Status
Available
Call number
Publication
HarperCollins (2006), 171 pages
Description
A collection of humorous poems and drawings.
Media reviews
Shel Silverstein is that rare adult who can still think like a child. He has continued to polish his own brand of humorous verse -- whimsical, inventive, with catchy rhythms and, as X. J. Kennedy says, "a streak of the wierd." It's a distinctive kind of verse that appeals to most ages, and he
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illustrates it with bold and equally distinctive line drawings. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member jrlandry1410
Another collection of silly children's poems by Shel Silverstein, I believe that this book will continue to delight, and suprise, children for many generations to come. I fell in love with it when I was a child, and I do not think I can resist sharing it with my future students. These are the poems
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that made me like poetry in the first place, and even now, when the poems seem silly to me, when I hear poetry I think Silverstein. Show Less
LibraryThing member elainevbernal
Falling Up is a collection of free verse poems that plays on children's imagination and experiences. The rhythm, rhyme, and use of high-frequency words makes the poems sound natural and very easy to read for children ages 6-9, and the use details and sensory imagery is very effective. For example,
"You've been up on that diving board
Making sure that it's nice and straight.
You've made sure that it's not too slick.
You've made sure it can stand the weight.
You've made sure that the spring is tight.
You've made sure that the cloth won't slip.
You've made sure that it bounces right,
And that your toes can get a grip--
And you've been up there since half past five
Doin' everything...but DIVE."
The "Diving Board," and other poems in the collection incorporate repetition to the extent that the technique pulls the plot and the setting of the poem together and keeps the reader's attention well. The poems are highly purposeful as the intention is to amuse children and make sense of experiences about growing up. In, "The Toy Eater," the reader is told they don't have to pick up toys because a "Terrible Toy-Eatin' Tookle," will eat it all up. What child hasn't been threatened with punishment if they don't clean up their room? But reading about the "Tookle" is a humorous take on that particular childhood experience.
This series of poems is an entertaining way of introducing poetry to children.
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in the "Diving Board," Silverstein accurately portrays a child's anxiety and fears of jumping off a diving board:"You've been up on that diving board
Making sure that it's nice and straight.
You've made sure that it's not too slick.
You've made sure it can stand the weight.
You've made sure that the spring is tight.
You've made sure that the cloth won't slip.
You've made sure that it bounces right,
And that your toes can get a grip--
And you've been up there since half past five
Doin' everything...but DIVE."
The "Diving Board," and other poems in the collection incorporate repetition to the extent that the technique pulls the plot and the setting of the poem together and keeps the reader's attention well. The poems are highly purposeful as the intention is to amuse children and make sense of experiences about growing up. In, "The Toy Eater," the reader is told they don't have to pick up toys because a "Terrible Toy-Eatin' Tookle," will eat it all up. What child hasn't been threatened with punishment if they don't clean up their room? But reading about the "Tookle" is a humorous take on that particular childhood experience.
This series of poems is an entertaining way of introducing poetry to children.
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LibraryThing member ChelseaHopton
This is my favorite poetry book for children. Shel Shilverstein does an amazing job writing poetry for children. His books always have awesome illustrations to go with each poem. This is a great book to use in a classroom when learning about poetry. This book is a wonderful way to get a child
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interested in poems because of the humor and oddness of Shel Silverstein's poems. I recommend this book to children of all ages who enjoy and do not enjoy poetry. This book is sure to make a child love poems! Show Less
LibraryThing member achatela
Shel Silverstein has always been amazing when I come to poem's. Growing up he was the first poet I was ever introduced to. I never fully read Falling Up until now. Reading now that I'm older gave me a whole new outlook on the poems. The poems in the book are just about anything and everything and
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it is something that both adults and children can enjoy. Show Less
LibraryThing member greeniezona
Re-read for Solomon's bedtime story.
Many many moons ago, when I spent the summer as a Girl Scout camp counselor in Alaska, Sarat sends this to me as a part of a care package and it remains one of my favorite books that I've ever received as a gift. I probably would have though of myself as "too
It makes me want to invest in more children's poetry, while at the same time I wonder what else could possibly hold up to Silverstein's goofy wordplay and imaginative irreverence?
