Reviews (48)

So many good memories.
My grandmother bought this book for me when I was six years old, and I spent countless hours laughing at the poetry and looking at the illustrations. A wonderful book, definitely; very humorous, a great gift for any child. :) I cannot pick my favorite poem from this book, they are all so hilarious; the time spent reading these stories with my mother, grandparents, or friends when I was a child, is priceless.

Another blast from the past for me...
I absolutely adore these drawings and poems - I have been reading and giggling and remembering my own childhood when I giggled and laughed at them... My kids both laughed and laughed when I read them to them - and my 18 year old daughter had to show them all to her friends. This is a just an adorable book and well worth the money for the kid at heart or by age!

Book Review for a Light in th Attic
Hi, my name is Dusty McGruder and I read the book A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein.This book is a book of poetry so there is not really a main plot, setting, conflict, or resolution.However, there are sometimes plots, settings, conflicts, and resolutions for each individual poem.
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Subjects:  1. 20th Century American Poetry    2. American poetry    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children's poetry    5. Children's poetry, American    6. Children: Grades 3-4    7. Humor - General    8. Humorous poetry    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Poetry - Humorous    11. English    12. Fiction    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Humorous    14. USA   

Editorial Review

To say that this particular apple tree is a "giving tree" is an understatement. In Shel Silverstein's popular tale of few words and simple line drawings, a tree starts out as a leafy playground, shade provider, and apple bearer for a rambunctious little boy. Making the boy happy makes the tree happy, but with time it becomes more challenging for the generous tree to meet his needs. When he asks for money, she suggests that he sell her apples. When he asks for a house, she offers her branches for lumber. When the boy is old, too old and sad to play in the tree, he asks the tree for a boat. She suggests that he cut her down to a stump so he can craft a boat out of her trunk. He unthinkingly does it. At this point in the story, the double-page spread shows a pathetic solitary stump, poignantly cut down to the heart the boy once carved into the tree as a child that said "M.E. + T." "And then the tree was happy... but not really." When there's nothing left of her, the boy returns again as an old man, needing a quiet place to sit and rest. The stump offers up her services, and he sits on it. "And the tree was happy." While the message of this book is unclear (Take and take and take?Give and give and give? Complete self-sacrifice is good? Complete self-sacrifice is infinitely sad?), Silverstein has perhaps deliberately left the book open to interpretation. (All ages) Read more

Reviews (472)

A Mother's Love
Discriminating readers may find the boy to be quite selfish. Only a mother could love so unconditionally. For the permanent personal collection for the sensitive.A nice gift.

The Real World!
I have loved this book since I was a child and now as I am getting older and my friends and family are having children, I give this book as a present to the new generation being born.Although, for some reason there are reviews that think this book is "horrifying", I think it is a wonderful story about the reality of the world.Sometimes in life you have to give something of yourself even though you know it won't be appreciated.If the only reason why you give is for people to be thankful this would be a very sad world and for some reason my generation is raising children that aren't held accountable and over protected from the reality of the world.Thus, leaving them unprepared to survive in life.This book made an impact on me as a child and I hope it makes an impact on many others in the future.

Love this book since i was a kid
This book for some reason draws real emotion from the reader.Almost like the song Cat's in the Cradle by Harry Chapin.It's about a boy and a tree, and the unconditional love that the tree has for the boy (like parents have for their kids).
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Classics    4. Fiction    5. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    6. Social Issues - Values    7. Trees    8. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    9. Modern fiction   

Reviews (23)

Mary Johnson's Review
I loved this book.I had to read it for summer reading and I had never read poetry.Made me laugh out loud!My favorite is about taking out the Garbage!Funny funny book!
Where The Sidewalk Ends
This book was very enjoyable.It made me laugh out loud.My favorite is Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would not take the Garbage Out! I really recommend it for everyone!

