Best Poems From Where The Sidewalk Ends

Best Poems from Where the Sidewalk Ends: A Journey into Shel Silverstein's Whimsical World

Introduction:

Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends isn't just a children's book; it's a portal to a world of imagination, humor, and profound simplicity. This collection of poems has captivated generations, offering a unique blend of childlike wonder and surprisingly mature themes. This post dives deep into Where the Sidewalk Ends, identifying and analyzing some of the best poems within its pages, exploring their enduring appeal, and revealing the literary genius behind Silverstein's seemingly simple verses. We'll examine not only their surface-level charm but also the deeper messages and techniques that make them so memorable and effective. Prepare to rediscover the magic of Silverstein and appreciate the lasting impact of his work.

I. Exploring the Enduring Appeal of Silverstein's Poetry:

Shel Silverstein's success isn't accidental. His poems resonate with readers of all ages because they tap into universal human experiences – childhood anxieties, the joy of discovery, the absurdity of life, and the importance of imagination. His deceptively simple language belies a sophisticated understanding of poetic structure and rhythm. He masterfully employs rhyme and meter to create a memorable and engaging reading experience, even for young children. The whimsical illustrations perfectly complement his words, enhancing the overall effect and making the book a visual delight.

II. Top 5 Best Poems from Where the Sidewalk Ends and Their Analysis:

This section delves into five standout poems from the collection, analyzing their themes, literary devices, and lasting impact.

A. "Where the Sidewalk Ends": This titular poem perfectly encapsulates the book's spirit of adventure and imagination. The simple yet evocative imagery of a place "where the sidewalk ends" invites readers to step beyond the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary. The poem's playful rhythm and rhyme scheme contribute to its overall charm, while the underlying message of escaping mundane reality resonates with readers of all ages.

B. "Sick": This darkly humorous poem masterfully portrays the child's perspective on feigning illness to avoid school. The ironic contrast between the narrator's elaborate descriptions of imagined ailments and the underlying desire for a day off creates a memorable and relatable scenario. Silverstein's use of exaggeration and hyperbole highlights the absurdity of the situation, making the poem both funny and poignant.

C. "The Giving Tree": While arguably the most famous of Silverstein's works (and not strictly from Where the Sidewalk Ends, often included in anthologies alongside it), "The Giving Tree" warrants mention. Its allegorical representation of unconditional love and sacrifice evokes strong emotional responses. The simple yet powerful imagery of the tree continually giving to the boy, even at the cost of its own well-being, explores themes of selflessness and the complex dynamics of relationships. It sparks ongoing debates about its interpretation, making it a continually relevant and engaging piece.

D. "Smart": This deceptively simple poem explores the themes of intelligence and conformity. The narrator's cleverness is presented as a rebellion against the expectations of the adult world. The poem's short, punchy lines and surprising twist ending create a satisfying and thought-provoking experience. The irony is central to the poem's effectiveness, highlighting the limitations of societal definitions of intelligence.

E. "Masks": This poem uses vivid imagery to explore the concept of identity and social performance. Silverstein masterfully uses metaphor to illustrate how people wear masks to conform to societal expectations. The poem's underlying message of authenticity and self-acceptance resonates with readers who struggle with feelings of inadequacy or the pressure to conform. The simple language belies a complex theme, making it both accessible and profound.

III. Silverstein's Poetic Techniques and Style:

Silverstein's success stems from his mastery of several poetic techniques:

Simple Language: He uses everyday language, making his poems accessible to children and adults alike.
Rhyme and Meter: His poems utilize traditional rhyme schemes and metrical patterns, creating a rhythmic and memorable reading experience.
Whimsical Imagery: His vivid and imaginative imagery transports readers to fantastical worlds.
Humor and Irony: His poems often incorporate humor and irony, adding layers of meaning and engaging the reader's intellect.
Relatable Themes: He explores universal themes of childhood, imagination, and human nature, making his work relatable across generations.

IV. The Lasting Legacy of Where the Sidewalk Ends:

Where the Sidewalk Ends has left an indelible mark on children's literature. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Silverstein's ability to connect with readers on a profound emotional level. His poems continue to inspire creativity, encourage imagination, and provide solace and amusement to countless readers worldwide. The book's influence extends beyond literature; it has inspired artwork, music, and theatrical adaptations, showcasing its versatile and enduring appeal.


