Polka Dot Poems: 100 Weird and Wonderful Nature Haiku

This is a delightful poetry book celebrating the wonder of the natural world. Its subject matter includes plants, natural features, weather and animals from the more familiar (such as toads and hedgehogs) to the lesser- known (such as axolotl and gerenuk).

The haiku like format is used very skilfully producing beautifully written gems with alliteration and some lovely imagery; a bubble is described as ‘gentleness afloat’.

This collection is full of musings and interesting perspectives, a rainbow is described as ‘a bright ribbon of rippling polka dots’ giving the book its title. There are questions posed and humorous asides, for example what might happen if a porcupine’s quills were filled with ink?

Each short poem is given plenty of space, often the sole occupant of a double page spread or paired thematically – seed with root and cloud with rain.  The illustrations are joyous, with lively artwork well matched to the poetry.

The back of the book includes amazing facts about a number of the more unusual animals mentioned. There is helpful and amusing advice such as not to try racing a Patagonian Mara or play mud games with a Babirusa. A map on the end papers shows readers where in the world these creatures might be found.

With lots of information and hugely enjoyable poetry, this book would make a great addition to a library or school collection and is likely to inspire fascination, awe and wonder about the variety of life in the natural world.