What You Need to Know:
• Where the Sidewalk Ends is a collection of children's poetry.
• Amusing black-and-white illustrations complement each poem.
• Fans of Shel Silverstein’s work will enjoy his other books, including A Light in the Attic.
• This 30th Anniversary special edition includes 12 new poems at the end.
• Check out shelsilverstein.com for kids' games and ideas for teachers and parents.
• Some of the poems may raise questions with younger readers so they are best read with an adult.
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Sweet Book Summary:
This book could make any kid a lover of poetry. The poems are silly, goofy, funny, and surprising. At the same time, they are infinitely clever and thought-provoking. They touch upon familiar things like holidays, ice cream, a snowman, and fishing, but often with a subtle twist at the end. For example, in his poem Alice, he says,
"She drank from a bottle called DRINK ME
And up she grew so tall,
She ate from a plate called TASTE ME
And down she shrank so small.
And so she changed, while other folks
Never tried nothin' at all."
Whether it's a an unusual take on a storybook character, a shadow that shrinks in the wash, a romance between a turtle and a bagpipe, or the possibilities of a world gone crazy, Shel Silverstein's poems are sure to inspire readers, both young and old. Although most will end in laughter, poems like Dreadful which begins with, "Someone ate the baby..." may have your kids asking you what exactly was going on in Shel Silverstein's head! I've been reading Where the Sidewalk Ends with my 10 year-old son recently, and I'm sure that he has wondered that on a few occasions. But, when I hear his nightly request, "Mom, are we going to read Shel?", I know that whether these poems evoke smiles, frowns or questions, the moments with us and Shel Silverstein are going to last a lifetime. |
Author: Shel Silverstein Illustrator: Shel Silverstein Published: 2004, 192 pages
Themes: Excellent Read-Aloud, Humor, Imagination, Poetry, Reference, Rhyming Language |
Sweet Discussion Questions:
• Do you have a favorite Shel Silverstein poem? Which one?
• If you were going to write your own poem, what subject would you choose?
• Pick one poem that you think sounds best when read aloud.
• Which poem best describes your feelings or something that has happened to you?
• What role do the illustrations play in your enjoyment or understanding of the poems?
• Are the poems different when read aloud versus to yourself?
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| This recommendation was written by: Melissa G. |
| Support Independent Book Shops: Click Here to Buy this Book on IndieBound |
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