Parents' Guide to

Where the Sidewalk Ends

By Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Irresistible collection of clever, hilarious poems.

Book Shel Silverstein Poetry 2004
Where the Sidewalk Ends Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 6+

Based on 4 parent reviews

sara3456
sara3456 Adult
May 11, 2021
age 6+

fun!

Mrs. C. B.
Mrs. C. B. Parent of 7 and 9-year-old
September 22, 2017
age 6+
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Shel Silverstein opens WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS with an invitation to dreamers, wishers, liars, and more to gather round and spin "flax-golden tales." What follows is a charming collection of wittily subversive poems and line drawings: There's a fed-up boy trying to sell his sister, a child who hoards wishes, a boy who uses his magical eraser to handle a skeptic, a lazy girl who just waits for it to rain so she can have something to drink, a warning about the sharp-toothed snail that lies in wait for nose-pickers. The 30th anniversary edition published in 2004 includes an extra dozen poems.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (2 ):
Where the Sidewalk Ends is a treasure trove for young readers: eloquent, outrageous, subversive, nonsensical, and daring. Shel Silverstein comes across as favorite uncle, gleefully snickering along with the kids even as he comforts their hurts and gently shares lessons on living a good and vibrant life.
Silverstein's poems -- rhythmic and packed with clever gags -- are favorites for memorization and recitation. His playful language and eccentric artwork are irresistible. And his joyful glee is contagious: His work is a surefire way to inspire kids to write poems of their own.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the many styles of poetry in Where the Sidewalk Ends. Look for rhyming words, visual gags, and different forms of rhythm and repetition.
  • Write poetry together. To get started, choose one of Silverstein's poems and try writing an extra verse or two. A good starting point is "Toucan," which ends with the lines: "Who can write some/ More about the toucan?/ You can!"
  • Listen to Silverstein's recording of Where the Sidewalk Ends. Some of the poems in collection were also set to music, including "The Unicorn," "Helping," and "Boa Constrictor."

Book Details

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