becoming the subject of one of his poems.

First, the golden carp flashes his sparkling scales, but goes unnoticed. Then the water lily wafts its most appealing fragrance, but also is unnoticed. Mosquito, though, is well aware of the effects of a droning buzz near the ear. Even that does not get a reaction from BASHO.

When a frog leaps into the pond, BASHO wakens, composing one of his most highly regarded poems... about the frog. No attempts at fame and attention succeeded, but simply following its nature earned frog fame in a globally-recited poem. How much we could all learn from that frog. And from those fame-seeking "pests" whose gifts and traits were overlooked by trying too hard for attention rather than for seeking joy in being their true selves. 

The narrative text to share this proverb-like tale is as minimal and resonate as a poem, which suits the story perfectly. The illustrations are evocative of Japanese ink scrolls combined with the lush and luminous colors of silks. Images seem to glow or ripple as your eyes shift from page to page while lines suggest ink-brushed lines and calligraphy. BASHU's Buddha-like image reveals his pilgrim/traveler persona and allows him to blend into the nature he deeply respects and purposefully seeks.  

BASHU and ISSA are two of the most well-known Haiku poets, and their collections have been the subjects of doctoral studies and scholarly tomes. They are also featured in books for young readers, in which the careful selection of poems combine with enhancing illustrations to make writing haiku an appealing project for many young folks and adults alike. COOL MELONS TURN TO FROGS is one such picture book that features poems by ISSA. I hope you'll seek out this recent BASHO book and the much earlier ISSA book. Both will take you into a world that may offer you respite from screens and fame-seekers, while deepening your own awareness of the natural world at our fingertips. 

Nature Is Complex: But Take a Close Look at this Poetry Challenge

THIS POEM IS A NEST is written by Irene Latham and illustrated by Johanna Wright. As a fan of Irene Latham's poetry, I opened this new book eagerly. 

"This beautiful poetry collection introduces readers to the art of found poetry as the poet writes a 37-line poem, "Nest," then finds 160 smaller poems within it."

I was not disappointed.
Poetic forms can be challenging, but they can also provide a scaffold for writers (young OR old) to approach and attempt creating their own work.
In this case, the premise of a poem being a nest is described simply and clearly in the opening pages. Latham has written a lovely and comprehensive poem to launch the book, one that is worthy to read and appreciate on its own. Her guidance to readers indicates they are welcome to use her NEST poem, use other published poems, or swing for the bleachers and create an extensive poem of their own to become the nest for further work. 

She described the simple restrictions (I won't call them rules) that allow her to select words from that original NEST poem, so carefully constructed, to produce an impressive collection of other poems on a range of topics and themes. 
This is such a strong conceptual offering for poetry-writers, and the poems she has produced are organized in ways that might inspire additions in themselves. This book concludes with some added (brief) messages from the author, inviting readers to join in the fun and the challenge.

This is a season for keeping eyes (and ears) open to notice nests and nestlings. The more we pay attention to nature, the better we can appreciate what experts birds (and other nesters) are when it comes to  reuse/recycle. The sum, when assembled with care and intention,  is a fine work of art and the individual elements assume new purpose and beauty. Even so, just noticing the bits and scraps might inspire us to pay more attention to the hidden ingredients in all of the beauty that surrounds us. And make a stab at this form of poetry, too!

Overall, this is a wonderful addition to classrooms, libraries, and writing shelves.

So, Happy POETRY MONTH, and happy nesting!

What Is Poetry?

Anchoring this post in time and space:
"Safe at Home" response to Covid19 pandemic continues, and that means libraries are still closed. The hold list for my library account is nearly maxed out, I've been direct ordering some titles from local (and distant) independent bookstores, and I've re-sorted my own personal (quite large) collection of picture books. Future posts will feature some of the gems that surfaced in that latter process. For now, I find myself frustrated at not having stacks and stacks of picture books at my fingertips in my work space. 
I appreciate libraries now more than ever.
Since April is poetry month, I decided to take a different tack with this post. I'm hoping that, after reading here, some of you will participate in comments. 

What this quotation calls to mind, for me, is the complexity of reactions people have to the word/concept POETRY. Some imagine poetry as sing-songy nursery rhymes, while others flinch at schoolage memories of tasks that demanded analysis and rote memorization of poems that felt disconnected from personal experience. 

Such is not the stuff of poetry, to me.

Here's a list of qualities of poetry that some former eight-to-nine-year old third graders developed with me years ago, representing only a PARTIAL list for identifying and defining poetry: 

Poetry is literature with special feelings, word choices, forms, and patterns.

