Call number
J 811 SIL
Collection
Genres
Publication
HarperCollins (2014), Edition: 1st, 176 pages
Description
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.
Media reviews
There's some nice, lively stuff in here, good for reading aloud on a sleety weekend afternoon. Just don't make it the only book of verse on the children's shelves.
User reviews
LibraryThing member bwyatt
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. You'll meet a boy who turns into a TV set, and a girl who
This is a book that I used to read when I was in grade school. i loved all the poems and they were very interesting to me. I re-read this book currently and still loved it!
I think that you have to at least be in 5th grade to read and understand this book. Their are not many colors so younger children might be bored. i would have them read some poems and then say that the editor wants to pick some poems from the class and have them write a poem that they think would be good for the book.
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eats a whale. 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.This is a book that I used to read when I was in grade school. i loved all the poems and they were very interesting to me. I re-read this book currently and still loved it!
I think that you have to at least be in 5th grade to read and understand this book. Their are not many colors so younger children might be bored. i would have them read some poems and then say that the editor wants to pick some poems from the class and have them write a poem that they think would be good for the book.
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LibraryThing member TNAEWWF123
Admittedly, I read some of Silverstein’s other works over the years (i.e. The Giving Tree and The Missing Piece Meets the Big O), but have no memory of ever reading this one. I specifically chose this book since it is seen as arguably Silverstein’s most controversial work. Being a sucker for
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controversy, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. All in all, I would say it was overblown. Even though I could never see a poem like “Dreadful” being written today because it concerns eating children, never did I feel like the poems were ever cruel or mean-spirited. Personally, my favorites ended up being: “Smart,” “True Story,” “Hector The Collector,” “Lester,” “Paul Bunyan,” and “The Little Blue Engine.” Show Less
LibraryThing member saroz
For years, ever since I was a kid, I've thought of this as the "companion" book to Silverstein's "A Light in the Attic" - although, intriguingly, this one was written first. Now, after all this time, I think I finally understand why: it's simply not quite as good.
That's not to say it isn't very,
Any personal library of nonsense verse is incomplete without this volume. However, I would venture that any with "Sidewalk Ends" also requires "A Light in the Attic." They compliment each other, and the second builds on the skill so easily appreciated in the first.
That's not to say it isn't very,
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very enjoyable, because it is. A couple of Silverstein's absolute classics are here, including "Boa Constrictor" and "Peanut-Butter Sandwich," and several of the poems either started life as or became songs, most notably "The Unicorn" (which anyone who listens to oldies radio has heard at least once, courtesy of the Irish Rovers). Silverstein's flair for wit and the humor of children is clearly evident in both his prose and illustrations; as usual, some librarians have proved their own ineptitude by banning the book for a couple of bare bottoms and the occasional rude (to an adult) joke. Any personal library of nonsense verse is incomplete without this volume. However, I would venture that any with "Sidewalk Ends" also requires "A Light in the Attic." They compliment each other, and the second builds on the skill so easily appreciated in the first.
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LibraryThing member shelbyweryavah
This is a book of poems which can be enjoyed by many readers. The children will relate to the subjects and find the poems funny and musical. The only style of poetry that isn’t used is haiku. The illustrations are simple pencil drawings.
My favorite poem was "Listen to the Mustn'ts". It talks
The students can work together to come up with a class poem. We can each take a different object or subject and create a poem from it.
My favorite poem was "Listen to the Mustn'ts". It talks
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about listening to all the negative things and the impossibles, then it says that "anything can be". I can laugh and relate to a lot of the poems in this book.The students can work together to come up with a class poem. We can each take a different object or subject and create a poem from it.
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LibraryThing member tiburon
This is a classic poetry anthology that will delight children of all ages. It is a wonderful collection of humorous ideas and stories.
LibraryThing member wolfe
There are not the right words in the english lang. to discribe what a great read this book is for anyone of any age, both my father and mother, AND my childern love this as much as I do.
LibraryThing member Nikkles
A great set of poems that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. They are also very fun to read aloud! Enjoy.