Many many moons ago, when I spent the summer as a Girl Scout camp counselor in Alaska, Sarat sends this to me as a part of a care package and it remains one of my favorite books that I've ever received as a gift. I probably would have though of myself as "too
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old" to have bought this for myself at the time, but I loved it then, and I love getting to share it with my kids now. Fun to read, fun to read aloud, and fun to gawk at all the illustrations together -- it's a fantastic family read-aloud.It makes me want to invest in more children's poetry, while at the same time I wonder what else could possibly hold up to Silverstein's goofy wordplay and imaginative irreverence?
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LibraryThing member mr.discovampire
This book is very famous. You will find few who have never heard of it. The poems are cute and rte;levent to every day activities for kids. This is one of those books that if you do not own it you should.
I need to buy it. Take my own advice. It has poems in it that remind me of the schools i have
This book could be used for many things from not fighting with others to look before crossing the street.
I need to buy it. Take my own advice. It has poems in it that remind me of the schools i have
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attended and it has poems that remind me of my little sister. This book could be used for many things from not fighting with others to look before crossing the street.
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LibraryThing member mscricco
This was my absolute favorite for about 4 years and i probably know half of the poems by heart to this day. It is silly and fun and memorable and a great way to learn to love books. I loved this book with a passion and I still do.
LibraryThing member ashdawn21
this has a collection of humorous poems made for kids.
i remember reading this book aloud in my 4th grade class, so thats one reason why i chose to read this book. another reason i love this book is because it is so cute and funny.
in the classroom i could read this book aloud and then have the
i remember reading this book aloud in my 4th grade class, so thats one reason why i chose to read this book. another reason i love this book is because it is so cute and funny.
in the classroom i could read this book aloud and then have the
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students make up their own funny poems. Show Less
LibraryThing member LyndaHuntley
This anthology of children's poems are a collection of rhyme poems. Shel Silverstein uses many different types of poetry that uses rhyme and rhytm to express images about everyday events. the pictures that help tell the story about the poem contain humor.
This is a hilarious collection of poems. It
One of the pictures show the naked backside of a child in Dancing in the Rain and a semi naked man in Tattooin Ruth. Before handing this book to children you may want to read selections you want them to see the picture. The poerty will appeal to males and females. They are sure to enjoy this poetry.
I would have the students get into groups to read these poems aloud. The group would pick an every day topic to write about in a humorous way. the group would pick an artist to draw the interpretation of thier poems and they could share their poerty with the class.
This is a hilarious collection of poems. It
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is sure to take the dred out of ordinary poetry that may go too deep for some students. This collection is funny and easy to read.One of the pictures show the naked backside of a child in Dancing in the Rain and a semi naked man in Tattooin Ruth. Before handing this book to children you may want to read selections you want them to see the picture. The poerty will appeal to males and females. They are sure to enjoy this poetry.
I would have the students get into groups to read these poems aloud. The group would pick an every day topic to write about in a humorous way. the group would pick an artist to draw the interpretation of thier poems and they could share their poerty with the class.
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LibraryThing member mj113469
This book is an anthology of children’s poems. Shel Silverstein uses many different types of poetry to make up this book. He uses everyday events and uses those events to twist around and make funny poems. The pictures that go along with each poem help tell the story and are many times humorous
I really enjoyed this book. I read it in elementary so I feel that it would be wonderful to share with today’s students who don’t really care about poetry. To me the pictures are just fine, but some parents might not like a few of the pictures. So I suggest going through the book and finding what pictures you might not agree with and work around those poems.
I would use this book to help teach students poetry. I would have them take a poem they really liked in the book and try to make one up of their own. I might also use this book every morning to beginning the day off on a good start by reading out loud to the class a poem.
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and joyful. It is a collection of funny poems and easy to read poems. I really enjoyed this book. I read it in elementary so I feel that it would be wonderful to share with today’s students who don’t really care about poetry. To me the pictures are just fine, but some parents might not like a few of the pictures. So I suggest going through the book and finding what pictures you might not agree with and work around those poems.
I would use this book to help teach students poetry. I would have them take a poem they really liked in the book and try to make one up of their own. I might also use this book every morning to beginning the day off on a good start by reading out loud to the class a poem.
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LibraryThing member KarinKath
An author that children gravitate to. Fun way to introduce poetry to young children.
LibraryThing member kpickett
Like any She Silverstein, everyone is bound to love this delightful collection of poetry. It still contains Silverstein's dry humor and different view of life and never forgets that the children come first. A winner with any crowd.