V. Conclusion:

Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends is more than just a collection of poems; it's a celebration of imagination, a testament to the power of simple language, and a reflection on the complexities of the human experience. By exploring the themes, literary devices, and lasting impact of some of its most beloved poems, we've gained a deeper appreciation for Silverstein's genius and the enduring magic of his work.


Book Outline: "A Deep Dive into Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends"

Introduction: A brief overview of Shel Silverstein and the enduring appeal of Where the Sidewalk Ends.
Chapter 1: Analyzing the Best Poems: In-depth analysis of five key poems, including "Where the Sidewalk Ends," "Sick," "The Giving Tree," "Smart," and "Masks." This will include a breakdown of their themes, literary devices, and lasting impact.
Chapter 2: Decoding Silverstein's Style: Exploration of his poetic techniques, including simple language, rhyme and meter, whimsical imagery, humor, and relatable themes.
Chapter 3: The Cultural Impact: Discussion of the book's lasting legacy and its influence on children's literature, art, music, and popular culture.
Conclusion: A summary of the key findings and a final reflection on the enduring magic of Where the Sidewalk Ends.


(Detailed explanation of each chapter would follow here, expanding on the points outlined above. This would significantly extend the article beyond the 1500-word limit, but the structure is provided for clarity.)


FAQs:

1. What makes Shel Silverstein's poems so popular? His simple language, relatable themes, and whimsical imagery appeal to readers of all ages.
2. What are the main themes explored in Where the Sidewalk Ends? Imagination, childhood, nature, growing up, and the absurdity of life are prominent themes.
3. What are some of the best-known poems in the collection? "Where the Sidewalk Ends," "Sick," "The Giving Tree," "Smart," and "Masks" are frequently cited as favorites.
4. How does Silverstein use humor in his poems? He often uses irony, exaggeration, and unexpected twists to create humorous effects.
5. What is the significance of the illustrations in Where the Sidewalk Ends? They complement the poems, adding to the overall whimsical and engaging experience.
6. Is Where the Sidewalk Ends suitable for all ages? While primarily aimed at children, its themes resonate with adults as well.
7. What literary devices does Silverstein employ? Rhyme, meter, metaphor, simile, and personification are frequently used.
8. What is the overall message of Where the Sidewalk Ends? It encourages imagination, embracing the unconventional, and finding wonder in everyday life.
9. Where can I find more information about Shel Silverstein? Numerous biographies and critical analyses of his work are available online and in libraries.


Related Articles:

1. The Top 10 Children's Poetry Books of All Time: A comprehensive list of classic and contemporary children's poetry collections.
2. Analyzing Shel Silverstein's Use of Metaphor: A deep dive into the metaphorical language in Silverstein's work.
3. The Enduring Power of Rhyme in Children's Literature: An exploration of the role of rhyme in engaging young readers.
4. Shel Silverstein's Impact on Children's Imagination: A look at how Silverstein's work inspires creativity in young minds.
5. Comparing Shel Silverstein to Other Children's Poets: A comparative analysis of Silverstein's style with other notable children's poets.
6. The Themes of Nature in Shel Silverstein's Poetry: An examination of nature's role in his poetic works.
7. A Critical Analysis of "The Giving Tree": A detailed look at the symbolism and interpretation of Silverstein's most famous poem.
8. The Use of Humor in Shel Silverstein's Children's Poetry: An in-depth exploration of the comedic elements in his poems.
9. Teaching Shel Silverstein's Poetry in the Classroom: Strategies and activities for educators using Silverstein's work in the classroom.


