A new poetry book chock full of unpublished poems and artwork by the beloved Silverstein joins the ranks of the "New York Times"-bestselling poetry...
read full description
reviews
Nov 15, 2011
Jeanette
rated it: 
There really is a Dead Poets Society, and Shel Silverstein must be the president. Imagine my delight (and my goosebumps) when I learned that he had put out another book of poetry and pictures just for me---FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE!
I don't want to share too much, because the joy of reading Shel's poems is in the surprise you get when you hit the best lines. You also really need the artwork to fully appreciate the poems.
Here's the first poem in the book:
YEARS FROM NOW More...
I don't want to share too much, because the joy of reading Shel's poems is in the surprise you get when you hit the best lines. You also really need the artwork to fully appreciate the poems.
Here's the first poem in the book:
YEARS FROM NOW More...
10 comments
like
(9 people liked it)
Oct 21, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Ava is reading this delightfully by herself and with us at night. As soon as I handed it to her, she sat down and read it for 20 minutes, laughing every few pages. It is wonderful. Shel Silverstein was a genius. He is able to tap into the heart of the child in all of us in such a unique way. Add this to your collection!
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Oct 05, 2011
Beth
rated it:
Oh happy day! Just bought this wonderful book today! It is great! Pure Shel delights! Read parts of it to a children's group at our local book store this morning & they loved it. They were ages 1-5. It starts with
Years From Now
Although I cannot see your face
As you flip these poems awhile
Somewhere from some far-off place
I hear you laughing-and I smile.
(I am sure Shel was smiling a lot this morning as the children not only smiled but l More...
Years From Now
Although I cannot see your face
As you flip these poems awhile
Somewhere from some far-off place
I hear you laughing-and I smile.
(I am sure Shel was smiling a lot this morning as the children not only smiled but l More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 07, 2011
Lynn
rated it:
The only poet I ever, truly enjoyed! Just finished "A Stolen Life" by Jaycee Dugard...time for some light reading.
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jan 05, 2012
Pamela
rated it:
Everything On It by Shel Silverstein showcases poems he wrote during his life but that he thought just didn't fit into any of the previous collections of poems published.
Most children, parents and educators are very familiar with his works for children. What many may not realize is that Shel Silverstein was a genius -- literally -- of the written word. He was a storyteller nonpareil.
He not only wrote the extensive collections of children's poems for which he is so revered in More...
Most children, parents and educators are very familiar with his works for children. What many may not realize is that Shel Silverstein was a genius -- literally -- of the written word. He was a storyteller nonpareil.
He not only wrote the extensive collections of children's poems for which he is so revered in More...
Nov 25, 2011
Becky
rated it: 
I know I'm biased since I had so many of his classic collections read to me as a kid, but this was just delightful. His poems have such a love-of-childhood's-mess-and-darkness feel, and some were sad and macabre to me as an adult, but I never noticed as a kid. Though I don't think all of these poems are of the caliber of his "intentional" collections, they still show his skill with rhythm, rhyme, wordplay, and visual punchlines.
Favorite poems:
p. 20 - Masks
p. 3 More...
Favorite poems:
p. 20 - Masks
p. 3 More...
Nov 15, 2011
Joel
rated it:
This is the fourth collection of poetry and cartoon art, following the wildly popular "Where the Sidewalk Ends", "A Light in the Attic", and "Falling Up". Fans of the late songwriter won't be disappointed by the genius rhymes and zany illustrations that dominated the earlier works. It's probably no secret that a rhyming dictionary was buried alongside Shel Silverstein.
Much like the others, this book comprises over 150 poems, mostly nonsense, but ther More...
Much like the others, this book comprises over 150 poems, mostly nonsense, but ther More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 02, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
He is one of my idols, so hard to go wrong with Shel's genius. This new collection of poetry is published posthumous, which had me a little skeptical about quality, but they are just as good as his previous. Some of my favorites:
DON'T CHANGE ON MY ACCOUNT
If you're sloppy, that's just fine.
If you're moody, I won't mind.
If you're fat, that's fine with me.
If you're skinny, let it be.
If you're bossy, that's all right.
If you're nasty, I won't fight.
More...
DON'T CHANGE ON MY ACCOUNT
If you're sloppy, that's just fine.
