Haiku: Learn to Express Yourself by Writing Poetry in the Japanese Tradition

by Patricia Donegan

Haiku is a uniquely Japanese form of poetry that uses images from nature to make a statement or capture a moment. Haiku are short but powerful expressions – making them easy and fun to write and share with your friends.

With clear explanations and many examples, Haiku introduces five styles of haiku to readers and includes projects on:

* Your first haiku--how to get started with the classic form of poetry
* Your favorite season--exploring nature, a traditional element in haiku
* Your own personal haiku--writing in haibun, a form of haiku that uses personal narrative
* Haiku with pictures--creating haiga, an illustrated haiku
* Haiku with a friend--developing renga, linked-verse haiku

Genres: Poetry, Japan, Childrens, Education

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a most awesome book for creating any kind of book, taking young students through the process step-by-step from choosing the animal one might wish to write about, all the way to creating all the important pages needed at the process end, like title page, dedication, table of contents, etc.
In addition, the back of the book shows the numerous animal books the author has written herself, but the inside is what is terrific. There are many pictures and illustrations, helping young writers to understand the parts needed to research about animals, how to gather resources and take notes, ways of organizing, every single step. With the friendly pages so interestingly illustrated, and the basic material based on using who, what, when, where, why and how, it would be easy either to teach from it or to let a student use it independently.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great introduction to haikus for children. It offers guidance and examples of how to write haikus. There are also craft ideas for how to display haikus. I would use this in a elementary poetry unit to introduce children to a style of poetry they probably have never encountered before.

[Blaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for kids and adults. It breaks down the essential components of the writing of Haiku. Well organized and lots of examples as well as illustrations. Good starter book with some very good related resources,

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll definitely be using this book in the writing class this year. Well written, easy to understand. And I had no idea that the art of haiku was so involved!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic resource

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite book and great resource for doing Haiku with kids. After purchasing it for myself, my two teaching partners ordered it for their classes, too.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book. Very well-written, very inspiring, very educational. I can't wait to write more haiku with my haiku eyes to capture the haiku moments all around me.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

simple, beautiful, fun

[Rochelle Melander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my go-to book every time I teach Haiku to children. It's laid out well and offers amazing tools for teachers and students.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this book again, when I checked out several books on haiku from the library. Still love the simple descriptions of the key characteristics of haiku. One of my favorite books for sure.

[Nancy Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, meaty book for writing teachers. Lots of good examples. Simple explanations. Writing exercises that are helpful and fun. Deep and understandable at the same time