LibraryThing member lostinmommydom
I read this in elementary school and was my first purchase for my unborn son over four years ago. Now he and son number 2 both love it. Shel Silverstein is a genius who wraps up grown-up idealism in a package fit for the smallest of children.
LibraryThing member QueenAlyss
I remember reading this in elementary and I decided to buy it a couple of years ago. I still enjoy the poems as they are witty and very amusing. Shel is a poet foor writer for all ages, everyone enjoys these!
LibraryThing member kshielee
This is a good example of poetry because feelings and emotions are strongly tied and there are organized lines with a rhythm to them. There are not really any characters, setting, or plot to the poetry.
LibraryThing member teddiemitchell
Where the Sidewalk Ends is a collection of poems written by Shel Silverstein. There is a variety of poems about a whole lot of different subjects. The poems are all quirky and cute and bring a smile to your face.
I can personally relate to these poems because when I was younger my grandmother gave
In my classroom, the students and I would write our own version of one of Silverstein's poems as a class. We also might draw pictures to go with one of his poems.
I can personally relate to these poems because when I was younger my grandmother gave
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me each of his books and we would read the poems together. The poem Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too was a poem that we read over and over and memorized together.In my classroom, the students and I would write our own version of one of Silverstein's poems as a class. We also might draw pictures to go with one of his poems.
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LibraryThing member CTieyah
166 pages of poems for children and adults to enjoy would be the best description of this book. It has short poems and longer ones and they all rhyme. There are drawings by the author for some of the poems and the poems are of a humorous nature. Some are from different points of view and most of
Honestly, from everything I had heard about these Shel Silverstein books, I expect something different. I expected more funny, meaningful type of poems but this book had poems that were made for the sole purpose of humor; not many had a morale or brought about new insights. God was mentioned in some poems in a questionable manner and that made me wonder if those were appropriate to read to children or to bring up in a classroom. Overall, I really liked this book of poems; there were just a few that rubbed me the wrong way, though.
Not including the poems with God in them, I would probably read a poem a day to my class and let them ponder and discuss what they think about it, and maybe write in a journal their feelings about the poems. Since there isn’t much art in the book, I could read a poem and let the children create their own art to accompany that poem.
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them are full of imagination.Honestly, from everything I had heard about these Shel Silverstein books, I expect something different. I expected more funny, meaningful type of poems but this book had poems that were made for the sole purpose of humor; not many had a morale or brought about new insights. God was mentioned in some poems in a questionable manner and that made me wonder if those were appropriate to read to children or to bring up in a classroom. Overall, I really liked this book of poems; there were just a few that rubbed me the wrong way, though.
Not including the poems with God in them, I would probably read a poem a day to my class and let them ponder and discuss what they think about it, and maybe write in a journal their feelings about the poems. Since there isn’t much art in the book, I could read a poem and let the children create their own art to accompany that poem.
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LibraryThing member mj113469
Another very good book from Shel Sliverstein uses many different forms of poetry to draw in many different groups of people. Every one can find at least one poem in this book that humors them.
This book is just great. He uses different forms of poetry such as narrative, concrete, limerick and lyric
I could use this book by reading to the class and having the students draw what they think is going on in the poem. I could also start out the day with a poem so that everybody starts their day off on the right start.
This book is just great. He uses different forms of poetry such as narrative, concrete, limerick and lyric
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poetry. I absolutely love this book and I really don’t care that much for poetry. I do actually own this book and many other Shel Sliverstein books.I could use this book by reading to the class and having the students draw what they think is going on in the poem. I could also start out the day with a poem so that everybody starts their day off on the right start.
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LibraryThing member smyers
Another "want to have" for my collection. Shel Silverstein does it again with clever drawings and witty poetry. The subjects vary so that just about anyone should be able to find at least one poem that makes them smile in this collection of poems.
I enjoyed many of the poems in this collection and
I find that many classroom extensions can be used with this book. Each child could choose their favorite and share with the class. I could read the poem and have the child illustrate. I could start the poem, and let the child finish with their own ideas, then compare the two.
