Falling Up

Rating:
Summary: Humor for parents and children to enjoy together
Review: Shel Silverstein looks at the world through a child's eyes and then answers some of the questions that a child would want to ask. The answers are not all "rosy" in the way that some adults would like to respond to the questions of children. Some of his work has been criticized as not being appropriate for children. I would disagree because the poem outcomes are so ludicrous and the humorous intent so obvious that a child old enough to understand the poem would understand the comic intent behind the poem. Silverstein writes about typical fears of childhood including being afraid of the dark, ferocious monsters and getting into trouble with the teacher. I think that is exactly why children do like to read his poems. Silverstein writes poems about ordinary things in life seen through a different perspective. The descriptive language in the poems appeal to children. Silverstein uses lots of rhymes, simple words, simple themes and interesting character names to draw the reader into the subject. Silverstein has an "off-the-wall" humor that makes the reader wonder what will be on the next page. One of the benefits of exposure to descriptive language for children is that it causes them to think about language as a tool. They can use it, twist it and bend it to suit their purposes. It shows children that they can have fun with words. This is a message that is important for students in the primary grades. You have to be a manipulator of the language in order to be a successful writer. The appeal of these poems is the humor and their ability to interest and entertain both children and adults. We know that children who have rich literature experiences at home have an advantage when they go to school. Parents who enjoy reading will read more to their children. They will also pass on a love of words and an attitude towards reading that will stay with their child. I think we need more books like "Falling Up" that parents, teachers and children can enjoy together.

Rating:
Summary: Humor for parents and children to enjoy together
Review: Shel Silverstein looks at the world through a child's eyes and then answers some of the questions that a child would want to ask. The answers are not all "rosy" in the way that some adults would like to respond to the questions of children. Some of his work has been criticized as not being appropriate for children. I would disagree because the poem outcomes are so ludicrous and the humorous intent so obvious that a child old enough to understand the poem would understand the comic intent behind the poem. Silverstein writes about typical fears of childhood including being afraid of the dark, ferocious monsters and getting into trouble with the teacher. I think that is exactly why children do like to read his poems. Silverstein writes poems about ordinary things in life seen through a different perspective. The descriptive language in the poems appeal to children. Silverstein uses lots of rhymes, simple words, simple themes and interesting character names to draw the reader into the subject. Silverstein has an "off-the-wall" humor that makes the reader wonder what will be on the next page. One of the benefits of exposure to descriptive language for children is that it causes them to think about language as a tool. They can use it, twist it and bend it to suit their purposes. It shows children that they can have fun with words. This is a message that is important for students in the primary grades. You have to be a manipulator of the language in order to be a successful writer. The appeal of these poems is the humor and their ability to interest and entertain both children and adults. We know that children who have rich literature experiences at home have an advantage when they go to school. Parents who enjoy reading will read more to their children. They will also pass on a love of words and an attitude towards reading that will stay with their child. I think we need more books like "Falling Up" that parents, teachers and children can enjoy together.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent use of humor, the English language and lessons.
Review: Shel Silverstein makes great use of the English language in this whitty collection of poems. Many of his poems capture the curiosity and lack of knowledge that very small children possess. He also points out ways that kids understand some things better than many adults. What a joy to read!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: THE JOY OF POETRY
Review: Shel Silverstein's FALLING UP is a collection of 144 poems that will appeal particularly to individuals in grades 3-6 and poetry aficionados of all ages. Utilizing rhythm, rhyme, and wordplay as an accomplished painter wields a brush, Silverstein has created a collection of poems that are as varied as the colors on an artist's palette. Silverstein's offerings range from the two-line verse "Stone Airplane" to the two-page composition "The Nap Taker." His dramatic and distinctive line drawings add to the book's appeal and prove to be much more than superfluous illustrations. Many serve as integral connections between text and comprehension, often clarifying a poem's message with visual imagery. While readers may chuckle at the verse in "Hungry Kid Island," they will roar with laughter when they study the poem's illustration: a wind-blown figure laboriously rowing toward a huge child--with trees for hair and lips smacking in hungry anticipation--who lies submerged beneath the waves that convey the rower's small craft. Often lyric, often laconic, the poems in this collection offer readers a taste of Silverstein's trademark outlandish sense of humor and whimsical view of life.

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Summary: The funny poems & drawings made me LOVE it!!
Review: Shel Silverstien is one of my favorite authors. I love all of his books and recommend them to kids & audults of all ages.

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Summary: Shel Silverstein Rocks!
Review: Shel Silvertein's book Falling Up was the second of his books I ever recieved. (The first was The Giving Tree.) I loved it so much that I read it cover to cover in less than a day! His book has inspired me to write silly poems of my own. I look at his works for reference when I write school asignments because they give me great ideas. I now have all of his poem books and would reconmend each and every one (Where the Sidewalk Ends, and A Light in the Attic). His works should be spread across the nation to young and old alike. Read his poems and thank me later!

Rating:
Summary: wonderfully comical
Review: silverstein as always grabs the interest of young readers with his silly words and phrases.

Rating:
Summary: the best
Review: since I was a little girl,I always wanted my mother to read me this book. It was full of deleight and surprises, I enjoyed it alot.when she finished 1 poem, I would always ask her to read another after another.Truly, this is a book that everyone should read and have.I have the entire collection of Shel Silverstein books.He has a very special talent in writing, I have always admired him.His books are one of a kind.

Rating:
Summary: ... wonderfully entertaining ...
Review: The Boys (9 & 12 years) and I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will be acquiring more Shel Silverstein books. We have read this book at least half a dozen times, and will read it several more times.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful, but seriously marred by poor grammar and diction
Review: The deliberate misuse of language is delightful, but in many places the sloppy grammar and usage tends to mar an otherwise quality piece of writing. When I present a book to my children I want it to be correctly done because such books become models of language, and children accept them as proper. I don't want to mislead a child for example to believe that a given usage is correct just because it is in an otherwise delightful and well done work. In this book, pronouns turn up in the wrong case or do not agree with their antecedents and diction is totally incorrect, as in the use of "laying" for "lying." This is unfortunate and jarring to say the least. However, if you are not too picky about these things, I would still recommend the book. It is mischievous, original, utterly delightful in every other way.