Write Your Own Haiku for Kids: Write Poetry in the Japanese Tradition—Easy Step-by-Step Instructions To Compose Simple Poems

Gr 2–5—This wonderful step-by-step guide teaches children and adults about the art of haiku and renga (linked poem). Beginning with simple instructions and advancing on to activities, poetry students can learn and grow from the rich history and examples of thought processes presented here. Donegan dives deep into the technical aspects by providing a handy seven-step checklist: form, image, Kigo (an indication of season), here and now, feeling, surprise, and compassion. The author patiently walks readers through exercises in putting images together, thinking about spacing and word choice, and more. Haiku from master poets, such as Basho, are reproduced throughout the book. Detailed saijiki and shisan charts will be immensely helpful for students ready to take the leap into writing their own verses. The large amount of back matter makes this a wonderful reference book and teaching tool for educators, too.