Fairy Tale Haiku -- 41

Cuchulain: Fiery Cuchulainn Boils the sea during his bath And blinds with his light

Fairy Tale Haiku -- 40

The Tin Soldier: Soldier of one leg -- Loves to his death the dancer -- Who on one leg twirls

Bonus Poem

Because this is National Poetry Month, I am posting a bonus poem. First, a little explanation. A few weeks ago, my neighbor stopped by while I was making non-boxed macaroni and cheese. After that, she thought I could cook. I didn't have the heart to disillusion her, or maybe I just enjoyed being thought more clever than I actually am. Anyway, it did prompt a new reverso.


Macaroni and cheese
Does make
A good chef

A good chef
Does not make
Macaroni and cheese

Fairy Tale Haiku -- 39

Mider, Eochaid and Etain

Irish God and King
Play chess for a single prize:
The hand of Etain

Book 107

Mary Poppins, written by P.L. Travers. illustrated by Mary Shepard, Harcourt Book 1931

I've talked about, and recommended, this book so often that I can't believe I haven't reviewed it before now. But I haven't. So here is the review: I love this book!

More specifically, I love how this book is written. If you ever have had a three-yeard-old, you probably know they will not sit still through an entire children's novel, nor will they follow the thread of a story from one night to the next. A book in which each chapter tells a complete story and tell a larger story on the whole is an entirely different matter. Add to that the wonderful illustrations of Mary Shepard -- daughter of E. H. Shepard -- and you have a delightfully charming children's book.

Don't look for the penguin waiters, runaway carousel horses or rooftop dances scenes -- Yeah, I love that about the movie, too -- but the chapter on the dancing cow will more than make up for it, I promise.


*For other reviews, please see my companion blog: Book I Buy and Why

Fairy Tale Haiku -- 38

I've been goofing off on the computer today instead of doing laundry. (Darn that new facebook account!). So to redeem myself, I'm posting my poem of the week early:


Frog at the Well

Like the Frog Prince, but
Lost mother, not golden ball,
Stirs girl to kiss frog

Book 106

Ten in the Bed by Jane Cabrera, Holiday House 2010

This is another book that my little always picks out for himself, so I would guess that makes this a perfect book for a toddler/preschooler.

You probably remember the song from your childhood -- if not the tune is simple and easy to pick up -- but Jane Cabrera changes the words a bit. For example, the first one out of bed is the snorer -- Hooray! Those slight changes in the text make for some fun illustrations.


*For other reviews, please see Books I Buy and Why

Fairy Tale Haiku -- 37

Angus and Caer

Son of King loses
Heart to Swan-maiden. Then he
Loses human form