by Kelly

Sometimes, even the easiest things can seem so complicated.

Take haiku. Perhaps you’re new to haiku and you’re seeking a simple description about the poetry form. You want to know where haiku comes from, what a haiku is supposed to mean, and if there are any rules you need to follow.

Do a Google search on any of these topics and you’re likely to become so overwhelmed that you’ll lose your creative drive to write your own haiku.

Enter a new book by Valerie Bodden called Poetry Basics: Haiku. The haiku title is just one in a series of four books by Bodden, all with the title Poetry Basics. The series also features concrete poetry, limericks and nursery rhymes.

The haiku version explains the origins of haiku in straight-forward language before explaining how the form was introduced to Western culture.

The book explains the reasoning behind the 5-7-5 syllable rule, but also opens the door to “free form” haiku, or uncounted English-language haiku, encouraging readers to first try out the counted version before revising their haiku into something less rigid.

The author also explains the concept of a cutting word, or a break in the language of the haiku that divides the poem into two ideas.

She also emphasises the nature theme then moves on to explain that a haiku which is not about nature, but about people instead, is called senryu.

While the book is clearly a picture book meant for children, I must say I found it helpful to read. It reminded me of haiku points I’d already known but had forgotten.

If you’re seeking a resource to explain the very basics of haiku, this might be a title to put on your library list — even if you are an adult.

And if you’re a teacher or a school librarian this is definitely a resource that would get used.

If you want more ideas about teaching haiku to kids, check out this listing of picture books on the topic:

Haiku Picture Books for Kids