I enjoyed many of the poems in this collection and
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will add this to my personal library. I believe the art he supplies enhances many of the poems. I love "Ma and God" and have made a copy of that for my poetry scrap book. I find that many classroom extensions can be used with this book. Each child could choose their favorite and share with the class. I could read the poem and have the child illustrate. I could start the poem, and let the child finish with their own ideas, then compare the two.
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LibraryThing member heather_hill
Where the Sidewalk Ends is one of several collections of poetry by Shel Silverstein. These poems are limericks and quite humorous! They are all very unconventional, but they are interesting to children.
I have always been a fan of Shel Silverstein! I love his quirky way of presenting poetry to
For an extension, have the students break up into groups and pick a poem from the book. Students will use colors of paint that they feel best represent the mood of the poem and paint a picture. Students will then explain why they chose the poem and why they think the colors chosen represent the mood of that poem. Another extension could be for children to pair up into small groups and choose a poem to act out. One child can read while the others act out the poem chosen.
I have always been a fan of Shel Silverstein! I love his quirky way of presenting poetry to
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children. Two of my favorites from this particular collection are “Listen to the Mustn’ts” and “Smart.” For an extension, have the students break up into groups and pick a poem from the book. Students will use colors of paint that they feel best represent the mood of the poem and paint a picture. Students will then explain why they chose the poem and why they think the colors chosen represent the mood of that poem. Another extension could be for children to pair up into small groups and choose a poem to act out. One child can read while the others act out the poem chosen.
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LibraryThing member jh127876
Shel Silverstien’s “Where the Sidewalk Ends” is a collection of poetry and illustrations for children or the nostalgic adult. This anthology contains many types of poetry with a focus on weird whimsical stories. The drawings are simple and contain no color, but somehow add to the books
Sadly I am not one of “those” people who love poetry. In fact, “Where The Sidewalk Ends” is one of the only two poetry books I own, the other being “A light in the Attic” also written by Shel Silverstien. However, Silverstien is a master writer and brings his poetry to life in “Where the Sidewalk Ends” in a very dreamlike way. For whatever reason when I read this anthology I feel like I am nine years old again, carefree and most importantly, happy. This feeling is very much like “the world is a wonderful place after all” tingling sensation one gets after reading an uplifting book. Silverstien accomplishes this by sometimes using only very simple poetic styles and vocabulary. “Where the Sidewalk Ends” is truly a delightful book to set down with and is a most for any classroom.
One of the classroom extensions for this book would be to have the children make there own ridiculous funny stories and help them turn those stories into poetry I think another fun thing would be to have young children try is to have them draw simple pictures. Like in “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and then make those pictures into poetry.
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effect.Sadly I am not one of “those” people who love poetry. In fact, “Where The Sidewalk Ends” is one of the only two poetry books I own, the other being “A light in the Attic” also written by Shel Silverstien. However, Silverstien is a master writer and brings his poetry to life in “Where the Sidewalk Ends” in a very dreamlike way. For whatever reason when I read this anthology I feel like I am nine years old again, carefree and most importantly, happy. This feeling is very much like “the world is a wonderful place after all” tingling sensation one gets after reading an uplifting book. Silverstien accomplishes this by sometimes using only very simple poetic styles and vocabulary. “Where the Sidewalk Ends” is truly a delightful book to set down with and is a most for any classroom.
One of the classroom extensions for this book would be to have the children make there own ridiculous funny stories and help them turn those stories into poetry I think another fun thing would be to have young children try is to have them draw simple pictures. Like in “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and then make those pictures into poetry.
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LibraryThing member russelllindsey
My very first book of poetry. It was also my introduction to Shel Silverstein. It is a must for all kids.
LibraryThing member AngelaPrice
This collection of Shel Silverstein’s work ranges from the funny to the touching at the turn of a page. Full of rhyme and humorous situations, these poems and accompanying illustrations will delight both children and adults.