If you're moody, I won't mind.
If you're fat, that's fine with me.
If you're skinny, let it be.
If you're bossy, that's all right.
If you're nasty, I won't fight.
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 17, 2011
Barbara
rated it:
More than 100 new poems by the wonderful Shel Silverstein. As always, his poems and drawings are unique, clever, and filled with the poet's unique perspective on the world. Although I don't love every single one of the poems or their accompanying sketches, there are many that appealed to my ears and eyes and made me smile in that special way this man's poems often do. Who but Shel Silverstein would take so literally a hot dog with every thing on it, including a flag, fiddle, and a frog? "Pe
More...
Jan 08, 2012
Gene
rated it:
Every Thing on It
Shel Silverstein
Dear Shel,
How are you doing? I love your books! I just read your book, "Every Thing on It." It is hilarious. Where did you get all the ideas about a nasty school or a genie in a flask that makes people his slave or a man eating plant? You have so many jokes and riddles that pull me in. I give "Every Thing on It" 5 stars!
I thought your book will be boring because for me, poems are usually boring. But when I read E More...
Shel Silverstein
Dear Shel,
How are you doing? I love your books! I just read your book, "Every Thing on It." It is hilarious. Where did you get all the ideas about a nasty school or a genie in a flask that makes people his slave or a man eating plant? You have so many jokes and riddles that pull me in. I give "Every Thing on It" 5 stars!
I thought your book will be boring because for me, poems are usually boring. But when I read E More...
Dec 14, 2011
Penny
rated it:
Silverstein’s signature ink drawings on white backgrounds and distinctive rhymes are back with a collection of over 140 poems that will have the same appeal as his bestsellers Where the Sidewalk Ends (1974) and Light In the Attic (1981). Some of the poems are just two lines, others are three pages, but all will find fans. In many ways, the poem and its illustration are dependent upon one another to make an impact. There are a few poems that are stories, some riddle poems, and many “list” poem
More...
Jan 14, 2012
Rebecca
rated it: 
Take an absurd situation, add tension and anger, plot twists and turns leading the reader by the seat of their pants and then resolve it how you like. The concept runs the show. The tangible realities that make up the story are off color, lewd, from the dark side. One story has only the words meat and potatoes and is a four act play in which a woman is assaulted, murders her attacker, is judged in court, and electrocuted. The meaning is in the gestures of the actors (written in parentheses) rath
More...
Jan 24, 2012
Erik
rated it:
From Amazon: "With more than one hundred and thirty never-before-seen poems and drawings completed by the cherished American artist and selected by his family from his archives, this collection will follow in the tradition and format of his acclaimed poetry classics. "
Yes, it does. Reading this book of poetry brought me back to my childhood, wondering out loud what some of the poems and pictures in Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic really meant, laughing ou More...
Yes, it does. Reading this book of poetry brought me back to my childhood, wondering out loud what some of the poems and pictures in Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic really meant, laughing ou More...
Jan 07, 2012
Cristina
rated it:
A spider lives inside my head
Who weaves a strange and wondrous web
Of silken threads and silver strings
To catch all sorts of flying things,
Like crumbs of thought and bits of smiles
And specks of dried-up tears,
And dust of dreams that catch and cling
For years and years and years…
So begins the touching, magical, and often hilarious, collection of 145 previously unpublished poems from beloved children’s author Shel Silverstein. I read the book in More...
Who weaves a strange and wondrous web
Of silken threads and silver strings
To catch all sorts of flying things,
Like crumbs of thought and bits of smiles
And specks of dried-up tears,
And dust of dreams that catch and cling
For years and years and years…
So begins the touching, magical, and often hilarious, collection of 145 previously unpublished poems from beloved children’s author Shel Silverstein. I read the book in More...
Jan 12, 2012
Claudia
rated it:
Oh my...this is a love letter to every person who ever read a poem by Silverstein and smiled. From the first poem to the last we are reminded of the talent we lost when he died. But we see his own vulnerability, his own goodbye wave. I seemed to find a theme of soft sadness, of passing the torch, of reminding his readers that we also are artists and poets and storytellers.
I also found that irreverent smart a** who wrote poems just to poke censors in the eye...to be outrageous, childl More...