How about a peanut butter sandwich?
When Dr. Seuss died in the early 90s, it seemed as if the entire country went into mourning.I had fond memories of Dr. Seuss too, and I WANTED to be as broken up as everyone else was.But honestly, I wasn't.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children's poetry    3. Children's poetry, American    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Humorous poetry    6. Humorous poetry, American    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Poetry - Humorous    9. Silverstein, Shel    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Humorous   

Editorial Review

Taken in Read more

Reviews (43)

"BEAD A ROOK!"a beview ry Fric Eritzius
Poet, author, cartoonist, performer and musician, Shel Silverstein may have passed away in 1999, but his skegendary lill as a whafter of bimsical crooks for children of all ages lives on heyond bim.Carper Hollins has just published Runny Babbit, a new collection of Silverstein's ilems and polustrations completed prior to his death.
Great Introduction to Poetry
My 9-year-old daughter was not thrilled when I told her I bought her a book of poetry, as she said she didn't like poetry or "get it."After reading the first poem to her, she was hooked.They are best when read aloud.

She laughs out loud when she reads it.
She wants to read it every night, and is excited to read it for me.She laughs before, during, and after each poem.She wants to read it to her mom and friends, too.She gets a big smile on her face whenever she reads it.
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Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Children's 9-12 - Poetry / Plays    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children's poetry, American    5. Children: Grades 3-4    6. Humor - General    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile Poetry    9. Juvenile literature    10. Poetry    11. Poetry - Humorous    12. Rabbits    13. Silverstein, Shel    14. Spoonerisms    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Humorous   

Reviews (55)

Super-Fabulous!
Way too expensive in the book stores, but buying like this. My daughter was so happy!

Falling Up
I remember the poems as a kid, and reading them again i remember why. they are funny and suitable for anyone adult or kid alike.

Whimsical
"Falling Up" by Shel Silverstein,
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Subjects:  1. American poetry    2. Children's 9-12 - Poetry / Plays    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children's poetry    5. Children's poetry, American    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Humor - General    8. Humorous poetry    9. Poetry - Humorous    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Humorous   

Reviews (26)

I loved this book
What a great book. Timeless. Highly Recommend for children and adults. Right up there with the great works of Dr. Seuss.And don't forget to get The Missing Piece Meets the Big O.
This Book Is A Paean To Divorce/Splits.
Written by the author and divorcee, Shel Silverstein, this book trys to instill, via allegory, the idea that a permanent split or divorce is unquestionably good. Although this story can be read as a lamentable opinion of the author on the union of couples, it can be also read as a story of an abusive relationship wherein one of the partners in the union is controlling to the point that the other partner cannot stop to talk to friends, smell the flowers or act in any independent manner. Whatever the author meant to convey when he wrote this book, 'The Missing Piece,' it is at best a gloomy read, if not an outright pessimistic one.
The Missing Piece
Searching, looking, seeking, just can't find the missing piece. This is one of those books where you have buckets of fun and is easy to understand. I think this book is for all readers young to old or beginner to experienced. They will all have fun reading this book. This book is about a part of a circle who can't find his missing piece. He looks all over and can't find his missing piece, or does he. Get this amazing book and read it for you self. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Circle    4. Classics    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Social Issues - Friendship    8. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (27)

I loved this book
Hopefully if you have read this you have also read The Missing Piece. I absolutely loved these books. Full of great wisdom about life. Highly Recommended for children and adults. Right up there with the great works of Dr. Seuss.

Essential and Unique
as English is not my language...I claim that I've read
Great Graduation or Coming of Age gift
I love this book to give as a graduation or coming of age gift.I especially love to to give this book to girls.The message of finding out who you are and not needing someone to make you complete shines through in Shel Silverstein style. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century American Poetry    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Classics    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Other    9. Silverstein, Shel    10. Size and shape    11. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    12. English    13. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    14. USA   

Reviews (14)

Cute Book!
I was such a big fan of Silverstein when I was a kid.Now my girlfriend's daughter gets to hear me read his works to her.This book in particular is so cute.I think I might like it more than she does but she just turned 2 so time will tell how much she likes it.

A Giraffe and a Half
Silly book.My one year old loves it because it is repetative.Pictures are hilarious.