Poetry:

·      Needs to use words

·      Does not have to be written on paper

·      Should go through the writing process to polish it to a shine

·      Does not have to be in a book

·      May have things in it to figure out

·      Can rhyme, but doesn’t have to rhyme

·      Can be long or short

·      Can describe things or people

·      Can be about nature

·      Can be about anything

·      Can be funny, sad, or mad (the more emotions it makes you feel, the better)

·      Usually has a title (the title may be a line of the poem, or might be repeated in the patterns, but it doesn’t have to be)

·      Can have pictures (that might or might not help understand the meaning of the poem)

·      Needs an author (but some authors are anonymous)

·      Can be true or not

·      Can be real or not

·      Can have word patterns that make the ideas stronger

·      Can be silly, with mixed up ideas

·      Can use names, made-up words, or other word play

·      Can be a tongue-twister, or use special writing styles or forms

·      Needs a careful reader who rereads several times to “get it all", to find all that the author is saying

Millbrook Press, 2019. Editor Miranda Paul

What would you add to this list of traits? 

Are there picture books that spring to mind as you read these ideas about poetry? 

     During poetry month and beyond, give some thought to buying, reading, and being inspired to write poetry. An outstanding place to start is the poetry anthology, THANKU, an uplifting compilation of works by talented writers, edited by Miranda Paul. Among those poems you'll find many of the qualities my former students recognized, and more. You'll encounter works by Joseph Bruchac, Margarita Engle, Liz Garton Scanlon, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Naomi Shihab Nye, Charles Waters, and Jane Yolen, and more. (Click each name to check their websites for books you may already have at home!)

      

    There is no better time than now to turn to poetry. What do you recommend? How do you use poetry? What would you add to that descriptive list? Care to share some of your own work?

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Singing the Praises of "LYRICAL" Picture Books: Poetry Month

Kids often insist that nothing is a poem unless it rhymes. The flip side of that belief is that anything that rhymes is a poem. Actually, there are plenty of adults who feel the same way. 

I don't. 

Debates about what poetry is, or isn't, have gone on for centuries. Poetry.org says this:
POETRY: literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm.

I've seen amazing visual art that strikes me as poetic (including the illustrations for these featured books) as well as scenes in nature (crashing waves, starlit nights, crystalline fields of snow, murmurations of starlings, etc.) But, since this is a picture book blog, I'll focus on literary poetry here. 
My questions of the day:

• If picture book text rhymes, does it mean it is poetry?
• Can picture book text be considered poetry if it doesn't rhyme?

My personal (arbitrary) guide in answering those two questions follows. 

Poetry (picture book or otherwise) is:

written and/or spoken;

distinctly lyrical (style and rhythm);

focused on emotions or concepts;

presented in a concise, intentional form.

That first point suits picture book text perfectly: It is written AND intended to be spoken aloud.

Jumping to the final trait, picture book text is concise and presented in an intentional format.  

Certainly anthologies, themed collections, and specialty forms (novels in verse, haiku, poems for two voices, etc.) are poems, too. 

But what about the very familiar category of narrative picture books, in two types:  rhymed and unrhymed?

For these, I focus on the two central traits above.

I'd argue that EVERY picture book should engage emotional or conceptual reactions. That isn't limited to tenderhearted reactions but includes humor or surprise or the simple satisfaction of a story well-told. When that is the case, picture book text meets three-out-four of my indicators of poetry.

The final condition comes down to that lyrical quality, which is by no means a trait of every picture book. Certainly personal taste comes into play, but there are qualities that can be noted and appreciated, too. I feel confident in asserting that the two examples below, both by the same author, are poetic text.

Harper, 2019

REMARKABLY YOU is written in rhyme by Pat Zietlow Miller with energizing, expressive illustrations by Patrice Barton.

"You might be bold, 

You might be loud.

Leading parades. Drawing a crowd.

You might be timid.

You might be shy.

Quietly watching your neighbors go by."

...

"You are a blessing,

a promise, a prize.

You're capable, caring, courageous, and wise."

