22 Haiku Books for Kids

Learn about the best haiku books for kids, from kindergarten through upper elementary grades. Haiku poetry is fun for kids to experiment with, and these haiku books provide excellent examples of haiku poems in many different forms. Some of these books tell a story in the form of haiku poems. Others are a collection of haiku poems about everyday object, and still others offer collections of more traditional haiku nature poems. As a classroom teacher who is now a library media specialist, I have been having my students compose haiku poems for decades. Here I have compiled a list of excellent books about these fun, brief poems which originated in Japan. In addition to the list of haiku poetry books for kids, I also give a brief overview of the history of haiku poems, the guidelines to writing haiku poems, and a fabulous opportunity for students to get their haiku poems published. Read on for some haiku inspiration!

Why I Love Writing Haiku Poems

Creating this list brought back fond memories of my trip to Japan during my college years. After I returned from my trip and began my student teaching, I designed an educational unit about Japan, including lessons about origami and haiku poetry. The students had a great time learning about Japanese culture, food, the language, and the geography.

Although I am no longer a classroom teacher, I still find ways to incorporate the Japanese culture into my library lessons. Teaching students about haiku poems is one of my favorite writing activities. The kids usually compose multiple poems, then choose their best work to submit to the Young American Poetry Digest for possible publication. What a thrill it is for students to see their work in print, published in a real book. Ready to embark upon reading about haiku poems? Here are some guidelines and background to get you started.

Haiku History

According to popular lore and a variety of sources, haiku poetry originated in Japan during the 17th century, evolving from the collaborative poetic form called renga. Matsuo Bashō, a renowned poet, elevated haiku to an art form, focusing on nature and capturing moments of insight. Haiku gained international recognition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with poets like Ezra Pound popularizing it in the West. Today, haiku remains a respected literary form, celebrated for its brevity, simplicity, and connection to nature.

Haiku Guidelines

What are the 3 rules of a haiku poem? The three key rules of traditional haiku poetry (adapted for kids) are:

Syllable Structure: Haiku typically consists of three lines with a syllabic structure of 5-7-5, totaling 17 syllables. Sometimes when Japanese haiku poems are translated into English, the syllable count will be slightly different. When I have my students compose their own haiku poems, we try to stick to the syllable rules as much as possible, but you can allow flexibility in syllable count to foster creativity and prevent frustration.

Nature Exploration: Encourage kids to explore nature and observe the world around them. Haiku poetry with kids can still focus on natural themes, but it’s okay to broaden the subject matter to include everyday experiences or emotions.

Imagery and Creativity: Emphasize the use of vivid imagery and encourage kids to use their imagination. Haiku is about capturing a moment or feeling succinctly, so encourage kids to be creative and expressive in their writing while keeping the language simple and accessible. I like to ask leading questions such as, “How would that sound (or smell, or feel)?”

Haiku Poem Examples

I try to emphasize with my students that although haiku poems were originally about nature, anything (school appropriate) can be a topic for a haiku poem. Here are some simple (yes, simple, no judgement, please) haiku poem examples I wrote to illustrate the variety of topic choices.

Weeds	Pancake Stack	Bad Hair Day
Hairy bittercress	Fluffy pancakes with	Disaster! Comb, brush
Spurge, curly vetch, and crabgrass	Melted butter and syrup	Hair spray, hair pins, more hairspray
I will get you yet.	A delicious feast	Oh, look! All is well.

 

Haiku Books for Kids in Primary Grades

These haiku poem books for kids in primary grades cover a wide range of topics.

“Climbing the Volcano: A Journey in Haiku” by Curtis Manley: Experience the excitement and adventure of climbing a volcano through beautiful haiku poetry that captures the journey’s essence.

“My Mindful A to Zen: 26 Wellbeing Haiku for Happy Little Minds” by Krina Patel-Sage: Delight in 26 haiku poems that promote mindfulness and wellbeing, perfect for young readers to learn about self-care.

“What Makes a Good Bed?: A Book of Haiku” (Aha! Readers) by Caitlyn Foster: Explore the world of haiku poetry while pondering what truly makes a good bed for all kinds of animals and people as well.

“Whooo-Ku Haiku: A Great Horned Owl Story” by Maria Gianferrari: Follow the captivating tale of a great horned owl and owlets through charming haiku poetry that brings the story to life.