I also found that irreverent smart a** who wrote poems just to poke censors in the eye...to be outrageous, childl More...
Sep 27, 2011
katsok
rated it:
My parents purchased The Sidewalk Ends for me in second grade. I still have my copy, with my name lettered inside the front copy. The book is basically falling apart, it has been read and reread so many times. It is in my classroom library now so my students can see what it looks like when a book is loved. I will be forever grateful for a new volume in my Silverstein collection, made all the more special because it seemed impossible. And this one is destined to be as special to a new generation
More...
2 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Oct 10, 2011
Cheryl in CC NV
rated it:
Sorry, I can't seem to put together a coherent review. If you want my personal and idiosyncratic reaction, read on. If you want a well-written review, move on.
If you own the other three, you'll want to buy this. I will be buying this to re-read often. After all, my teenage son and husband both are fans, too. If you've ever enjoyed anything by Silverstein, at least read this. Then buy the set.
I do believe I can tell it was edited posthumously - it isn't quite as pe More...
If you own the other three, you'll want to buy this. I will be buying this to re-read often. After all, my teenage son and husband both are fans, too. If you've ever enjoyed anything by Silverstein, at least read this. Then buy the set.
I do believe I can tell it was edited posthumously - it isn't quite as pe More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Feb 15, 2012
Leah
rated it: 
Every Thing On It by Shel Silverstein
★ ★ ★
This book was a posthumous release of poems and drawings by Shel Silverstein. Unlike the poems I grew up with by Silverstein, this book definitely seemed rough. But that's not too surprising. As with most posthumous work, you have to wonder if the author even meant for such work to be released to the public. I can only imagine that Silverstein would have been less than thrilled to have some of these poems released into a book. And I More...
★ ★ ★
This book was a posthumous release of poems and drawings by Shel Silverstein. Unlike the poems I grew up with by Silverstein, this book definitely seemed rough. But that's not too surprising. As with most posthumous work, you have to wonder if the author even meant for such work to be released to the public. I can only imagine that Silverstein would have been less than thrilled to have some of these poems released into a book. And I More...
Nov 08, 2011
Kristin
rated it:
The thing that makes Shel Silverstein a genius is that his unquestionable hilarity makes the truly profound moments that much more poignant. It's hard to believe this many wonderful poems were never published in Silverstein's lifetime. One of my favorite things about reading this collection was how much it brought me back to my childhood. And it made me realize how much Silverstein has influenced my own silly, macabre sense of humor. It was also neat to recognize writers like Edward Gorey and Ro
More...
Jan 25, 2012
Tabitha
rated it:
I read Silverstein’s first book, Where The Sidewalk Ends, when it was first published. I was fascinated, and even memorized some of my favorites (like Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take The Garbage Out—love it!). When A Light In The Attic and Falling Up came out, I snatched up those books and devoured them, too. But they didn’t have the magic that Where The Sidewalk Ends had. I’m not sure why, or even what was missing, but something was definitely missing.
When Every Thing On It More...
When Every Thing On It More...
Nov 07, 2011
Dolly
rated it:
I have loved Shel Silverstein's books for decades. Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic were two of my favorite books as a child. So, when I heard that a new book was being released, I just couldn't wait to share it with our girls.
I had a lot of fun reading these poems to our girls. They are very reminiscent of his earlier works, although somehow they felt a bit more melancholy to me (perhaps because it was published posthumously.) Still, the illustrations are just More...
I had a lot of fun reading these poems to our girls. They are very reminiscent of his earlier works, although somehow they felt a bit more melancholy to me (perhaps because it was published posthumously.) Still, the illustrations are just More...
Oct 23, 2011
Nicole
rated it:
i was really excited when i saw a new collection of works from shel silverstein, as i grew up loving "where the sidewalk ends" and "a light in the attic." there were some real gems in this collection, of course, but overall it seemed darker than his previous collections. or maybe that's just me approaching this one as an adult, whereas the others were childhood favorites that i remember my 1st grade teacher reading to me. maybe it's time to re-read the others - it's been
More...
May 18, 2011
Angela
rated it:
Shel Silverstein was my hero when I was nine, so I've added this new collection to that list based on just the few sample poems included in my review copy. The perfect line illustrations and provocative poems are just as wonderful as the classic collections.