These passages exemplify the lyrical quality that distinguishes all of Miller's rhyming picture books: a rhythmic style that appears effortless yet reveals deeply thoughtful craft. It's rhymed text that invites read-aloud and read-along while providing structure and story to propel prediction and page turns. The excellent rhythm and rhyme provide auditory pacing, and the progression of underlying concepts and messages build to a gratifying conclusion. 
These lines (and the entire text) serve well as examples for young readers eager to try their hands at writing rhymed stories. Writing in rhyme can be as challenging as it is fun. The trickiest aspect of lyrical text is achieving consistent meter (rhythm) that sounds natural, unforced. Miller's words are consistent in providing a sense of conversational speech, but are written with technically perfect meter that begs to be put to music. 
Adults trying to write rhymed text for publication, especially picture books, would do well to type out the full text. In that format Miller's mastery of the craft is even more evident: the use of parallel structures and images (as in the first two stanzas above), and the minimalist but familiar scenes suggested. The third stanza above comes near the conclusion of the book. In it, the resolution of emotion, empowerment, and momentum are undeniable. Using second person voice can be a dangerous choice, but Miller's lilting language is inspiring rather than teaching or--to be avoided at all costs--preaching. 

Is the text of this picture book poetry? I vote yes.

Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2019

WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE is written in unrhymed but undeniably lyrical text, enhanced by the lilting and emotionally expressive illustrations by Eliza Wheeler. This particularly brilliant author/illustrator pairing originated with one of MIller's earlier picture books, WHEREVER YOU GO (also by Little Brown BYR, 2015). 
In that work Miller used rhymed text. (I reviewed it when it released, here.) I'm delighted to see their talents once again interacting so magically in WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE. (I urge you to read more about Wheeler's approach to the text and view a short trailer for the book over at Betsy Bird's FUSE 8 Production blog for School Library Journal, HERE. I guarantee you'll enjoy the insights and closer look at the art.)
Meanwhile, I'm excited to share just a few lines from Miller's unrhymed but LYRICAL text.

"Some days, 

when everything around

you seems scary...

You have to be brave.

Brave as a bird that steps from its nest,

hoping to soar through the sky.

Brave as a dog that

wanders for miles,

searching for one

well-known light."

"At times like these, the world can seem...

Too big. Too loud. Too hard. Too much.

While you feel...

Too small.

Too quiet.

Too tired.

Not enough."

Unlike Miller's previous rhymed text, these lines read as free verse. The rhythm is established within the language itself. Replace each syllable with "la", then read it aloud. You'll find yourself reciting the text with a musical meter and flow. Miller magnifies that effect by using repetitive phrasing, figurative language, and metaphoric images. 

If that analysis suggests the text is formal or stilted, I assure you it is not. Note the child-friendly images of fledging birds and lost dogs, both with inherent appeal and intense emotional connections. Wheeler's illustrations explore those intense emotions, cycling through memories of common fears (public speaking, first day of school, etc.) without overwhelming, but honoring the legitimacy of the worry and angst those memories recall. 

Miller's theme (being brave) is artfully layered, emerging without even once using the word FEAR, providing scripted remedies, or calling on a character to have superpowers. In this narrative, she again uses second person/direct address, and again inspires rather than resorting to bossing or an "adult" tone. Readers are gently encouraged to recognize and draw on their inner resources to imagine, to remember, and to rely on themselves.  

This book in particular reminds me of the quality of Robert Frost poems, using ordinary and familiar objects and experiences to explore deeper emotions and address significant human questions.

Is the text of this picture book poetry?  Again, I vote YES.

So, whether honoring April's theme of poetry or reading picture books throughout the year, i encourage you (and kids you care about) to develop your own "rules" for what makes a poem a poem then apply that to the text. Kids eagerly enjoy rewriting lyrics to familiar songs, so consider using outstanding text such as these to model writing, too. 

Keep in mind that these are my opinions and I welcome discussion and additional title recommendations in the comments. I could recommend many other picture book titles, rhymed and unrhymed, that deserve designation as poetry.  Thanks to Pat Z. Miller for permission to quote lines from these picture books. I urge everyone to read the entire text, repeatedly.
Library editions of both titles were used for this review and post.

More Alike Than Different: Poems of Friendship

April is Poetry Month. I celebrated the launch of the 2018 Poetry Season with a post about H IS FOR HAIKU, HERE, which was a collaboration of sorts between mother (author) and daughter (advocate). 

It's fitting to follow that with a co-authored, co-illustrated collection of poems that I first read while evaluating books for the CYBILS awards for poetry. CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR? POEMS OF RACE, MISTAKES, AND FRIENDSHIP was a hot contender, in my opinion. Authors Irene Latham and Charles Waters met "virtually" through their mutual love of poetry. Editor Carol Hinz of Carolrhoda Books proposed their collaboration on this project and it was an inspired choice. Illustrators Sean Qualls and Selina Alko completed this multi-racial, honest, and open exploration of the childhood perceptions, misconceptions and relationships.