  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Falling Up Shel Silverstein, 2020-10-20 NOW AVAILABLE AS AN EBOOK! From New York Times bestselling author Shel Silverstein, the classic creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Every Thing On It, comes a wondrous book of poems and drawings. Filled with unforgettable characters like Screamin’ Millie; Allison Beals and her twenty-five eels; Danny O'Dare, the dancin' bear; the Human Balloon; and Headphone Harold, this collection by the celebrated Shel Silverstein will charm young readers and make them want to trip on their shoelaces and fall up too! So come, wander through the Nose Garden, ride the Little Hoarse, eat in the Strange Restaurant, and let the magic of Shel Silverstein open your eyes and tickle your mind. And don't miss these other Shel Silverstein ebooks, The Giving Tree, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and A Light in the Attic!
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: A Light in the Attic Shel Silverstein, 2020-04-07 NOW AVAILABLE AS AN EBOOK! From New York Times bestselling author Shel Silverstein, the creator of the beloved poetry collections Where the Sidewalk Ends, Falling Up, and Every Thing On It, comes an imaginative book of poems and drawings—a favorite of Shel Silverstein fans young and old. This digital edition also includes twelve poems previously only available in the special edition hardcover. A Light in the Attic delights with remarkable characters and hilariously profound poems in a collection readers will return to again and again. Here in the attic you will find Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo with an Exactlywatt, and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire. You will talk with Broiled Face, and find out what happens when Somebody steals your knees, you get caught by the Quick-Digesting Gink, a Mountain snores, and They Put a Brassiere on the Camel. Come on up to the attic of Shel Silverstein and let the light bring you home. And don't miss these other Shel Silverstein ebooks, The Giving Tree, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and Falling Up!
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Every Thing On It Shel Silverstein, 2022-04-05 NOW AVAILABLE AS AN EBOOK! From New York Times bestselling Shel Silverstein, celebrated creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up, comes an amazing collection of poems and drawings, in ebook for the very first time! Have you ever read a book with everything on it? Well, here it is! You will say Hi-ho for the toilet troll, get tongue-tied with Stick-a-Tongue-Out-Sid, play a highly unusual horn, and experience the joys of growing down. What's that? You have a case of the Lovetobutcants? Impossible! Just come on in and let the magic of Shel Silverstein bend your brain and open your heart. And don't miss these other Shel Silverstein ebooks: The Giving Tree, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Falling Up, and A Light in the Attic!
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: The Giving Tree Shel Silverstein, 2014-02-18 As The Giving Tree turns fifty, this timeless classic is available for the first time ever in ebook format. This digital edition allows young readers and lifelong fans to continue the legacy and love of a classic that will now reach an even wider audience. Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy. So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. This moving parable for all ages offers a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein's incomparable career as a bestselling children's book author and illustrator began with Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. He is also the creator of picture books including A Giraffe and a Half, Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?, The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, and the perennial favorite The Giving Tree, and of classic poetry collections such as Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, Every Thing On It, Don't Bump the Glump!, and Runny Babbit. And don't miss the other Shel Silverstein ebooks, Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic!
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Uncle Shelby'S Abz Book Shel Silverstein, 1985-09-09 An adult version of the alphabet!
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Outside the Box Karma Wilson, 2014-03-11 This laugh-out-loud poetry collaboration from a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author and a Caldecott Honor illustrator is anything but ordinary. Dive in to Karma Wilson’s latest collection of more than 100 poems—some humorous, some poignant, and all of them Outside the Box. Illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Diane Goode, Outside the Box has something for everyone. Appealing to kids and parents alike, poems such as “Sick Day,” “My Pet Robot,” “Balloonaphobia,” and “Aliens Under My Bed” are sure to delight and entertain.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: The Butterfly Jar Jeff Moss, 2011-12-07 Jeff Moss, one of the original creators of the award-winning Sesame Street, in collaboration with illustrator Chris Demarest, has created this offering of upbeat poetry that includes the serious and the silly. -- Booklist. From the Hardcover edition.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Runny Babbit Shel Silverstein, 2005 This collection of poems and drawings was a work in progress for over 20 years and is as ground-breaking, insightful, witty, and wondrous as Shel Silverstein's imagination. 'Runny Babbit' is destined to be a classic for readers of all ages.