Banned Books Week: Shel Silverstein

re: Banned Books Week: Shel Silverstein

FirstSonBigBrother — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:48:58 GMT

I have read Mr. Silverstein's articles, stories, and poetry. What poetry! All was poetry. I own copies of "Little Black Sambo," "Five Chinese Brothers," and "Good Night Moon." The one with the author holding a cigarette on the back cover. Kids love when I read from each, all wondering why they haven't heard of these books, especially since they've been around so long.

Life's complicated enough. Lighten up.

re: Banned Books Week: Shel Silverstein

iTito — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:34:17 GMT

I think that the giving tree was a very good book for young readers, but it may be considered sexist to others, so you have to watch it.

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re: Banned Books Week: Shel Silverstein

Mother of 5 — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:14:14 GMT

I raised 5 kids to grow into wonderful adults. Not one of my children threw a dish, ate a baby, refused to take the garbage out, and to think we read Shel Silverstein's Where The Side Walk Ends book of poems almost every night. My kids LOVED that book. Oh and 4 of the 5 graduated #1 in their class.. WOW I would take that book off of the shelf.. It's so bad! NOT! DO the people that make those decisions even have children I wonder? And if they do, They need to RELIZE... Children need to be taught.. REALITY... IMAGINATION...Its part of life! Get a clue people.

re: Banned Books Week: Shel Silverstein

RACHELOLIVIA — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:59:05 GMT

I am laughing hysterically at feefifoto's comment. I LOVE Shel Silverstein. His books are what made me understand that you can ENJOY reading! And still after finishing one book, then want to read more!

re: Banned Books Week: Shel Silverstein

MommyAndretti — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:56:52 GMT

Honestly, The Giving Tree is the one that I feel needs the most explanation and guidance from the parents. It's deeply tragic, and my 5 year old son cried when I read it the first time. What? Life, in the really big sense, could turn out really unhappy? Yikes!! :-)

re: Banned Books Week: Shel Silverstein

feefifoto — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:50:18 GMT

REBELLION AGAINST PARENTS?! Shel Silverstein advocates rebellion against parents? By all means, remove him from the libraries and schools because if it weren't for him kids would never on their own come up with idea of rebelling against their parents.

re: Banned Books Week: Shel Silverstein

Jen L — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:51:30 GMT

"Where the Sidewalk Ends" was one of my faves growing up. I can still recite a lot of the poems from memory. I remember being somewhat scandalized to learn (as an adult) that he wrote for Playboy. I always thought the picture on the dust jacket looked a little like one of my parents hippy friends - it was the 70s after all. The dust jackets are long gone, but my books are patiently waiting for my daughter (14 months) to get a little older. I don't want her tearing out all the pages.

re: Banned Books Week: Shel Silverstein

anon — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:47:35 GMT

I just wonder if any of these book-banners have ever met an actual kid. Many kids engage in imaginary play that can be quite violent in their imaginations - it's part of learning and exploring! Silverstein's someone ate the baby has nothing on my kid - who threatens to feed me to the lions at the zoo when I put her in timeout!

re: Banned Books Week: Shel Silverstein

Kris — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:27:26 GMT

We read our 13-month-old poems from Silverstein's books every night before bed. It's my husband's favorite time of day.