Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?

Rating:
Summary: "And he is easy to love" -- as is this whimsical book.
Review: I adore rhinos. A "cheap" rhinoceros -- well, there is no such thing, which is one of the tell-tale signs that Silverstein is up to his wonderful, tender, down-to-earth antics. ... It's a read-aloud book, so you can share your view of the world with them and vice versa. A great, honest book from one of our most honest children's writers. You'll love rhinos even more after reading the book with your kids (or, as an adult, with those you love or even by yourself). Now, if you're concerned by what other reviewers have written, read on; if not, stop here!

Let's not go too deep here; if we want literary criticism, one could argue that Shel's objectifying a living creature -- one that may soon be extinct! Rhinos are poached for their horn (among other things), after all, and the rhino in Silverstein's book is often used as an object.

But I don't think that's Silverstein's point; in fact, it's the exact opposite -- how fun to have a friend with whom you can play pirates and "good guy-bad guy" and all kinds of other fun pretend stuff and who will help you out just as you help him -- in short, a friend who is with you through thick and thin, good and bad. We should all be so lucky.

Two key lines that helped me survive college come from this book. "He is awfully good for yelling at . . ." is one, and I'm tearing up (really!) just remembering the line. It's not fair that our rhino friend be the brunt of our sadness or anger, but as a friend he's willing to take it. And then, immediately following, is the book's sweet ending: " . . . and he is easy to love." That's what human relationships are all about: sometimes we give of ourselves as little more than a foot stool; we try to protect the ones we love; sometimes we let our friends yell at us because they have stuff to get off their chest; and always, always, because we give of ourselves, we are easy to love.

I've written a lot into this (always do), but it's a simple book with some complex stuff lurking under the surface. I mean, all the great children's authors, from Frank Baum to Maurice Sendak to William Steig, write books that appeal to all ages -- kids take the story on a "surface" level, whereas adults (like me) read subtext into the story. Please don't be scared of this book!! Embrace it, just as you would a cheap rhinoceros. None of us are cheap, and that's just where Silverstein leads us.

Rating:
Summary: I Want a Cheap Rhinoceros!
Review: In this Shel Silverstin sleeper (not one of his best-known books), the value of owning a rhinoceros is illustrated on each page in the most delightful black and white drawings. It seems a rhino can double as a table lamp, keep one warm at night (although a rhino lying on one's body at night can be a bit smothering), play jump rope, keep one's angry parents at bay if one has been naughty, and so many other things.

We also find out that rhinos are not partial to bathing, and although they will allow themselves to dress up as a girl for Halloween, it's not a favorite with the average male rhino.

By the time this book is over, your kids will be clamoring to go to the store and buy a rhinoceros--and who can blame them! I want one too!

Rating:
Summary: Disapointing from a great author
Review: This looks like another great Silverstein book saved from the obscurity of being first copyrighted in 1964, but perhaps it should have stayed there, as one particular page ruins the whole book. A rhino is good for many things, but I could never read to a young child that "he is great for not letting your mother hit you when you haven't really done anything bad."

Since mothers shouldn't be hitting their kids in their first place, and certainly not for no reason, I'm having trouble with this as appropriate to read to kids, especially when there are so many other great books to read instead.

Rating:
Summary: Just plain fun.
Review: Yes it's plain - loose line drawings, and a sentence or half on each page. But it's fun. There's imagination, play, friendship, and everything else you want a "read to me" kid to hear and see.

No big lessons, just a bit of happy goofiness. I want more.

//wiredweird