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude Ross Gay, 2015-01-08 Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude is a sustained meditation on that which goes away—loved ones, the seasons, the earth as we know it—that tries to find solace in the processes of the garden and the orchard. That is, this is a book that studies the wisdom of the garden and orchard, those places where all—death, sorrow, loss—is converted into what might, with patience, nourish us.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: WHEREAS Layli Long Soldier, 2017-03-07 The astonishing, powerful debut by the winner of a 2016 Whiting Writers' Award WHEREAS her birth signaled the responsibility as mother to teach what it is to be Lakota therein the question: What did I know about being Lakota? Signaled panic, blood rush my embarrassment. What did I know of our language but pieces? Would I teach her to be pieces? Until a friend comforted, Don’t worry, you and your daughter will learn together. Today she stood sunlight on her shoulders lean and straight to share a song in Diné, her father’s language. To sing she motions simultaneously with her hands; I watch her be in multiple musics. —from “WHEREAS Statements” WHEREAS confronts the coercive language of the United States government in its responses, treaties, and apologies to Native American peoples and tribes, and reflects that language in its officiousness and duplicity back on its perpetrators. Through a virtuosic array of short lyrics, prose poems, longer narrative sequences, resolutions, and disclaimers, Layli Long Soldier has created a brilliantly innovative text to examine histories, landscapes, her own writing, and her predicament inside national affiliations. “I am,” she writes, “a citizen of the United States and an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, meaning I am a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation—and in this dual citizenship I must work, I must eat, I must art, I must mother, I must friend, I must listen, I must observe, constantly I must live.” This strident, plaintive book introduces a major new voice in contemporary literature.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: I'm Just No Good at Rhyming Chris Harris, 2017-09-26 The instant New York Times bestseller featured on NPR's Weekend Edition with Scott Simon! B. J. Novak (bestselling author of The Book With No Pictures) described this groundbreaking poetry collection as Smart and sweet, wild and wicked, brilliantly funny--it's everything a book for kids should be. Lauded by critics as a worthy heir to such greats as Silverstein, Seuss, Nash and Lear, Harris's hilarious debut molds wit and wordplay, nonsense and oxymoron, and visual and verbal sleight-of-hand in masterful ways that make you look at the world in a whole new wonderfully upside-down way. With enthusiastic endorsements from bestselling luminaries such as Lemony Snicket, Judith Viorst, Andrea Beaty, and many others, this entirely unique collection offers a surprise around every corner. Adding to the fun: Lane Smith, bestselling creator of beloved hits like It's a Book and The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, has spectacularly illustrated this extraordinary collection with nearly one hundred pieces of appropriately absurd art. It's a mischievous match made in heaven! Ridiculous, nonsensical, peculiar, outrageous, possibly deranged--and utterly, totally, absolutely delicious. Read it! Immediately! --Judith Viorst, bestselling author of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Poetry Goes to School Bob Barton, David Booth, 2003 Learn how to create a culture of poetry that demonstrates the power of words and strengthens the language lives of children. Poetry Goes to School is a comprehensive resource for teachers who want to fill their classrooms with poetry. The authors have expanded the territory covered in their previous book, Mother Goose Goes to School. In this rich collection, they have gathered and classified a remarkable collection of poetry and teaching strategies into a meaningful, manageable program. The book is organized around eight inviting units: patterns, word play, nursery rhymes, ceremonies, images, voices, stories, and information. Each unit contains: a description of the genre; inviting lessons and tools for using them in classrooms; sample poems to motivate language discussion; ideas for exploring all forms of poetry with children. Teachers can select from the wide range of response activities that will involve the children in reading, writing, role-playing and the arts. Assessment techniques for supporting the poetry program complement this inviting resource.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: A Giraffe and a Half Shel Silverstein, 2024-02-27 From Shel Silverstein, the New York Times bestselling author of Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree, comes a riotous rhyming picture book about a boy and his giraffe! Featuring rhythmic verse and iconic illustrations, A Giraffe and a Half will surely leave every reader, young and old, laughing until the very end. Beloved for over fifty years, this classic captures Silverstein’s signature humor and style. If you had a giraffe and he stretched another half, you would have a giraffe and a half. But what happens if you glue a rose to the tip of his nose? Or if you used a chair to comb his hair? Join this giraffe on a rollicking and ridiculous journey that will charm readers from beginning to end. And don't miss Runny Babbit Returns, the new book from Shel Silverstein!
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Don't Bump the Glump! Shel Silverstein, 2008-01-01 A most unusual collection of whacky, funny, scary creatures with imaginative fantasies in verse.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Shel's Shorts Shel Silverstein, 2003