I expected to enjoy this, but it far exceeded those expectations. The simplicity and directness from each of the two voices allowed me to slide right into their respective identities, into their school and home relationships, into the gradual shifts of their interactions from anxious concern to naturally developing mutual respect and friendship. 
The dialogic poems, simple but helpful illustrations, and discreet details from the two lives and points of view offer readers of any age an open door to reflect on privilege and unrecognized bias. 
The free verse poems and topics developed provide effective mentor text and present subtle character development from which young writers can learn to "show, don't tell" in their own writing.

Read the Kirkus starred review, HERE, to see why this is a book for today, for Poetry Month, for EVERY month, and for years to come.

Praising Poetry: Poetry Month and Timeless Classics

A recent Facebook post by poet extraordinaire,  Lee Bennet Hopkins, noted this distressing statistic:
"POETRY UPDATE: Of some 3,400 children's/YA books published in 2016, less than 55 books of poetry appeared. This includes rhyme, original collections, anthologies and verse novels."

That post generated 40+ comments and reactions, all of which expressed praise for poetry in young lives, along with concern for the obvious decline of interest in producing poetry books for young readers from within the publishing industry.

I, too, bemoaned the reduced number of "collections", themed or otherwise. It's true, in the early and mid- decades of the last century there were far fewer books published for children in general. Books tended toward anthologies, retold classics, a few longer novels or series, and poetry collections aimed at young audiences that were often written by poets who primarily wrote for adults.

The children's section of the library I visited as a child had a pathetic collection. I often spent up to an hour scrounging around for books I might enjoy, most of which had been rebound in dull fabric covers. Once I settled on a few possibilities, I'd hurry to the equally pitiful poetry section. There, I'd check out my favorite and familiar titles, multiple times. Edward Lear (poems), James Thurber (cartoons), William Steig (stories and cartoons) filled my need for word play, humor, and language with the mastery of precision-cut diamonds.

April is poetry month, and I used the lower case for that phrase rather than designating it with caps. As I posted in the early weeks of this blog more than five years ago, theme months are double edged swords. Remembering my childhood willingness to reread old favorites, especially in the absence of other options, I headed over to a used book outlet and ordered a dozen or more of those favorites.

I knew that Lear's work had long outlived his life, but it wasn't until ordering that I realized the original publication date of his BOOK OF NONSENSE was 1846! I get such pleasure out of picturing Abe Lincoln reciting Lear rhymes with his sons. I have no doubt whatsoever that their shared enjoyment of those and other books, rhymes, and stories was in no way bounded by special monthly designations. 
With my position on theme months clearly stated, I'll await delivery of my old friends. I'll be back to share some more recent favorites, too, and will post about multiple poetry titles in special categories. Many of those posts will be in April, but I'll continue throughout the year. 

And here, just for the fun of it, is a link to poetry.org to access posters and activities.

And the Themes Roll On: April is POETRY MONTH

Candlewick Press, 2015

Poetry, when well done, is a form of prayer. 
It inspires, it lifts the spirit.

It celebrates and laments.
It reveals our humanity
and unites our souls.

Its words, sounds, and  rhythms
set the pace of our pulse. 

Poems make me erupt 
in silly giggles,
gasps, sighs, 
and weeping. 

Poetry's forms are 
as rigid as haiku 
and as free as stories in verse.

All this and more in poems, and only a month to celebrate?

I could use more than a month to sing the praises of just one poet, Helen Frost, and her recent release, SWEEP UP THE SUN. The photographic illustrations by Rick Lieder should, in my opinion, make this title a front runner for Caldecott consideration in 2016. 

Frost wields poetry like a paintbrush in generating "master-pieces" in the truest sense of the word. I've read each and every book she's written and marveled at her capacity to make even the most complex and challenging poetic forms read like spontaneous storytelling. In each she bends her words to forms that serve the themes, moods, and characters. 

In SWEEP UP THE SUN I transcribed the entire text in an effort to understand Frost's alchemy. The entire text is ninety-eight words. 
Really. 
I counted by hand, used digital tools, rechecked my transcription. 
Yep. Only ninety-eight words. 
Each is a gem, exquisite in its setting.
I want desperately to quote the introductory passage that provides the titles, but that requires thirty-four words of her total text. I won't cite a third of a book, even with quotations!
I'll stretch this far:

"Rise into the air

On the strength of your wings

Go out to play in the sky, "

Breathtaking, right?