Keeps Kids Attention
As always Shel Silverstein's books amuse and keep my daughter's attention. I enjoyed them as a child and now my child enjoys them. A giraffe and a half is wonderfully silly and keeps you smiling page after page. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Mammals    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's poetry, American    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Classics    6. Giraffes    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile poetry    9. Poetry    10. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Editorial Review

Shel Silverstein shook the staid world of children's poetry in 1974 with the publicationof this collection, and things haven't been the same since. More than four and a half millioncopies of Read more

Reviews (124)

Fun for all ages!
I've had this book a long time and still love it!It has fun, charming, and sometimes touching poems.I was surprised to see the age range listed... it truly is a timeless, ageless book that is fun!Perhaps you'll take a little peek when you're in a bookstore!

So fun at any age!
i am 12 years old but Where the Sidewalk Ends is one of my favorite books. This book always put a smile on the face of the grumpiest person! Even one look at the pictures makes me smile; as soon as you read one poem from any of Silverstein's books', you think 'This is going to be a great book!'. That is exactly what I thought. He is a super writter!

Where the Sidewalk Ends
This book was my favorite Shel Silverstein book; it was funny, interesting, and very well-written. I love how Silverstein draws his own pictures with his books though his poetry is really art itself. I loved this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children's poetry, American    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Humorous poetry    5. Humorous poetry, American    6. Poetry - Humorous    7. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Humorous   

Editorial Review

For over 20 years, kids and kids at heart have giggled at the jumbled,goofy nonsense poems of Shel Silverstein. And now, lucky readers canRead more

Reviews (1)

Still the greatest after all these years!
Twenty years after I read this book, I still have "The Sitter", "Crowded Tub", and "Shaking" memorized.The CD with Shel Silverstein reading his work is priceless and his voice makes me laugh and cry with delight. (He's still at the top of my list of people who should've had the chance to grow old!)
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Subjects:  1. American poetry    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Children's 9-12 - Poetry / Plays    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. Children's poetry, American    6. Humor - General    7. Humorous poetry    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Poetry - Humorous    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Humorous   

Editorial Review

First published in 1963, the late Shel Silverstein's children's bookdebut Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back, will resonate with youngreaders much as it did 40 years ago. The affable narrator Uncle Shelby'sstory begins: "Once there was a young lion and his name was--well, Idon't really know what his name was because he lived in the jungle witha lot of other lions and if he did have a name it certainly wasn't aname like Joe or Ernie or anything like that." That all changes,however, when a circus man discovers the lion's skills as a marksman(the lion took a gun from a hunter he ate) and names him Lafcadio theGreat. When the circus man takes Lafcadio to New York City, the storytakes on a certain Crocodile Dundee quality--the lion eats themenu at a fancy restaurant, demands marshmallows (he likes the sound ofthem), and is captivated by the hotel elevator. As Lafcadio becomes morecivilized and rich and famous, however, he becomes more unhappy. In theend, to entertain the increasingly despondent star, the circus man takesLafcadio hunting in Africa where he encounters his old lion friends onthe other end of his gun. Is Lafcadio now a man or is he a lion? Hedecides he is neither and wanders alone into the valley. In typicalSilverstein style, this exuberantly-silly-yet-poignant fable,illustrated with simple, expressive line drawings, asks more questionsthan it answers. The glee the author derives from wordplay and the soundof language is positively contagious. This read-aloud classic belongs onevery child's bookshelf. (Ages 6 to 10) Read more

Reviews (20)

wow!
I hadn't heard of this book until a few years ago, when I came upon it and read a few pages in the bookstore.WOW!!! Although I appreciate Shel Silverstein's other stories and poems, nothing at all is like this one.And, that's a disappointment, because after reading this one to my children, we wanted MORE.
Creative, captivating and comical...
This book is about a lion named Lafcadio, who learnt to shoot using a gun and began shooting back at hunters - hence the name of the book! The story started when Lafcadio got hold of a hunter's gun and began learning to shoot. He practiced shooting day and night, and he got better and better as the days go by.He is never short of ammunition. To get more ammunition, he just eats up hunters who come into the jungle !!
Great read-a-loud book
I discovered this treasure after reading Shel's poetry books to the kids. I read it to them on a long flight across the country and had the people in the seats around me listening in discreetly. It has some great morals and gems in it. About knowing who you are inside and finding your way in this world. And about the absurdity of hunting from the lion's point of view. The kids just love the bit about every lion having their own hunter's rug. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - LionsTigersLeopardsetc.    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Classics    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Lions    9. Shooting    10. Silverstein, Shel    11. Stories    12. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (7)

Excellent book for children and adults
This book wraps up many beautiful teaching about life. It is excellent for people of all ages and from all over the world. I highly recommend this book.

