by Alison

My daughter, Penny, loves books — as do I. So excited was I to share my love of books that I started reading to her on day one. This, ahem, did not go over very well, but we did start reading together soon after. And so Penelope, now 4 months shy of her second birthday, has become a picture book connoisseur of sorts.

Which takes me back to haiku. Haiku Baby by Betsy Snyder is a definite favorite. So much do we love this portable picture book with 6 illustrated haiku about nature and seasons, that I have decided every future shower gift will include a copy of Haiku Baby.

The illustrations are simply adorable. Check out the charming bluebird on the cover. This bird accompanies each haiku along with other cuddly animals in seasonal settings. How sweet is that?

The haiku are also perfect for babies, in their playful and simple language. Here is Penny’s favorite:

Under summer sun

turtle drops in for a swim -

plunk, plop, belly flop!

But enough from me. Here is Penny describing what she likes about Haiku Baby in her very own words:

“Woooosh!!!”

translation: I really like the haiku about the wind and the leaves. Haiku Baby is about trees, rain and turtles basking in the sun. Nature is fun and also cute.

“Turtle! Turtle! Turtle!”

translation: I’m only 20 months old so I don’t know  a ton of words. But I do know a lot of the words in Haiku Baby. I know “turtle”, “hippo” and “flower”. I don’t know “igloo” but I’m sure I’ll learn that soon enough.

“Bye bye!”

translation: Whew. We made it to the end of the book. This almost never happens because like most toddlers, I have an incredibly short attention span. Six haiku at seventeen syllables each - perfect!

All haiku in this post © Betsy Snyder.

by Kelly

Sigh. Another month,

another disappointment.

I hate telling him.

April is National Poetry Month and we’re celebrating!

Each Monday this month, we’re throwing out a topic and inviting readers to share haiku on the subject.

This week’s topic: Periods

Add your haiku as a comment. Let’s see how many we can collect! Oh, and there’s no time limit. Today, tomorrow, next week. We’ll take ‘em!

by Kelly

All those years obsessed

with condoms and pills. Fruitless

in more ways than one.

by Alison

“va-va” is “flower”

her favorite word flowers

are everywhere

by Kelly

greatest fear: hubby

dies; next — having baby; next —

not having baby

by Alison

with a sprained ankle

she turns her toy upside down

and walks on her knees

by Alison

pushing the stroller

six and a half blocks through snow

to toddler gym class

by Alison

wonderful to sit

at night writing love poems

to Penelope

by Alison

My daughter’s language

is made of one word haiku:

ma-ma, flower, cat

by Alison

cat scratched furniture

wood plank floors sticky with milk

all is in order