Shel SilversteinCritiques

"Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein is a captivating collection of poems and drawings that has enchanted readers since its publication, serving as a gateway to a world where imagination and reality blend seamlessly.

This book is a treasure trove of wit, wisdom, and whimsy, presenting a range of themes from the mundane to the fantastical, all approached with Silverstein's signature blend of humour, tenderness, and a dash of the absurd. The poems traverse the spectrum of childhood experiences and emotions, from the joy of catching a whale with a small fishing hook to the reflective quiet of watching shadows grow into the night.

Silverstein's artful drawings complement his verses perfectly, adding a visual layer that enriches the poetic experience. His ability to address complex emotions and ideas in a simple, accessible manner makes this collection a profound experience for readers of all ages.

"Where the Sidewalk Ends" invites us to look beyond the concrete of our everyday lives and find the endless possibilities that imagination can offer, making it a timeless classic that continues to inspire wonder and delight in the hearts of those who journey through its pages.½

"A Light in the Attic" by Shel Silverstein stands as a monument in children's literature, showcasing a brilliant collection of poetry that sparkles with imagination, wit, and a delightful sense of whimsy. Silverstein's unique blend of humour and insight strikes a chord with both young readers and adults, navigating through themes of childhood, playfulness, and the oddities of life with a gentle, thoughtful touch.

The poems are beautifully complemented by Silverstein's distinctive line drawings, which capture the essence of each poem, enhancing the reader's imagination and adding a layer of visual storytelling. This collection invites readers into a whimsical world where the mundane becomes extraordinary, encouraging a sense of wonder and curiosity.

Silverstein’s mastery in turning simple observations into profound reflections on life and human nature is evident throughout the book, making "A Light in the Attic" not merely a book of poems for children but a cherished volume of timeless verses that resonate with all ages, inspiring laughter, reflection, and a deep-seated love for the magic of words.½

This book is my American childhood. This is every afternoon at school, from kindergarten in 1977 to third grade in 1980, sitting on the floor in a semi-circle around various teachers (respected Mrs Case, beloved Mrs Sobel, unlovely and feared Mrs Baumgartner, glorious, worshipped Mizz Grundy) and hearing all about Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout. I can hear my esteemed 6-year-old colleague Patrick reading "What a Day" in high-pitched, giggling mid-western drawl. I remember feeling so sorry for the Australian kids I met when we returned to Melbourne in 1980. I went into Grade 4 and they'd never heard of [a:Shel Silverstein|435477|Shel Silverstein|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1201029128p2/435477.jpg]! Poor deprived mites. They'd got [a:May Gibbs|126595|May Gibbs|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-e0ba3b90c110cd67123d6a850d85373e.png]. Urgh. Give me the subversive Mr Silverstein any day.

Independent Reading Level: Grades: 1-3
Awards: The American Library Association Notable Children's Book awards, the New York Times Best Illustrated Children's book Award, and the Booklist editors choice award.

ages 5+
Golden Archer Award (Wisconsin)
Amazon.com Customers’ Favorite
New York Times Notable
New York Times Outstanding Book
ALA Notable Children’s Book
George C. Stone Center for Children's Books Recognition of Merit Award

Independent Reading Level: 2nd-5th grade.

I love this book. I memorized SICK when I was in school and recited it. My copy I've had since Dec 1990 and it is inscribed as a gift to me:
"To JeriLynn [sp] May your life be filled with happiness! We love you, Joe, Judy & Marie"

Independent reading level: Grades 2-5
New York Times Outstanding Book Award Winner (1974).

Independent Reading Level: Grade 5
Awards: none

independent reading level: grade 4-5, ages 9-12
awards:
Golden Archer Award (Wisconsin)
Amazon.com Customers’ Favorite
New York Times Notable
New York Times Outstanding Book
ALA Notable Children’s Book
George C. Stone Center for Children's Books Recognition of Merit Award

Reading level Prek-2
Awards Growing Good Kids Book Award (Classics)
Kid's Choice Award (Nominee – Favorite Book – 2006)
Tree Parade (2008)

- k - 4th
- This is a very well written story about a piece that is trying to become whole. The story focuses on friendship, perseverance, and the beauty in the journey. I would read this as a read aloud and have it in my library.

The Giving Tree is a story about the special bond between a boy and a tree. Throughout the boy's life, the tree selflessly gives him everything he needs, from shade and apples to wood for building a house and a boat. As the boy grows older, he returns to the tree for more and more, until there is nothing left but a stump. Despite giving everything it had, the tree is happy because it could make the boy happy. In the classroom, The Giving Tree can be used to spark discussions about friendship, empathy, and respecting the environment.

Independent Reading Level: 2nd-3rd grade
Awards: N/A

This book is truly for all ages! From K-adults, this book is for everyone. It encompasses an array of different kinds of poems including humor, and depth, with fun illustrations, there is something for everyone in this book!

I thought this was a good book to have in a library if the collection is in need of more children's poetry.

For poetry month and beyond, this will have children laughing out loud. Some highlights were "Boa Constrictor", "Cynthia Sylvia Stout...", "Hector the Collector", and "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too".
The students imagined where Ickle Me and friends went, and what they saw. They enjoyed sharing their imaginative responses.

This is a beautiful book. Teachers and parents can use this book to teach so many things... friendship, kindness, stewardship, character traits, inferencing...etc. I love using this book to spark discussions about enjoying nature as spring arrives.
For some lesson ideas:
https://www.shelsilverstein.com/learning-resources/

Happy Reading!

A deeply moving book that teaches valuable lessons about love, selflessness, and gratitude.

Pretty Interesting book. Illustrations looks a bit creepy for kids. The poems are really good and make sense. The drawings are also really good sketched out. Words in the book are small for a kid to follow. Maybe a good book for older children, and will be able to understand poetry.

This book would be good for intermediate students. This book is "Where the Sidewalk Ends" written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein and published in 1974. This book is a long book with so many amazing poems about almost anything you can think of. The poems are all so good and I love the illustrations. They are black and white so not distracting, but they are so imaginative and silly still. Great book to read aloud when learning about poetry.

This simple yet profound story of a piece in search for its missing piece is touching and can be perceived in many ways. Its fun comic style illustrations enhance its simplicity, and the humor is perfect for all ages!

A collection of all different length poems ranging from absolutely nonsense to deep and meaningful. This book was a childhood favorite of mine and my sisters along with his other three and can recite his Knock Knock poem almost word for word. A great book for poetry to show how fun and silly poetry can be while still being engaging and thought provoking. Can be used across many different grade levels and a great addition to any classroom.

In this Shel Silverstein book, there is an amazing collection of poetry that is good for all ages. Each poem in this book is entertaining, humorous and unique. This is a great book to pull from when introducing poetry, and the creativity that can be explored. This book has so many fun poems making it fun for anyone to enjoy.

This book would be good for primary students. I really liked how it touched on themes of giving, kindness through the friendship of a tree and a boy. Every time the boy needed something, the tree would give a part of itself to the boy throughout his life until he grew old when the only thing the tree could give was its stump as a seat. I think that this is an important book for students to read for them to understand what it means to be generous.