“Lion of the Sky: Haiku for All Seasons” by Laura Purdie Salas: Immerse yourself in the beauty of haiku poetry riddles celebrating the changing seasons and the majesty of the natural world.

“The Horse’s Haiku” by Michael J. Rosen: Gallop through the pages of this delightful book filled with haiku poetry capturing the spirit and grace of horses.

“Boo! Haiku” by Deanna Caswell: Get ready for a spooktacular journey through haiku poetry celebrating all things Halloween, from bats to skeletons and everything in between.

“Guess Who, Haiku!” by Deanna Caswell: Enjoy a playful guessing game as you read haiku poems that provide clues about various animals, encouraging young readers to guess who each poem describes.

“The Year Comes Round: Haiku Through the Seasons” (AV2 Fiction Readalongs) by Sid Farrar: Experience the passing of time and the beauty of each season through 12 evocative haiku poems that capture the essence of nature’s cyclical journey.

“Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys” by Bob Raczka: Boys will find themselves captivated by this collection of haiku poems that explore a year’s worth of adventures, from outdoor escapades to moments of reflection.

“Dogku” by Andrew Clements: This is a story told in haiku form about a stray dog finding a home, written by a master storyteller. My students love this book!

“Hi, Koo! A Year of Seasons” by Jon J. Muth: Join Koo the panda on a journey through the seasons, exploring the wonders of nature through the art of haiku poetry and colorful illustrations. This offers my students great haiku poetry inspiration.

Haiku Books for Kids in Middle Grades

In addition to haiku poetry examples, some of these titles for middle grade students also offer tips for composing haiku poems.

“Haiku, Ew! Celebrating the Disgusting Side of Nature” by Lynn Brunelle: Join in on a hilarious exploration of nature’s gross but fascinating side through haiku poetry.

“Haiku Poems” (Big Buddy Books: Poetry Power) by Ruthie Van Oosbree: Dive into the world of haiku poetry with this engaging book that introduces readers to the art of crafting haiku, accompanied by vibrant illustrations and creative prompts.

“Trees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves” by Sally M. Walker: Explore the beauty and majesty of trees through haiku poetry that takes readers on a journey from the roots deep underground to the leaves rustling in the breeze.

“Out of This World: Star-Studded Haiku” by Sally M. Walker: Embark on a celestial adventure with this collection of haiku poetry inspired by the wonders of the universe, from twinkling stars to distant galaxies.

“Earth Verse: Haiku from the Ground Up” by Sally M. Walker: Delve into the natural world with this collection of haiku poems that celebrate the earth’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems, from mountains to deserts to oceans.

“Write Your Own Haiku: See the World Through ‘Haiku Eyes’—Write Poetry in the Japanese Tradition” by Patricia Donegan: Learn the art of crafting haiku poetry and discover how to view the world with “haiku eyes” through this comprehensive guide filled with writing exercises and inspirational examples.

“The Maine Coon’s Haiku and Other Poems for Cat Lovers” by Michael J. Rosen: Cat lovers will delight in this charming collection of haiku and other poems celebrating the quirks and charms of feline companions, accompanied by whimsical illustrations.

Read, Recite, and Write Haiku“” (Poet’s Workshop) by Joann Macken: Develop your haiku-writing skills with this interactive book that guides readers through the process of reading, reciting, and composing haiku poetry, complete with writing prompts and activities.

“Haiku Poetry Basics” by Valerie Bodden: Learn the fundamentals of haiku poetry, including its history, structure, and themes, through this accessible guide that provides aspiring poets with the tools they need to create their own haiku masterpieces.

“Haiku Hike” by Massachusetts St. Mary’s Catholic School: Take a literary journey through nature with this collection of haiku poems written by students, inspired by their experiences exploring the outdoors during a hike.

More Haiku Resources

If students are able to print out their haiku poems, a fun website is Haiku Poem Interactive. Students compose their haiku poem online, then are able to choose from a variety of decorative backgrounds to make a poster of their work.

Writing haiku poetry is a great opportunity to introduce kids to using a thesaurus to find synonyms to fit a desired syllable count. There are a number of online thesaurus sites to choose from, including KidThesaurus.com (less useful now that many words require site membership) and the Merriam-Webster online thesaurus.