Haiku Mama: Because 17 Syllables Is All You Have Time to Read

by Kari Anne Roy, Colleen O'Hara (Illustrator)

Yay! The perfect time
To strip down naked and scream—
When Mommy’s on the phone.
 
This irreverent collection of candid haiku is full of laugh-out-loud observations on dirty diapers, playdate anxiety, obn­oxious purple dinosaurs, choking hazards, stay-at-home dads, and more. It’s a book of verse every new mother will appreciate. Read, laugh, roll your eyes, and know that you are not alone!

Genres: Poetry

112 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2006

Reviews

[Emi Yoshida · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick funny read for moms of babies who don't mind the word "mama".

[Danielle Palmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not terrible, but nothing great either. Snarky and mediocre.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
When she was my mom she said no sweets before lunch. Hypocrite grandma. This collection of irreverent haiku explores the reality of modern motherhood complete with dirty diapers, spilled Spaghetti-Os, obnoxious purple dinosaurs, car seats, strollers, choking hazards, and more. It's the perfect gift for new moms with young children at home a book that can be picked up for a minute and then put down to wipe a nose or settle an argument, all while making Mom laugh. With more than 100 haiku and 40 whimsical illustrations, Haiku Mama is a collection of verse that all mothers (and their family and friends) will love.

My take: 5 looks
Hilarious!

I will admit to being a serious word-nerd, and I have written my own Haiku in a black Moleskine notebook since 2010. Various expressions of happiness, sadness, frustration, and stress. 17 syllables can say so much, but you have to have a good imagination to get your feelings into that limited amount of text.

I fully appreciate every Haiku presented in Haiku Mama. They are funny, clever, and so very true. Some of my faves:

Awake so early,
small boy rises with the sun.
Can't snooze a baby.

Like badge of honor
our spreading hips unite us:
asstacular moms

Every one of these will cause a smile to come to your face, a nod of agreement, or the explosive, "Amen, sister!".

High recommended.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very enjoyable. As a fellow admirer and writer of the Haiku form of poetry, this book was a necessary addition to my e-library. The title grabbed my attention immediately and I was completely taken in by the unique subject matter (poop and all). The challenge of creating a detailed word image of something heartfelt and special, or composing a meaningful poetic portrayal of personal wisdom and reflection to share, while adhering to the strict syllable count limitations of Haiku is difficult to say the least. But the author absolutely "nailed it"and produced a highly entertaining gift of her Mama experience (which many readers, not just mothers, can definitely relate to). I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs to take a moment to get away and laugh at and/or commiserate with the wonderfulness, craziness, and even the yuckyness of child rearing.

The only downside (which has nothing to do with the author's writing) was that the print was very small and nonadjustable in my Kindle edition making it very hard for me to to read the Introduction. Thankfully the font size of the poems was large enough to easily read them and revel in their cleverness.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haiku Mama by Kari Anne Roy is a slim volume of 17-syllable poems called haiku, which is a Japanese form of poetry. Rather than celebrate the joys and beauty of nature, these haiku celebrate the joys and frustrations of new motherhood.

These little poems not only will make mothers chuckle, but they also contain a bit of truth that will have them nodding “yes, yes, yes.”

The poems are cute, quick reads for busy moms and the book contains illustrations on a number of pages, though readers may wish for more apt illustrations considering some of the topics addressed in the haiku. For instance, one haiku discusses the typical technique of pretending the spoon or fork carrying the food is an airplane entering the hangar (aka the child’s mouth). An illustration of the airplane and hangar method and its food-splattering results would pack even more of a punch.

Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2011/04/h...

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

My brother-in-law introduced me to haiku years ago. It isn't my favorite form of poetry, but some of the haikus in this book made me laugh. There were also some rather crass ones. A few examples:

Hot Story Time Mom
has cute hair, handbag. Yet has
Children of the Corn.
---
Oh, photographer,
your misshapen, squeaky mouse
is freaking him out.
---
Shouting about it
Defies the point of teaching
the "library voice."
---
When she was my mom
she said no sweets before lunch.
Hypocrite grandma.
---
Other playgroup moms,
so svelte in their yoga pants
While I eat cupcake.
---
Stranger sees shiner.
Please do not call the police:
Babe thinks he can fly.
---
Please grocery lady,
don't make him eat the free ham.
He is scared of you.

[Adelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed reading Haiku Mama. I’m not sure I’ve even read them all yet, because I really just pick it up and flip around reading different haiku’s each time. Some are not for me, but others really do have me laughing out loud. As a still young mom to 4 kids, I can relate to so many of her haiku’s, but especially appreciate that they are Haiku’s! As the subtitle reads to this book “because 17 syllables is all you have time to read”.

It’s so true! My days are spent running here, doing that, finding shoes, make some food, 5x snacks, and more. I had a friend ask me recently if I ever made time for sleep, and my quick response was “psh, who needs sleep?”. HA, I do sleep actually. I hope you do too. But take some time to laugh a little and pick up Haiku Mama today.

[Ricky Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Kari Anne sticks with the strict western structure of 5-7-5, she does seem to have some grasp of the "haiku moment" in many of these haiku that will have those who've ever given birth to, been a parent to or been charged with the care of infants and toddlers rolling their eyes in recognition, giggling, bursting out in laughter or literally rolling on the floor. Certainly written from the mother's/female point of view, these haiku are likely to appeal to fathers/males too. Worth a read and sometimes the color scheme used is a bit tough on the eyes but, depending on how deeply you identify with Kari Anne Roy's hilarious take on her "mom" experiences, perhaps best bought used.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm not anywhere near being a mama but this book is hilarious, seriously. saw it at bookpeople and almost fell over. this is the perfect gift for all you child-less people to give to your child-ridden pals.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several years ago whilst living in Japan, my sister started Haikuing and totally turned me onto it. What's that I hear? You haven't attempted Haiku since the fifth grade? Well, may I suggest you pick it up again? It's good fun!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book to give as a gift - and to keep somewhere handy so you can have a good mommy laugh when you need one (like every hour or so!!)

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, funny. Now I want to try to write soe! A must read for moms when they need a laugh and a chance to really appreciate what they do

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endearing and funny quick little read, probably only funny to parents of small children. A few too many scatological references. Perfect mama present; thanks Stephanie!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short collection of haikus about motherhood. It's hilarious.

[Denna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny!

[Kim]

Funny at times - especially for moms.

[Arlene]

Written by K. A. Holt who wrote Rhyme Schemer and House Arrest