LibraryThing member LindseyBallard
This is a fun poetry book for kids. The author did a tremendous job of writing funny, catchy, up beat poetry. There are so many great poems and drawings to incorporate them. The book holds many fascinating characters like Danny O'Dare, the dancin' bear, Headphone Harold and Allison Beals and her
I absolutely fell head over heels in love with this author and his books. This completely changed my prospective on poetry. Not saying I like all poetry, but I do have a love for children's poetry. The up beat rhymes make it fun to read and can tongue-tie you too!
The majority of the poems in this book rhyme. You could have students make up their own verses that rhyme. They can write about something they think is funny, someone they think is funny or themselves! To make it real daring, have the students write a poem about their teacher! That should get some laughs. Or maybe not!
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twenty-five eels.I absolutely fell head over heels in love with this author and his books. This completely changed my prospective on poetry. Not saying I like all poetry, but I do have a love for children's poetry. The up beat rhymes make it fun to read and can tongue-tie you too!
The majority of the poems in this book rhyme. You could have students make up their own verses that rhyme. They can write about something they think is funny, someone they think is funny or themselves! To make it real daring, have the students write a poem about their teacher! That should get some laughs. Or maybe not!
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LibraryThing member rpetty
This is a book with a wide variety of children’s poems. It also has some drawings to go along with the poems. Silverstein has put together a poetry book that is able to connect with every child that is and will be exposed to these fantastic poems.
I had not heard of this book until recently;
For introducing poetry to young students, this book is fantastic. After reading some poems from this book aloud, I would have the children split up into small groups so that they could develop poems of their own. When all the student groups have completed their poems, I would either have one child per group read their poem aloud or I would collect them and I would read each one aloud.
I had not heard of this book until recently;
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however, from the first day I picked it up I have enjoyed reading it not only to myself but to my children also. I will definitely find more books written by this author for my classroom upon graduation.For introducing poetry to young students, this book is fantastic. After reading some poems from this book aloud, I would have the children split up into small groups so that they could develop poems of their own. When all the student groups have completed their poems, I would either have one child per group read their poem aloud or I would collect them and I would read each one aloud.
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LibraryThing member lianedewan
Falling Up is a collection of children’s poems that is accompanied by illustrations. The poems cover a wide variety of subjects.
I always enjoy Shel Silverstein’s poetry. He does a great job of developing poems that are interesting and fun for kids. I look forward to using his poems as a way to
As a classroom extension after reading Falling Up, I would have my students choose a random object out of a bag and have them write a rhyming poem about it.
I always enjoy Shel Silverstein’s poetry. He does a great job of developing poems that are interesting and fun for kids. I look forward to using his poems as a way to
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get my students focused after lunchtime.As a classroom extension after reading Falling Up, I would have my students choose a random object out of a bag and have them write a rhyming poem about it.
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LibraryThing member lauraejensen
This is a super way to illustrate the silliness, the humor and the accessibility of poetry, and an inspiration to write poetry. Anything can be the subject of a poem! I appreciate Silverstein's sophisticated and surreal sense of humor, and the winks he sends children. Endearing, classic. Great to
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use to read aloud, for a poetry unit, for dramatic use, illustration unit. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jenny_Laura
Wow! What an amazing collection of poems for children and adults to read! Now Shel Silverstein knows how to write poetry that can children can relate to. I am definitely planning on sharing this wonderful book with my students. Shel Silverstein has a real unique twist to his writing of the poems
I am planning on using this collection of poems to teach my students about poetry and how it can also be fun! I think that he writes such a variety of poems, that there are endless possibilities of what can be done with them with teaching about poetry.
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that surprises the reader with the twists and turns of the words that he chooses to have in his poems.I am planning on using this collection of poems to teach my students about poetry and how it can also be fun! I think that he writes such a variety of poems, that there are endless possibilities of what can be done with them with teaching about poetry.
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LibraryThing member cmullenix
Love Shel Silverstein! I think I have all of his books and read them often to my children at home and at school. This is one of my favorites because it is jam packed with poems that are silly and fun. Many themes are explored. You can find poems on fairness, greed, food, legendary characters and
My kids have a great time when I read this to them. In fact, my five year old twins usually grab either this one or Don't Bump the Glump, by Silverstein. It is great bonding time because the poems are just so fun and make you laugh. I grew up hearing these poems and wanted tp pass that on to my children so we have been reading them since they were born.