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: An Introduction to Indian Philosophy Christopher Bartley, 2015-07-30 Introducing the topics, themes and arguments of the most influential Hindu and Buddhist Indian philosophers, An Introduction to Indian Philosophy leads the reader through the main schools of Indian thought from the origins of Buddhism to the Saiva Philosophies of Kashmir. By covering Buddhist philosophies before the Brahmanical schools, this engaging introduction shows how philosophers from the Brahmanical schools-including Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, and Mimamsa, as well as Vedanta-were to some extent responding to Buddhist viewpoints. Together with clear translations of primary texts, this fully-updated edition features: • A glossary of Sanskrit terms • A guide to pronunciation • Chronological list of philosophers & works With study tools and constant reference to original texts, An Introduction to Indian Philosophy provides students with deeper understanding of the foundations of Indian philosophy.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Born Reading Jason Boog, 2014-07-15 A program for parents and professionals on how to raise kids who love to read, featuring interviews with childhood development experts, advice from librarians, tips from authors and children’s book publishers, and reading recommendations for kids from birth up to age five. Every parent wants to give his or her child a competitive advantage. In Born Reading, publishing insider (and new dad) Jason Boog explains how that can be as simple as opening a book. Studies have shown that interactive reading—a method that creates dialogue as you read together—can raise a child’s IQ by more than six points. In fact, interactive reading can have just as much of a determining factor on a child’s IQ as vitamins and a healthy diet. But there’s no book that takes the cutting-edge research on interactive reading and shows parents, teachers, and librarians how to apply it to their day-to-day lives with kids, until now. Born Reading provides step-by-step instructions on interactive reading and advice for developing your child’s interest in books from the time they are born. Boog has done the research, talked with the leading experts in child development, and worked with them to compile the “Born Reading Essential Books” lists, offering specific titles tailored to the interests and passions of kids from birth to age five. But reading can take many forms—print books as well as ebooks and apps—and Born Reading also includes tips on how to use technology the right way to help (not hinder) your child’s intellectual development. Parents will find advice on which educational apps best supplement their child’s development, when to start introducing digital reading to their child, and how to use tech to help create the readers of tomorrow. Born Reading will show anyone who loves kids how to make sure the children they care about are building a powerful foundation in literacy from the beginning of life.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Giggle Poetry Reading Lessons Amy Buswell, Bruce Lansky, 2014-08-05 Many struggling readers are embarrassed to read aloud. They are often intimidated or bored by texts that reading specialists require them to practice. So, instead of catching up, they are falling further behind. This handbook filled with poetry reading lessons can help turn struggling readers into happy readers.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: CFA Program Curriculum 2020 Level II, Volumes 1-6 Box Set CFA Institute, 2019-08-13 All CFA® Program exams through November 2021 will reflect the 2020 curriculum. Purchase your copy and begin studying for Level II now! The CFA® Program Curriculum 2020 Level II Box Set provides candidates and other motivated investment professionals with the official curriculum tested on the Level II CFA exam. This set includes practical instruction on the 10 core topics covered in the Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) to prepare readers for their 2020 or 2021 Level II exam windows. Beyond the fundamentals, this set also offers expert guidance on how the CBOK is applied in practice. The Level II CFA® Program Curriculum focuses on complex analysis and asset valuation; it is designed to help candidates use essential investment concepts in real-world situations analysts encounter in the field. Topics explored in this box set include ethical and professional standards, quantitative analysis, economics, financial reporting and analysis, corporate finance, equities, fixed income, derivatives, alternative investments, and portfolio management. Visuals like charts, graphs, figures, and diagrams illustrate complex material covered on the Level II exam, and practice questions with answers help you understand your study progress while reinforcing important content. The CFA® Program Curriculum 2020 Level II Box Set builds from the foundational investment skills covered in Level I. This set helps you: Incorporate analysis skills into case evaluations Master complex calculations and quantitative techniques Understand the international standards used for valuation and analysis Gauge your skills and understanding against each Learning Outcome Statement Perfect for anyone considering the CFA® designation or currently preparing for a 2021 exam window, the 2020 Level II Box Set is a must-have resource for applying the skills required to become a Chartered Financial Analyst®.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Thank You, M'am Langston Hughes, 2014-08 When a young boy named Roger tries to steal the purse of a woman named Luella, he is just looking for money to buy stylish new shoes. After she grabs him by the collar and drags him back to her home, he's sure that he is in deep trouble. Instead, Roger is soon left speechless by her kindness and generosity.