My aunt introduced me to Where the Sidewalk Ends when I was a teenager. I
I would use this collection of poetry as a morning poetry reading for the class. In addition, “Listen to the Mustn’ts” would be a great poem to post on the wall for all to read and take to heart. This would be a great poem to recite throughout the school year as the class lines up for lunch, recess, and at the end of the day.
My aunt introduced me to Where the Sidewalk Ends when I was a teenager. I
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was struggling with memorizing Shakespeare and bemoaning the fact that I hated poetry. She changed my mind with the first poem in this book. I fell in love and have kept a copy on my bookshelf since that day.I would use this collection of poetry as a morning poetry reading for the class. In addition, “Listen to the Mustn’ts” would be a great poem to post on the wall for all to read and take to heart. This would be a great poem to recite throughout the school year as the class lines up for lunch, recess, and at the end of the day.
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LibraryThing member jessica_cassell18
Where the Sidewalk Ends is a collection of children's poetry. All of the poems push to the limit the use of imagination and each are so cute and funny that children will want to keep reading.
I thought this collection of poetry was so cute and fun to read. The reading is so easy that you breeze
A classroom extension I would use would be to discuss the difference between imaginations and reality. I would have the kids write a poem that is about reality. Another I would use would be to allow the kids to write a poem using their imagination and making it as out-of-this world as possible.
I thought this collection of poetry was so cute and fun to read. The reading is so easy that you breeze
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right through the book. I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. I wanted to read each poem to see what it was about. A classroom extension I would use would be to discuss the difference between imaginations and reality. I would have the kids write a poem that is about reality. Another I would use would be to allow the kids to write a poem using their imagination and making it as out-of-this world as possible.
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LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
I grew up with this collection of whimsical and somewhat biting poetry. Who doesn't remember "One sister for sale!" or "I cannot go to school today"? A nice mix of childish perspective and adult warnings.
LibraryThing member NancyStorm
Few poets can equal the humor and delight of Silvertein's poems -- poems that can be read and re-read to young and old and enjoyed by all. One all time favorite reads: "I eat my peas with honey, I've done it all my life, it may seem rather funny but it keeps them on my knife". These poems will
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endure forever. The drawings add even more interest and humor. Thanks, Shel! Show Less
LibraryThing member gillis.sarah
This is one of those books that I read pretty soon after I could read on my own that I really think helped me love reading.
LibraryThing member Runa
Like this amazing book actually needs any more praise showered on it. (Well, it's going to get it anyways, so it had better learn to live with it!) Can anyone say anything negative about this book? (well...other than the book banners, but we all know very well what humongous Delusionals they are.)
Rating: 5/5
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Anyways, everyone's read this book (and if you haven't, then dear, I really do pity you and your lost childhood) and everyone knows how amazing it is. The second and third and fourth rereads only give you more adorable things to catch. It's funny--when I last read this book, I was much younger, and the poems that made me laugh most were the ones involving nose-picking and the like. Now, some of my reactions were the same, but others were completely different. The poem on which the title is based, Where the Sidewalk Ends, is now an amazing, new poem, as is Forgotten Language, which actually had me shed a few tears. But it's not all sentimental. SARAH CYNTHIA SYLVIA STOUT (yes, it has to be capitalized. Just doesn't have the same effect otherwise) is still as laugh-out-loud hilarious as it was when I had to memorize it for an elementary school poetry project. For Sale will still have me half shuddering, half laughing, as I remember my own brother shouting, "Sister for Sale, Sister for Sale!" after reading it. Some are just stories, some are wise outlooks on life. All of them are sure to guide children from a happy childhood into a happy adulthood, and it's one of the most worthwhile reads you'll ever find.Rating: 5/5
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LibraryThing member emily_morine
Where the Sidewalk Ends and its companion, A Light in the Attic, were two of the gross, disturbing and wonderful shining beacons of most childhoods I knew, including my own. I would shriek with hilarity at "Lazy lazy lazy lazy lazy lazy Jane" who "wants a drink of water, so she waits and waits and
Weirdly, as I've never been much for food, my favorite poem was "Hungry Mungry." Something about the idea of a rampaging kid devouring the entire universe and then capping it all off by eating his own body, really tickled me. I would ask to hear it again and again; I loved the absurdity and the cleverly singsong cadence, and I still chuckle every time I think of the lines:
"Soldiers came with tanks and guns.