There are so many things that you could do with this book in a classroom. You can explore all of the elements of poetry, but with the humor of Shel Silverstein. When I first introduce poetry the children are immediatly intimidated or bored. This book helps them to realize that there is poetry out there for everyone and that it can be a lot of fun too.
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many more.My kids have a great time when I read this to them. In fact, my five year old twins usually grab either this one or Don't Bump the Glump, by Silverstein. It is great bonding time because the poems are just so fun and make you laugh. I grew up hearing these poems and wanted tp pass that on to my children so we have been reading them since they were born.
There are so many things that you could do with this book in a classroom. You can explore all of the elements of poetry, but with the humor of Shel Silverstein. When I first introduce poetry the children are immediatly intimidated or bored. This book helps them to realize that there is poetry out there for everyone and that it can be a lot of fun too.
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LibraryThing member kjburkhalter
A book of silly poems by Shel Silverstein.
LibraryThing member ccondra
A great collection of inspirational poems would be better to read to older students.
LibraryThing member barnes08
Falling up is a book of poems written by Shel Silverstein. The poems are funny and silly with cute pictures. This book is 171 pages long. There are poems about animals, weather, feelings, creatures, holidays and much more. The pictures helps make since of the poems.
It surprised me that it did not
This book would be a good daily starter. You could read a poem or two to the class before class starts. This would help get the class started and build up appreciation of poetry. You also use it as a starter for English lessons or just for fun. There are many themes through out the book that you could incorporate into the lessons. But most of all it’s just fun and making it fun for children is the goal.
It surprised me that it did not
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take long to read the book. I thought the drawings were funny along with the words. Some of my favorite poems were Complain’ Jack, The monkey, Stupid pencil maker and Carrots. There are many poems about animals in the book and they have humorous lines. This book would be a good daily starter. You could read a poem or two to the class before class starts. This would help get the class started and build up appreciation of poetry. You also use it as a starter for English lessons or just for fun. There are many themes through out the book that you could incorporate into the lessons. But most of all it’s just fun and making it fun for children is the goal.
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LibraryThing member bnray
A cute book of typical Shel Silverstein poems that are fun and creative.
LibraryThing member bestwhensimple
A classic book of poems from the master of children's poetry, Shel Silverstein. Each of the poems in this collection tell the story of an interesting character or event. Some memorable mentions are a battle between the sun and the moon in the sky, the man who was so successful at building a
All of these poems are paired with Silverstein's wonderfully whimsical line drawings. These illustrations expand the meaning of many of the poems, such as the poem titled "Safe?" which is about a young girl who looks both ways before crossing the street. We can see through Silverstein's illustrations that she's not safe because she didn't look up and realize that there was a safe crashing down above her. These details make each of the poems a surprise, usually revolving around a complex pun.
This is a book that every child should read at least once. I was lucky enough to have Shel Silverstein's hilarious collection fall into my lap when I was a child.
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keep-out house that he wasn't able to get in, and the kid who dreamed that he had switched places with his teachers at school. All of these poems are paired with Silverstein's wonderfully whimsical line drawings. These illustrations expand the meaning of many of the poems, such as the poem titled "Safe?" which is about a young girl who looks both ways before crossing the street. We can see through Silverstein's illustrations that she's not safe because she didn't look up and realize that there was a safe crashing down above her. These details make each of the poems a surprise, usually revolving around a complex pun.
This is a book that every child should read at least once. I was lucky enough to have Shel Silverstein's hilarious collection fall into my lap when I was a child.
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LibraryThing member RosesAreRed
This is one of my favorite books from childhood.
LibraryThing member BridgetMarie
Simple enough to have read it all the way through when I was six years old, now as an adult I love this collection even more. I can still remember the tune I made up to Needles and Pins. When I was six.
Awards
Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Award (First runner-up — 1999)
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 1999)
Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 1999)
Great Lakes Great Books Award (Winner — 1999)
Golden Archer Award (Winner — Intermediate — 1998)
Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee — 1999)
Kid's Choice Award (Nominee — 1998)
Maine Student Book Award (Winner — 1998)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Top Ten — 1997)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1996-09
Physical description
171 p.; 8.8 x 1 inches
ISBN
0060248025 / 9780060248024