Now imagine equally breathtaking photography that captures some of the most remarkable images of birds in flight that you'll ever see. 

No, you can't imagine his magnificent images -- the action, the lighting, the colors.

Just get your hands on this book as soon as possible and read it.

Again. 

And again.

As much as I am enthralled by this book, I continue my boycott of naming "favorites" in titles or authors, because so many have done so much so well for so many centuries. 
To demonstrate that, I'll close with several links to other posts that in turn link, and link, and link. Follow those varied trails to savor the richness of poetry and share your own favorites, widely and often.
From the Latin@s in Kid Lit post: Poetry from their archives.
and
KIDLitoSphere Central: A link to links

The Timeless Triumph of Poetry

Here I am again , whining about the double-edged swords of monthly themes (Black History, Women's History, Hispanic Heritage, etc.). In my opinion the sharpest of those double-edged swords is the designation of April as POETRY MONTH.  The benefit, of course, is the likelihood that kids (and adults!) will experience poetry more often and with more attention this month than is usually the case. 
My HOPE is that some will encounter a category of language and literature that reaches out and grabs them by the heart and never lets go.
My REGRET is that so many kids (and adults!) do NOT experience poetry daily, despite its power and potential to reach our hearts and minds in a matter of moments using only a few artfully chosen words.
Just a few examples are shared here, with more to follow in the weeks to come.

Eerdmans 
Books for Young Readers, 2011

Let's start with poetry collections that reach back several centuries: 

I LAY MY STITCHES DOWN: Poems of American Slavery, written by Cynthia Grady and illustrated by Michele Wood. Awards and recognitions for this title include Parents' Choice Award in the poetry category, New York Public Library, Children's Books 2012: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

I wrote on Goodreads:
With my love of quilts, southern heritage, and appreciation for both poetry and art, this oversized offering from Eerdmans BYR earns the highest rating. Each free-verse poem is ten-by-ten (ten lines, ten syllables each) to mimic the structure of a quilt. Each left spread includes the title of a traditional quilt pattern, a poem, a strip of the quilt pattern, and an historic note about the role of quilts in slave history. The right side spread combines the abstraction of the pattern with an artistic image of the slave life that inspired it. Brilliantly done!

Chronicle Books, 2012

Moving on to the past century brings us to WHEN THUNDER COMES: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders, by J. Patrick Lewis, Children's Poet Laureat. This collection has the unusual distinction of being illustrated by multiple artists, including Jim Burke, R. Gregory Christie, Tonya Engel, John Parra, and Meilo So. (Each of these links is worth a second look.)

My Goodreads notes on this title:
Of the many books written about civil rights leaders, some lesser known than others, these poems capture their voices and spirits better than anything else I've read. These are definitely for an older audience, not only because of the challenging vocabulary and language, but because of the depth of conflicts, emotions, and issues explored.

Disney Press, 2013

When it comes to history, nothing matters more to each of us than personal history. Hearing poems, reciting poems (individually and in chorale groups), and memorizing poems are experiences that stay with us for life. That's why I'm such a fan of POEMS TO LEARN BY HEART collected by Caroline Kennedy with paintings by Jon J. Muth.

I'm also a fan of Kennedy's previous anthology of poems: A FAMILY OF POEMS (below). This more recent collection exceeded my expectations. Once again Jon Muth's illustrations serve the poems well, subtly extending and exploring meaning. The organization by themes is effective, back matter additions are helpful and well organized.
Given its premise of rote memorization and oral recitation, the collection offers something for everyone, from Langston Hughes's eleven word "Bad Morning" to the epic "Casey at the Bat".

Disney-Hyperion, 2005

The earlier anthology by this duo should be in every family and classroom collection, too: A FAMILY OF POEMS: My Favorite Poetry for Children collected by Caroline Kennedy with paintings by Jon J. Muth. Poetry anthologies are always an asset, but some offer more than others. In this case the poets represented range from the Bible to Anonymous to Edward Lear- and on and on and on...
In addition they are wisely arranged (About ME, So Silly, Animals, The Seasons, The Seashore, Adventure, and Bedtime). The forward, first line index, and foreign poems in original languages make it all the more useful and informative.

The title of this post reflects my conviction that poetry transcends time- reaching back into history, capturing voices from the past, and easily evoking our own personal memories. 
Poetry is powerful for the same reasons as picture books are. 

Each is COMPACT, COMPLETE, and COMPELLING. 

Make poetry a part of every day, starting TODAY!