Said Mungry, 'They can't harm me.'
He just smiled and licked his lips and ate the U.S. Army."
I love a good rhyming punchline. I also love the long list of obscene amounts of food at the beginning of the poem, the list that prepares you for Mungry's later devouring of kitchen table, parents, house, bombers, Africa, and so on. You know the one: it starts with a modest "bowl of mushroom soup" and ends with "thirty-two fried chicken legs, a shank of lamb, a boiled ham, two bowls of grits, some black-eyed peas, four chocolate shakes, eight angel cakes, nine custard pies with münster cheese, ten pots of tea..." I am still a sucker for a well-placed list, actually. I think it was this delightful enumeration of foodstuffs, and possibly my less-than-delightful requests that he read me the poem for the eight hundredth time, that prompted my father to use a brilliant reverse-psychology move and bet me that I couldn't memorize the poem. He said he was sure I couldn't; after all, I was only six, and it was really quite long. Much too hard for me.
I have, predictably, known the thing by heart ever since. At this point, it seems as though I will probably be able to recite it flawlessly for the rest of my days, even after I've forgotten my childrens' names and can't tell you what happened three minutes ago. I suppose, if that's the way it shakes out, that at least I will still be able to make myself laugh.
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waits and waits and waits for it to rain" and the tragic adventures of Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too. I looked down in euphoric contempt on the sillypusses who put a brassiere on the camel, and was deliciously scandalized when the narrator of "Too many kids in this tub" proclaims "I just washed a behind/That I'm sure wasn't mine." 'Behind!' I would think. 'He means his bottom!'Weirdly, as I've never been much for food, my favorite poem was "Hungry Mungry." Something about the idea of a rampaging kid devouring the entire universe and then capping it all off by eating his own body, really tickled me. I would ask to hear it again and again; I loved the absurdity and the cleverly singsong cadence, and I still chuckle every time I think of the lines:
"Soldiers came with tanks and guns.
Said Mungry, 'They can't harm me.'
He just smiled and licked his lips and ate the U.S. Army."
I love a good rhyming punchline. I also love the long list of obscene amounts of food at the beginning of the poem, the list that prepares you for Mungry's later devouring of kitchen table, parents, house, bombers, Africa, and so on. You know the one: it starts with a modest "bowl of mushroom soup" and ends with "thirty-two fried chicken legs, a shank of lamb, a boiled ham, two bowls of grits, some black-eyed peas, four chocolate shakes, eight angel cakes, nine custard pies with münster cheese, ten pots of tea..." I am still a sucker for a well-placed list, actually. I think it was this delightful enumeration of foodstuffs, and possibly my less-than-delightful requests that he read me the poem for the eight hundredth time, that prompted my father to use a brilliant reverse-psychology move and bet me that I couldn't memorize the poem. He said he was sure I couldn't; after all, I was only six, and it was really quite long. Much too hard for me.
I have, predictably, known the thing by heart ever since. At this point, it seems as though I will probably be able to recite it flawlessly for the rest of my days, even after I've forgotten my childrens' names and can't tell you what happened three minutes ago. I suppose, if that's the way it shakes out, that at least I will still be able to make myself laugh.
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LibraryThing member mrindt
Shel Silverstein’ s masterful collection of poems and drawings is at once outrageously funny and profound. The poetry is delightful to children because of the characters. These poems are funny and most students can relate to them.
Awards
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (Nominee — 1977)
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Nominee — 1976-1977)
Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (Nominee)
Golden Archer Award (Winner — Intermediate — 1996)
Kid's Choice Award (Nominee — 2010)