I’ve discovered a new addiction – nonfiction poetry! It’s so much fun to write poems about different creatures, especially because it means I get to do one of my other favourite activities – research!
Have you met Costasiella kuroshimae? Also known as the leaf slug or leaf sheep, these teeny tiny little sea slugs are only about the size of a grain of rice, and graze on algae in warm, tropical waters. Leaf slugs aren’t just adorable, though – they’re also one of only a handful of animals that can create their own food. In a process called kelptoplasty, leaf slugs take chloroplasts from the algae they eat and use them to photosynthesize, turning sunlight into energy!
Have you been enjoying my series of ocean-themed poems? So far I’ve written about the sea pig, the vampire squid, and the star gazer, in addition to today’s adorable little friend. Who knows where this journey will lead us next?
If you’d like to dip your toes into the world of nonfiction poetry, What We Do All Day and Literacious both have great posts on the subject, filled with fantastic recommendations.
Mary Lee at A(nother) Year of Reading is our Poetry Friday host this week.
Jane, thank you for your fun and poetic introduction to the Leaf Sheep (much easier to pronounce than Costasiella Kuroshimae). It is weirdly cute!
LOVE how much fun info you packed into a poem with such great rhythm…such a joy to read aloud!!! This is amazing!!!
The LEAF SHEEP??????
Isn’t nature the funniest, cleverest, most miraculous thing????
Yay for your obsession with nonfiction poetry! I’ve loved your ocean-y offerings and who wouldn’t love this little darling? Thank you!
I had a nemesis when I was a child who put slugs in my coat hoods 😒 and I LOATHED slugs (and him) for years until I met sea slugs and now that I know they’re called LEAF SHEEP 😍all is forgiven. SO adorable!!!
(Oops – in case my computer ate that first comment – I love that they’re called leaf sheep! Thank you for teaching me something new with your poem!)
I’ve never heard of kelptoplasty. That is so interesting. I like how you can teach your kids with a poem. Well done!
Hi, Jane! I have NOT met Costasiella kuroshimae, before this post, anyway! What a strange little creature – but kinda cute, isn’t it? And fascinating life history! Thanks for sharing through your fun poem. :0)
Well, your addiction is leading to some pretty adorable poems. Carry on!
I definitely sense a picture book or collection in the making! This sea sheep is adorable!
yes…I think you have a collection in the making, jane! thanks for the links…I’m a big NF-for-kids-fan!
I’m enjoying this trip to the ocean with you, Jane. So many creatures I never knew existed. Thank you!
This is delightful, Jane! This is such a fun series. (Did you listen to the Ologies episode about nudibranchs as part of your research? So fun.)
Keep going! (Or, keep them to yourself and pitch them as a book!) Selfishly, I want to read them, but I I think these would make such a great poetry picture book.)
What a fun darling animal! I’m loving being surprised with your sea animals and their poems. Who knew?