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Summary: A Delight For All Ages!
Review: Though unfortunately gone from our world, Mr. Silverstein will remain in the hearts of his fans forever. His unique style, humor and wit made Silverstein a legend to the world of poetry. I haven't read a book of his that didn't leave me in stitches! For the very young, to the young at heart, "Where the sidewalk ends" is a cartoon/literary classic...bound to make you smile. If more people had Mr. Silverstein's attitude, the world would be a much better place!
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Summary: Where the sidewalk ends, the imagination begins
Review: My mother-in-law went my 4 yr old daughter this book for Christmas. I though it would be too mature for her...boy, was I wrong. We HAVE to read at least 3 poems from this book every night now as part of our bedtime story ritual. Thank you,Mr. Silverstein, for giving her such joy. Absolutely recommend for the lyrical, whimsical fun it makes reading.
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Summary: Childhood revisited again and again!
Review: This book was read to me daily at school as a child in the early 80's. I never forgot the title of this collection nor the illustrations. This is a great piece of work and I now share it with my children. They love these poems as much as I did. Love it, love it, love it!
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Summary: A poetry book to read through and through
Review: Have you ever read a POETRY book straight through? Probably not. This is a book that you will read every page of, and enjoy it all
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Summary: Come meet Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout...
Review: Would you like to meet Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who would not take the garbage out? Or Dirty Dan, the world's dirtiest man? Accept Shel Silverstein's invitation to come inside his delightful book full of outrageous poems and drawings. The unpredictable and humorous actions of each crazy character grabs readers' attention, keeping them engrossed in each poem, and craving for more. Elementary school-aged children will fall over laughing at Peggy Ann McKay's desperate attempt to avoid school, claiming, "I have the measles and the mumps, a gash, a rash, and purple bumps. My mouth is wet, my throat is dry, I'm going blind in my right eye." Silverstein's use of rhyme and nonsense verse combined with his constant humor captures the reader. His simple pen-and-ink drawings add to the imagery presented in each poem. The reader not only sees, but feels lazy Jane's dry mouth as she waits for it to rain. The application of alliteration, assonance, and consonance makes each poem a delight to read out loud; "For I've been down to the edge of the world, sat on the edge where the wild wind whirled." Some poems not only depict an array of humorous characters, but also create touching moments and offers good advice. Silverstein suggests playing hug o' war, rather than tug o' war, and assures young readers that, "Anything can happen, child, ANYTHING can be." Children ages nine to twelve will enjoy reading these well crafted poems that portray both ludicrous and poignant messages.
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Summary: Ethics and Values via Shel Silverstein
Review: Instilling proper values in children must be done at a young age in order that these values take root and develop into a virtuous code of ethics from which the child may base his/her system of beliefs. This requires parents being disciplinarians. However, the trade-off for taking the role of disciplinarian is the diminishing of the role of friend to the child. Many people find it difficult to "nicely" enforce rules; many children find it difficult to see an "authority figure" as a "friend." Shel Silverstein provides a method of humorously teaching children not only to read and enjoy reading, but, through the deeper meanings of his poetry, also a fundamental sense of "right and wrong." Through poems such as "...Cynthia Stout...Would Not Take the Garbage Out," Silverstein comically portrays the problem Cynthia encounters by not doing her chores. While this seems to be a trivial event, and the child may find great humor in such a poem (as s/he should), parents, teachers, day-care specialists may relate the theme of this poem to different values, such as obeying one's parents, taking responsibility, or the stretch could even be made to the obligation to recycle. Through such poems as Silverstein's, adult role models may advocate for, instill, and enforce necessary values in children by making analogies between these poems and real-life situations without seeming brutish. Children may now enjoy learning about "right and wrong."
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Summary: Shel saw the light...
Review: Shel Silverstein's poetry and drawings are a bit twisted, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. He was slanted and enchanted. His poems are like looking at life through a kaleidoscope.
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Summary: A great book for poem lovers.
Review: This book is filled with poems, it contains great pictures
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Summary: Timeless, Funny and Important
Review: My only hope is that Shel Silverstein will one day be given his full credit as one of the most important poets of our (or any) time. To say that he was a mere 'childrens' poet wouldn't do the man credit. I won't go into his history, you can do that yourselves. "Where the Sidewalk Ends" is a perfect example of poetry done right. Sometimes it rhymes, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's not. But, just like Dr. Suess' books, we go back long after our 'childhood' has ended. We want to relive our childhood. There aren't enough kind words in my vocabulary to recommend this (or any of his other books) highly enough.
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Summary: Shel Silverstien writes what children want to hear!
Review: In the elementary school, I had to memorize a peom for an assignment. I loved peotry very much. My teacher offered a large supply of books, but this one caught my eye immedietly. I opened up and read the peoms many times immensly intreaged. I finally found the poem "Sick" and chose it for my assignment. I read it a thousand times, and memorized it. And since that day has remained my favorite poem.
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