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Poetry Galore and More with Shel Silverstein Cheryl Potts, 1993-09 Uses Shel Silverstein books as springboards for many classroom activities, including an assortment of language arts and reading ideas, discussions, mini-lessons, games, and projects. Designed for the the elementary teacher and to create an enthusiasm for poetry and literature.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Never Alarm a Llama Steve Attewell, 2021-03-31 A super book of funny, ridiculous and silly poems to make kids laugh out loud from children's poet Steve Attewell. Packed with illustrations by the author this book is great for reluctant readers. Steve's books are used in schools all over the world to help kids enjoy poetry without being intimidating. Ages: 4 to 14 The poems in this book: Never alarm a llama A, bee, see Cat flap Eleven melons and a lemon Flute Badger I drew a door upon a wall I thought I thunk a think Itchy Lost Stupid fly The bounce I did The invisible hamster The longest poem ever written Things I don't like This is not a poem Tim the caterpillar Upside down What book to read tonight? What's a rhyme? Words Yesssss Things people say about Steve's other poetry books: Once, I laughed my socks off was a great poetry book that got students reading poetry without them even realizing it... I would highly recommend this for a poetry lesson for elementary students for poetry lessons or for just light fun reading in the classroom. - Goodreads reviewer A wondrously funny book of poetry for children. - Goodreads reviewer The poems are hilarious, fun and playful and I absolutely loved reading this collection of poems. - Goodreads reviewer I know when I was being taught poetry really young I could very little interest in exploring it further till I was older, but this book would have definitely enticed me enough to start looking sooner. It was fun and silly and it is great for kids - Goodreads reviewer This large format book was a joy to read by myself and with its bright, simple illustrations easy to share while spoiling my grand children with lots of funny words that had a natural rhythm. - Goodreads reviewer I got this for the 4th grade poetry project for my daughter. She is a reluctant reader, but these poems were so funny and engaging for her, that she read her assigned number of poems without complaint. She even memorized one to share with the class. - Amazon reviewer Hi, I'm Steve I've loved my journey becoming a children's poet. I've seen my books enjoyed by kids, adults, and teachers. The best thing about writing for children is seeing them comment about how they've been inspired to read or write more poetry. And when I learned that my poems were being used in schools as teaching aids... well, you can imagine how pleased I was about that.So if you enjoy one of my books or use one in the classroom, do drop a review or find me on the web and let me know what you think - spreading the word helps so much and inspires me to write more. Kids poems, funny illustrations, and humour through-and-through.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: The Missing Piece Shel Silverstein, 1976-04-14 It was missing a piece. And it was not happy. So it set off in search of its missing piece. And as it rolled it sang this song -Oh I'm lookin' for my missin' piece I'm lookin' for my missin' piece Hi-dee-ho, here I go, Lookin' for my missin' piece. What it finds on its search for the missing piece is simply and touchingly told in this fable that gently probes the nature of quest and fulfillment.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Guess Who, Haiku Deanna Caswell, 2016-03-08 Guess Who, Haiku is a unique poetic guessing game illustrated by bestselling and beloved artist Bob Shea. Author Deanna Caswell’s playful take on the inventive Japaense form of poetry offers clues about the creatures hiding on every page in this creative and clever picture book of charmingly illustrated poems for the very young. As readers meet a cow, a bee, a horse, a bird, a frog, a fish, a mouse, a cat, and a dog, they will be delighted to learn that they are the subject of the final poem. Parents will appreciate the simple guide to understanding the haiku. Perfect for story time and for poetry month April, Guess Who Haiku is a must-have collection of poetry for the youngest readers.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: The Random House Book of Poetry for Children Jack Prelutsky, 1983-09-12 The most accessible and joyous introduction to the world of poetry! The Random House Book of Poetry for Children offers both funny and illuminating poems for kids personally selected by the nation's first Children's Poet Laureate, Jack Prelutsky. Featuring a wealth of beloved classic poems from the past and modern glittering gems, every child who opens this treasury will finda world of surprises and delights which will instill a lifelong love of poetry. Featuring 572 unforgettable poems, and over 400 one-of-a-kind illustrations from the Caldecott-winning illustrator of the Frog and Toad series, Arnold Lobel, this collection is, quite simply, the perfect way to introduce children to the world of poetry.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: No More Poems! Rhett Miller, 2019-03-05 Acclaimed singer-songwriter Rhett Miller teams up with Caldecott Medalist and bestselling artist Dan Santat in a riotous collection of irreverent poems for modern families. In the tradition of Shel Silverstein, these poems bring a fresh new twist to the classic dilemmas of childhood as well as a perceptive eye to the foibles of modern family life. Full of clever wordplay and bright visual gags--and toilet humor to spare--these twenty-three rhyming poems make for an ideal read-aloud experience. Taking on the subjects of a bullying baseball coach and annoying little brothers with equally sly humor, renowned lyricist Rhett Miller's clever verses will have the whole family cackling.