Today is International Haiku Poetry day! In honor of that, I’m sharing a beautiful book, H is for Haiku; A Treasury of Haiku From A to Z by Sydell Rosenberg, illustrated by Sawsan Chalabi.
The book is a delightful exploration of the alphabet through Haiku. Each page explores a moment in time with lovely, lyrical and luscious language.
Colorful, playful illustrations complement the poetic text. The illustrations feature whimsical word art that enhances the reading experience. One of my favorite haiku’s in the book skillfully describes children walking in the rain:
“Holding umbrellas
Children, like rows of mushrooms,
Glisten in the rain.”
Reading this book inspired me and my children to write our own Haiku’s. From my 7 year old, Sammy:

Gumball machine pops!
Fifteen balls make chipmunk cheeks.
I blow a bubble.
©Sammy Call 2018
What is your favorite poetry book?
[Giveaway ended on April 24, 2018]
From the Penny Candy Press Release:
In H Is For Haiku the late poet Rosenberg, a charter member of the Haiku Society of America and a New York City public school teacher, and illustrator Chalabi offer an A-Z compendium of haiku that brings out the fun and poetry in everyday moments.
H Is For Haiku introduces young readers to the short Japanese poetic form of haiku and includes helpful notes by the author’s daughter as well as by the author herself.

SYDELL ROSENBERG (1929-1996) lived, wrote and taught in New York City. Syd was a charter member of the Haiku Society of America in 1968 and served as HSA’s Secretary in 1975. Her short poems – notably haiku and senryu – as well as other poetry, were published in various magazines and anthologies. Syd received her M.A. in English as a Second Language from Hunter College in 1972. It was Syd’s dream to publish a book of haiku for children.
What a wonderful book! And I think Sammy should write a book of his own haiku poems! Thanks for sharing this, Kirsti!
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Since I was born and brought up in France I’ve only read French poetry. My favorite poet remains Baudelaire and Les Fleurs du Mal my favorite book.
I envy poets who can say so much with so few words, particulary with haiku. I will tell of this book to a friend of mine who’s a huge fan of haiku.
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I love this and can’t wait to read it! Who knew there was a Haiku day?
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I know! It’s wonderful, isn’t it?
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I’ll leave a comment
For the chance to get a book
I guess I’m greedy
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ha! It’s never greedy to want a great book!
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nice haiku!!!
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I love haiku for bringing me back to the present moment.
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I am so excited about this book. Congratulations!
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Yay!
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I sent it out on my Twitter and Facebook accounts. Can’t wait to read it. Unbeknownst to me, I’m co-presenting a Haiku class focused on the spiritual practice of haiku so close to International Haiku Poetry day. Way cool. Thanks for sharing!
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Yay! Fantastic!
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I love haiku! Sounds like a terrific book, one that I would love to own. Thanks for telling us about it. I’ll share this post on my FB account also.
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Fantastic!
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I’m a sucker for Shel Silverstein. And I love that his poetry is like a gateway for kids to more poetry.
And I’m totally sharing this post on my FB feed and I want it for my school’s library! I do a haiku unit with first grade!
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Yay!
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