a blizzard in May,
cottonwoods are cottoning;
warm flakes unmelting
~ by Angie Quantrell
Welcome to May cottonwood season! No deep breaths, wide open mouths, or keeping fluffs away from your face. Still digging out!
Wednesday is the Happy Hump Day Haiku Challenge! I’d love to read your Haiku, especially if it revolves around nature, kids, or family.
Happy Hump Day!
In memory of those who have served our country, and fallen.
For those who have served, but returned home and have since gone to their eternal rest.
Stories told, remembrances shared, appreciation given, love passed on.
For loved ones still alive in our memories, photo albums, portraits, and hearts.
The torch is still being relayed.
We remember.
From the bottom of our hearts and freedom-filled lives, we thank you.
Thank you.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 NLT
Bill, Kenneth, Bill, Buster, Ray, Eddie, Larry, Keith, . . .
In memory of your loved ones, please add the names of service men and women who have passed away. For Memorial Day.
goldfish
by Angie Quantrell
crunchy goldfish swim
wet mouthful of cheese and salt
disintegrating
*Inspired by certain grands who love goldfish crackers, despite the spewing of soggy bits as they graze through a bag.
Haiku Challenge:
Do you love to write Haiku? Join me! I’d love to read your poems. Silly, serious, sage…one and all.
***Family friendly, please!
H is For Haiku, A Treasury of Haiku From A to Z
By Sydell Rosenberg
Illustrated by Sawsan Chalabi
(Penny Candy Books, 2018)
H is For Haiku is the lovely result of the imaginative, creative, and lyrical work of Sydell Rosenberg, mother of Amy Losak.
In honor of her mother, Amy Losak pursued the publication of her mother’s Haiku. Syd, one of the first members of the Haiku Society of America, dreamed of publishing a book for children focused on Haiku.
Haiku, a form of poetry, originated in Japan. Most readers recognize Haiku for the strict syllable count used for each of the three lines (most often 5-7-5) in a Haiku poem. Haiku is way to recognize the small things of nature and life-wonderful, amazing, poetic, and awe-inspiring.
“What’s most important about writing haiku is to focus on those many small moments we may overlook and make them special.” -Amy Losak
Beautifully illustrated, H is For Haiku brought a smile to my face with every new alphabet letter and corresponding Haiku. I enjoyed clever phrases, rich language, and observations of the natural life around us.
Well done, Sydell Rosenberg! Great job, Sawsan Chalabi! Amy Losak, I’m so glad you stuck with it and had H is For Haiku published. This book is a gift for us, if we but take the time to read and ponder.
KID KANDY:
Write Your Own Haiku Poem
1. Read H is for Haiku. Notice the clever words and illustrations. Both help tell the story of the Haiku.
2. Take a notepad and pencil outside. Spend time observing the nature around you. Focus on the small things you see. As you look, write down words that come to your mind. A parent or older sibling can help with this part.
3. Do you know what a syllable is? Clap your name. For me, I clap twice: An gie. 2 syllables. Practice with some other words.
4. Haiku is a poem with 3 lines. Each line has a certain syllable count: 5-7-5
5. Some people are not very strict with keeping the exact syllable counts, but it’s good practice as you learn the format for a Haiku poem.
6. Choose something you observed to be the subject of your Haiku. What do you want to say? Write down the words you want to use. Play with the words. Count out syllables. You can write ANYTHING you want in your Haiku poem.
7. Print your Haiku poem on clean paper. Add an illustration! Share it with a friend or family member! OR ME!!!
Here’s a silly Haiku I just wrote:
Upside down spider
Climbing, webbing, catching food
Don’t drop on my head!
Scone
maple icing treat
warm from oven, coffee too
yearning for a taste
Welcome to Hump Day Haiku!
Everybody loves Hump Day – Wednesday! Otherwise known as half the week is gone, we’re over the hump, and we’re so close to the weekend we can taste it.
If you enjoy Haiku, join in by sharing a Happy Hump Day Haiku.
Reading.
Forgetting to respond.
Thinking I responded. But didn’t.
Getting interrupted mid-text and wandering off.
Comprehending (or not) texting shortcuts and abbreviations.
Misunderstandings.
Autocorrect.
Hitting send too early.
Emojis that don’t mean what you think they mean.
Fat fingers.
Replying to the wrong person.
Once said, always said. Leaving a virtual paper trail.
Screenshots.
Cyber vs face-to-face relationships
In light of these snafus:
Read twice. Send once.
To me. Just do it. READ twice. Send once.
Nature’s Lullaby Fills the Night
By Dee Leone
Illustrated by Bali Engel
(Sterling Children’s Books, 2018)
I won a copy of Nature’s Lullaby Fills the Night from KIDLIT411. Thanks, Sylvia and Elaine!
Nature’s Lullaby Fills the Night is the perfect bedtime – or anytime – read aloud! Peaceful rhyme tells the story of nature getting ready to go to sleep. Animals, plants, and other beauties prepare and nestle in for a good nights’ sleep. The illustrations, set in gorgeous deep blues and purples highlighted by nighttime light, perfectly match the winding down of the day.
I’ve totally enjoyed reading Nature’s Lullaby Fills the Night. Now, on to share it with the littles in my life. Thanks for the beautiful book, Dee and Bali!
KID KANDY:
Nighttime Painting
Materials: watercolor paints, brushes, water, crayons, heavy paper
1. Read Nature’s Lullaby Fills the Night. Notice the colors used in the illustrations. What’s your favorite page (animal, plant, setting)?
2. Use crayons to draw a nature picture. Include the moon and stars.
3. Paint over the drawing with darker colors like purple, blue, and black.
Ta-da! You have your own nighttime illustration!
Did you know that:
So go ahead, enjoy those dried-up markers, clay tiles, rocks, branches, and benches. I love watching my grands explore, create, make a mess, and explore. Me? Not a care in the world since it all washes off.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
By Dusti Bowling
(Sterling Children’s Books, 2017)
I won a copy of Dusti Bowling’s chapter book Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus from Literary Rambles.
What first attracted me to this book was the title. I could just imagine what type of events a cactus would stoically attend, though I knew the book was not about those fascinating plants.
What attracted me next were the characters and the setting. Having grown up in Arizona, I looked forward to reading a book set in the starkly dry and hot desert. The book has a captivating cast of diverse characters. I loved reading of friends Aven (born without arms) and Conner (spits at people when he eats) and how they manage their disabilities. The strength and courage of Aven compelled me to cheer for her and will inspire others who struggle with any type of disability. Family issues, a mystery discovered in an old out building, and facing ones’ own fears come together in a nicely written page-turner.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus is a great read for any young (or old) person. Compassion, understanding, and acceptance of diversity will develop as readers live alongside Aven and Conner. I found that Bowlings’ book gave me the viewpoint of someone living with challenges and how they faced daily life and difficult situations. Readers will see that they can do anything if they put their mind to it!
Well done and great read!
Love, Laughter, and Life 