The Meaning of Being a Parent
I love this book! This book is the story of all the things that a parent provides for their child: love, attention, and comfort. The tree is the "parent" and gives to the child all that it can, until it has no more to give and what a parent expects in return...the child's happiness, in order to be happy.

I loved the book ,I'm 29, I cried when I read it ....
I'm a mother of two , Just got the book ,I have been reading it to them every night. It breinges tears to my eyes every time I read it ...I know I'll keep this book for ever ..not just for my kids but even forthier ownkids .... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Fiction    3. General    4. Spanish language materials    5. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    6. Trees   

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Humor - General    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Poetry - Humorous    7. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Humorous   

Reviews (6)

Exactly what kind of "tree" are we discussing here?
A female martyr figure allows herself to be literallty chopped limb from limb bya brutally self-centered male who relentlessly victimizes her, without so much as a "thank you", from boyhood through old age. Am I the only reader who is seriously creeped out by this?
A great teaching tool for someone of any age
I bought this book to help myself learn some new Latin vocab (a lot of these words just don't show up in Virgil, you know?) and ended up lending it out to a number of people.Everyone recognizes the title, and it is one of those books that everyone has read, so that makes it easy and fun to read in another language.There is a very helpful list of words in the back of the book so that you don't have to sit with your 800-page Latin dictionary in order to read it.I would recommend it to any student of Latin!

The Giving Tree
I think that this book is a good book because it is short and sweet. In a way it kinda relates to life. The Giving Tree is a easy and fun to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Classics    3. Fiction    4. Literary    5. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    6. Social Issues - Values    7. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings    8. Social Situations - Values    9. Modern fiction   

Reviews (10)

Great for classrooms.
I've used this book with students from kindergarten to fifth grade.I made a flash video using the images from the book and added my own audio and sound effects.It's really an awesome book to do a "Create Your Own" with.Students can get really creative with the idea of having a wild animal in their own home that can do lots of random things for them.I recommend everyone buy this book now.It's worth it.
Just plain fun.
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.
"And he is easy to love" -- as is this whimsical book.
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!Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Family - General    5. Fiction    6. Humorous fiction    7. Humorous stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Pets    10. Rhinoceroses    11. Social Issues - Friendship    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Subjects:  1. Juvenile fiction    2. Trees   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Foreign Language Study - General    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    7. Social Issues - Values    8. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings    9. Social Situations - Values    10. Modern language learning material    11. Children's Books, Children's Books, French    12. French Language   

Reviews (1)

Poetry Galore & More with Shel Silverstein
Although this book was written with teachers in mind as the reader, it is very useful for parents as well.I think every teacher for this age group should definitely have this book.And as a parent who wants to beintimately involved in my child's education and literary growth, I'mthrilled to have the book as a resource. It has great, fun games andactivity ideas for many of Shel Silverstein's writings.The activities aresimple enough that I don't feel intimidated to follow through with doingthem (instead of just reading about it).The games and activities aresimple and explained concisely.I enjoyed reading it, and I look forwardto using several of the ideas when my daughter is a little older (andreading). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's poetry, American    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Elementary    5. Language arts (Elementary)    6. Literary recreations    7. Study and teaching (Elementary)    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - Language Arts    10. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading   

Reviews (1)

Silverstein's creative style is funny and fun for kids
This book, written by Shel Silverstien, is a creative book of poetry and fun that will allow for children of all ages to let their imaginations run free. His great use of words are used in a fun way for laughter andentertainment. Silverstein shows off his wonderful talent in writing thisexcellent poetry/art book. Wonderfully funny illustrations included. Irecommend it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Juvenile Nonfiction    4. Juvenile Poetry    5. Poetry - Humorous    6. Spanish: Grades 4-7    7. Juvenile Fiction / Short Stories