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Of Metal and Wishes Sarah Fine, 2014-08-05 This love story for the ages, set in a reimagined industrial Asia, is a little dark, a bit breathless, and completely compelling. A “grisly and satisfying” tale (Publishers Weekly) inspired by The Phantom of the Opera. Sixteen-year-old Wen assists her father in his medical clinic, housed in a slaughterhouse staffed by the Noor, men hired as cheap factory labor. Wen often hears the whisper of a ghost in the slaughterhouse, a ghost who grants wishes to those who need them most. And after one of the Noor humiliates Wen, the ghost grants an impulsive wish of hers—brutally. Guilt-ridden, Wen befriends the Noor, including the outspoken leader, a young man named Melik. At the same time, she is lured by the mystery of the ghost. As deadly accidents fuel tensions within the factory, Wen is torn between her growing feelings for Melik, who is enraged at the sadistic factory bosses and the prejudice faced by his people at the hand of Wen’s, and her need to appease the ghost, who is determined to protect her against any threat—real or imagined. Will she determine whom to trust before the factory explodes, taking her down with it?
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: The Raven's Child Thomas E. Sniegoski, 2015-08-04 Thomas E. Sniegoski has entranced audiences with his exploration of the Batman universe, thrilled fans with his Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics, and uncovered the paranormal with his Hellboy spin-off series, B.R.P.D. Now, he introduces readers to a mesmerizing dark world filled with monsters, where humanity’s only hope lies in the bravery of one woman… When the Throng came, the human race never stood a chance. The monsters were simply too strong, too numerous. It only took a few months for them to take over and leave the few poor souls who survived cowering in terror for years to come. But even the monsters fear something: the dark goddess known as the Raven’s Child. Legend says that she alone is destined to destroy the Throng and free those under their cruel power. And whoever wields her name and image could become the bane of the Throng and an inspiration to humankind—even if she were only a young woman, like Carissa Devin, who has vowed to reclaim the world for the human race, no matter what the cost…
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Human Dark with Sugar Brenda Shaughnessy, 2008-04-01 “Brenda Shaughnessy’s poems bristle with imperatives: ‘confuse me, spoon-feed me, stop the madness, decide.’ There are more direct orders in her first few pages than in six weeks of boot camp...Only Shaughnessy’s kidding. Or she is and she isn’t. If you just want to boss people around, you’re a control freak, but if you can joke about it, then your bossiness is leavened by a yeast that’s all too infrequent in contemporary poetry, that of humor.”—New York Times “Shaughnessy’s voice is smart, sexy, self-aware, hip . . . consistently wry, and ever savvy.”—Harvard Review “Brenda Shaughnessy . . . writes like the love-child of Mina Loy and Frank O’Hara.”—Exquisite Corpse In its worried acceptance of contradiction, its absolute refusal of sentimentality and its acute awareness of time's 'scarce infinity,' this is a brilliant, beautiful and essential continuation of the metaphysical verse tradition. —Publishers Weekly, starred review “Human Dark with Sugar is both wonderfully inventive (studded with the strangenesses of ‘snownovas’ and ‘flukeprints’) and emotionally precise. Her ‘I’ is madly multidexterous—urgent, comic, mischievous—and the result is a new topography of the debates between heart and head.”—Matthea Harvey, a judge for the Laughlin Award Seriously playful, sexy, sharp-edged, and absolutely commanding throughout....Here you'll meet an 'I' boldly ready to take on the world and just itching to give 'You' some smart directives. So listen up.—Library Journal In her second book, winner of the prestigious James Laughlin Award, Brenda Shaughnessy taps into themes that have inspired era after era of poets. Love. Sex. Pain. The heavens. The loss of time. The weird miracle of perception. Part confessional, part New York School, and part just plain lover of the English language, Shaughnessy distills the big questions into sharp rhythms and alluring lyrics. “You’re a tool, moon. / Now, noon. There’s a hero.” Master of diverse dictions, she dwells here on quirky words, mouthfuls of consonance and assonance—anodyne, astrolabe, alizarin—then catches her readers up short with a string of powerful monosyllables. “I’ll take / a year of that. Just give it back to me.” In addition to its verbal play, Human Dark With Sugar demonstrates the poet’s ease in a variety of genres, from “Three Sorries” (in which the speaker concludes, “I’m not sorry. Not sorry at all”), to a sequence of prose poems on a lover’s body, to the discussion of a disturbing dream. In this caffeine jolt of a book, Shaughnessy confirms her status as a poet of intoxicating lines, pointed, poignant comments on love, and compelling abstract images —not the least of which is human dark with sugar. Brenda Shaughnessy was raised in California and is an MFA graduate of Columbia University. She is the poetry editor for Tin House and has taught at several colleges, including Eugene Lang College and Princeton University. She lives in Brooklyn.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Philip Larkin Poems Philip Larkin, 2012-04-05 For the first time, Faber publish a selection from the poetry of Philip Larkin. Drawing on Larkin's four collections and on his uncollected poems. Chosen by Martin Amis. 'Many poets make us smile; how many poets make us laugh - or, in that curious phrase, laugh out loud (as if there's another way of doing it)? Who else uses an essentially conversational idiom to achieve such a variety of emotional effects? Who else takes us, and takes us so often, from sunlit levity to mellifluous gloom?... Larkin, often, is more than memorable: he is instantly unforgettable.' - Martin Amis
