A Light in the Attic
by Shel Silverstein
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Book Reviews of A Light in the Attic
Book Review: A review by a children's author
Summary: 5 Stars
I read Shel Silverstein when I was young and I loved his poetry. I used to read it to the kids I babysat (and I never sat on a baby) and I now read it to my own children. What can be said that hasn't been said already? This: Shel Silverstein wrote more than just silly. Some of his greatest poems bring tears to my eyes and make me think about things like justice, death, love, and even my Creator. Pretty deep stuff. I personally believe it's that inane sense of humor he had combined with an almost philosophical take on life that mades Shel a great children's poet.
Some of my favorite poems by Shel are in this collection, The Light in the Attic.
The Little Boy and the Old Man should make any person who reads it think about aging and reaching out to our loved ones who are er, how shall I say it, a little past their prime and also to those who haven't quite reached their prime yet. And How Many, How Much is a wonderful reminder that friendship starts in your own heart.
And I wonder, was one of my favorite movies (Bruce Almighty) inspired by one of my favorite Shel Silverstein poems (God's Wheel)? Did the writer read that poem and think "What a great premise for a movie!" Could be. Whatever the case I know his work was one of my inspirations in becoming a children's writer. And now I'm writing a book of poetry for children and as I craft it I returned to all these funny, touching, ironic, wistful, poems and realized, "Uh oh, I set the bar too low. I need to kick it up a notch." I so I strive to do just that.
My nightmare is being compared by a cranky reviewer to Shel Silverstein, "This writer is an imposter to the throne of the great Shel." Let me state here and now that I don't want the throne. I would just like to sit under a oak tree in the courtyard outside the palace if that's okay. And while I'm there I'll just take a big whiff of the rosebush that stayed so very small (read the book and you shall see what I mean).
Finally, let me add this, I believe these poems expanded my creativity in my younger years and I believe they expand it to this very day. Buy a Light in the Attic for your children and read the poems together. You will expand their vocabulary, help them develop a sense of comedic timing, cultivate an interest in poetry, and give them their first lessons in philosophy, all the while having a fantastic time together. Now that's what I call maximum return on a minimal investment(...)
Book Review: Not just for kids
Summary: 5 Stars
For kids, this book is excellent. It is filled with funny, irreverent poetry that really seems to locate the core essence of childhood and speaks to children at their level without talking down to them. Kids will find this book funny and refreshing because it treats them like people instead of little kids.
But that's really only half the story. Underneath the "children's book" veneer is what appears to be a love letter from the author to some unnamed other person. It really didn't strike me that this was the case until about halfway through I came across the poem about misunderstandings, apologies, and forgiveness. Then, the huge random listing of poems suddenly made a whole lot more sense. Each poem is a small extract of Siverstein's relationship with this person. He even feels safe to talk with this person about philosophical topics as in "The Big G and the Little A" which is a rebuke of atheism.
His poems discuss all sorts of things ranging from aspirations and limitations (Rock and Roll Band) to the everyday occurences of meeting funny people (The Babysitter). The poems make sense when read within the context of a love letter. It is as if Silverstein gives us a little peek into a few years of his life with this loved one. Funny observations, hopes and dreams, love, forgiveness.
The first poem, A Light in the Attic, gives the first clue that this book isn't just about children's poems. In the poem, he spies a light coming from his lover's attic and knows that it isn't only himself who is looking, but also that his lover is looking out at him. Maybe they have only been together a short time and are unsure how to proceed, but he tells that person, "If I can read your thoughts, I see a fire in your eyes that is afraid to come out. I love you, and I think that you love me too."
By all means, get this book for your kids. They will love it. But take the time to enjoy it for yourself. Silverstein has cleverly disguised his love letter as a bunch of silly children's poems.
Book Review: As sweet as they used to be
Summary: 5 Stars
Silverstein is our favorite author of children's books. He is just perfect! In fact his works are as good for the parents as for their children. Whichever Silverstein's book I bought for any of my five children (each one of them has his own Silverstein), we have ALL read them. That includes my children, myself, and even sometimes my husband. "Light in the Attic" is no exception to that rule. I think that all of Shel's books are equally good. Check also Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook, A Giraffe and a Half, Where the Sidewalk Ends 30th Anniversary Edition: Poems and Drawings. If you are a loving mother that wants to see smile on your child's face, give him Silverstein - it's children's literature classic and a safe bet. A recent discovery for me is Boszenna Nowiki and her series Why Some Cats are Rascals, Book 1, Why Some Cats are Rascals, Book 2, Why Some Cats are Rascals ( Book 3) with some very touching stories of speaking cats...
Book Review: Book Review for a Light in th Attic
Summary: 4 Stars
Hi, my name is Dusty McGruder and I read the book A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein. This book is a book of poetry so there is not really a main plot, setting, conflict, or resolution. However, there are sometimes plots, settings, conflicts, and resolutions for each individual poem.
For example, in the poem Rock 'N' Roll Band, the plot is that seven kids are dreaming about bing a rock & roll band. It takes place on an imaginary stage and at the beach. The conflict is not an ordinary one. It is between the kids imagination and reality. It is solved by the kids realizing that the are not a rock & roll band.
An example of there not really being a plot, setting, conflict, or resolution is in the poem Prayer of the Selfish Child. It only has a setting which is in a little kids room at night before bedtime.
Although most of the poems do not really have a plot, setting, conflict, or resolution, the majority of the poems teach a moral. They are also very up-beat and a good read if you are down.
I would recommend this book to kids and younger teenagers because it primarily directed toward them as an audience. This book also has a lot of humor about weird things so therefore, anyone who likes humorous poetry would also like this book.
Book Review: A kid pleaser
Summary: 5 Stars
Shel Silverstein has the unique ability to see life from a young person's perspective. His poems are fun, witting and totally on the mark. These books were a favorite for our youngest son, especially when he had to memorize a poem for school. Kids can relate to the silliness and the sublte lessons of life that these poems quietly give the reader both young and old.
These poems make a kid feel like he/she's not the only one to feel alone, or out of touch, and just about every alienating emotion a young person might have. That to me is the strength of Silverstein's writings. He clues on in what's going on inside a kid's head and lets him/her know that they are not alone in their thoughts, even the selfish ones as in Prayer of a Selfish Child;
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
And if I die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my toys to break.
So none of the other kids can use 'em . . .
Amen
Even adults can appreciate Silverstein. I can't help but think of a couple going through a divorce when I read Prayer of a Selfish Child. And I laughed. Silverstein layers his poems so that all who read them can enjoy them.
When I Dream