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Skipping Across the Rainbow Sea K. T. Iversen, 2017-08-02 Skipping Across The Rainbow Sea is a must-read collection of all-original poetry. Here in a world of his own creation KT Iversen's imagination takes flight as he fills his book with endearing characters in memorable stories from cover to cover. Attempting to compare Iversen's writing to that of another author is difficult, though one could say that his style is a pleasant mix of both Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss. But don't think for one moment that this book is just for children because its appeal has no age limitations whatsoever!
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Flicker Flash Joan Bransfield Graham, 1999 A collection of poems celebrating light in its various forms, from candles and lamps to lightning and fireflies.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? Shel Silverstein, 2024-09-10 From New York Times bestselling author Shel Silverstein, acclaimed creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends, The Giving Tree, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up, comes a boy’s tribute to a perfectly unexpected pet: a rhinoceros, now in ebook for the very first time! In this cherished classic, published for the first time at HarperCollins, Silverstein delivers a hilarious look at the joys of having a rhinoceros as your friend, with his signature humor and black-and-white artwork. Generations have grown up with the works of Shel Silverstein, known not only as a poet and illustrator, but also for his work as a cartoonist, playwright, performer, recording artist, and Grammy Award-winning songwriter. With the timeless magic of his work, Shel Silverstein has encouraged children to dream and dare to imagine the impossible with his extraordinary poetry and unforgettable characters. Need a pet? What’s the best kind to get? A dog, a cat, a frog, a rat? How about a cheap rhinoceros? He’s funny and sweet and loyal as they come. He’s huggable and lovable. So who wants a cheap rhinoceros? Maybe you!
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: The Mouse in the Manor House (and Other Poems) Sam Garland, 2015-06-03 The Mouse in the Manor House (and other poems) is a 34-page book featuring the illustrated story (written in rhyme) of Jenny Mouse on Christmas Eve, as she searches for her husband, Peter Mouse, who has been missing in Manor House for a day. When she discovers the misfortune that has befallen him, she must devise a plan to save the day...The story is followed by several illustrated poems fit for children and adults alike.Written by Reddit's /u/Poem_For_Your_Sprog
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: The Missing Piece Meets the Big O Shel Silverstein, 1981-05-06 The missing piece sat alone waiting for someone to come along and take it somewhere.... The different ones it encounters - and what it discovers in its helplessness - are portrayed with simplicity and compassion in the words and drawings of Shel Silverstein.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Steps of Faith Joye Angel, 2021-05-20 Our hearts' desire is to have a deep and meaningful relationship with God. God desires to have a deep and meaningful relationship with us. Life gets busy, and we tend to get ourselves in the way. Where do we start? How do we get there? We are ready to take that first step but need guidance. Steps of Faith takes us through the process step by step. Each step is explained by breaking down the stories of the heroes of faith and using real-life examples. Steps of Faith walks us through cultivating our relationship with God and gives us the tools needed to keep that relationship strong. At the end, we take what we have learned and put our faith into action through a one-week step commitment. Are you ready to take that step of faith? Are you ready to answer the call that God has placed on your life? God is ready and waiting for us to follow Him.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Where the Sidewalk Ends Shel Silverstein, 1974 A boy who turns into a TV set and a girl who eats a whale are only two of the characters in a collection of humorous poetry illustrated with the author's own drawings. Come in - for where the sidewalk ends, Shel Silverstein's world begins. The Unicorn and the Bloath live there, and so does Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who will not take the garbage out. It is a place where you wash your shadow and plant diamond gardens, a place where shoes fly, sisters are auctioned off, and crocodiles go to the dentist.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Harris the Hero Lynne Rickards, 2013 A lonely puffin makes friends and saves the day in this adorable rhyming picture book
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: Beastly Boys and Ghastly Girls William Cole, 1964 A collection of humorous poetry about naughty, ill-mannered, even cruel, boys and girls.
  best poems from where the sidewalk ends: The Pancake Christina Rossetti, 2009 Mmmm, I love pancakes! Do you?