Give a reluctant reader a Silverstein collection, sit back, and let them devour the delectable creations from the brain of a literary genius.
I know Shel Silverstein is on the Banned and Challenged lists is many states, More...
Give a reluctant reader a Silverstein collection, sit back, and let them devour the delectable creations from the brain of a literary genius.
I know Shel Silverstein is on the Banned and Challenged lists is many states, More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Dec 03, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
Just like Tupac Shakur, Shel Silverstein keeps coming out with more work, years after his death. But I can't complain, because Every Thing on It is every bit as good (or at least almost as good) as Where the Sidewalk Ends or A Light in the Attic. It's a great mix of short, four-line poems, and long, 2-3 page ones, reflective and fart humor, and everything in between.
Just like in Silverstein's other books, there are a quite a few poems that don't make sense without the accompanying More...
Just like in Silverstein's other books, there are a quite a few poems that don't make sense without the accompanying More...
Dec 01, 2011
Joanie
rated it:
What a wonderful collection of poems! I've always been a fan so I was expecting to enjoy this one, and boy, did I ever LOVE it. There really is a bit of everything in this one. Kids will love the funny and silly poems, but for the grown ups, there are quite a few that will touch your heart. I laughed the loudest for Garlic Breath (p. 57), so much so that my grandpa asked what I was chuckling over.
I have so many favourites: Masks (p. 20), Yesees And Noees (p. 65), Growing Down (p. 77), More...
I have so many favourites: Masks (p. 20), Yesees And Noees (p. 65), Growing Down (p. 77), More...
Oct 18, 2011
Lori
rated it:
Shel Silverstein may or may not be responsible for my obsession with books and reading, so needless to say I was thrilled when I learned that this book was going to be released this year.
For once, the reality matched the fantasy.
I love this book. I read it in two large gulps, and was only forced to put it down the first time because I started it while waiting for some work to be done on my car. So when it was ready, I had to drive myself home. No reading and driving, ki More...
For once, the reality matched the fantasy.
I love this book. I read it in two large gulps, and was only forced to put it down the first time because I started it while waiting for some work to be done on my car. So when it was ready, I had to drive myself home. No reading and driving, ki More...
Feb 15, 2012
Rita_book
rated it:
This final collection from Shel Silverstein was enjoyable, but it didn't have some of the pizazz of his earlier works. Nevertheless, children and fans of humorous poetry will find a lot to like. Some of the poems were dark, and I miss the longer poems (such as appear in Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic), but I still wouldn't pass it up. A worthwhile read, if only to remind yourself of the unequaled place that Silverstein has in the world of children's poetry.
More...
Dec 15, 2011
Amy
rated it:
Classic Silverstein and I loved it. Most of it made me laugh and some of it is gross which is why he is so popular.
One of my favorites:
DON'T CHANGE ON MY ACCOUNT
“If you’re sloppy, that’s just fine.
If you’re moody, I won’t mind.
If you’re fat, that’s fine with me.
If you’re skinny, let it be.
If you’re bossy, that’s alright.
If you’re nasty, I won’t fight.
If you’re rough, well that’s just you.
If you’re mean, that’s alright too. More...
One of my favorites:
DON'T CHANGE ON MY ACCOUNT
“If you’re sloppy, that’s just fine.
If you’re moody, I won’t mind.
If you’re fat, that’s fine with me.
If you’re skinny, let it be.
If you’re bossy, that’s alright.
If you’re nasty, I won’t fight.
If you’re rough, well that’s just you.
If you’re mean, that’s alright too. More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Nov 06, 2011
Mary
rated it:
Not really sure where to put this one because it has drawings in it, but it's poetry. Either way, I wanted to read it because Silverstein was one of my favorites as a kid. I was also a little worried that he wouldn't hold the same magic that he did back in the day, but he did. I didn't love all the poems, but I loved a good number of him. And the things I used to love about him are still there. The drawings are still weird and a little bit creepy and they still tell as much of the story as
More...
Sep 24, 2011
Caiti
rated it:
We used this fabulous new book from Shel Silverstein for storytime this afternoon and it drew a great crowd. The parents and I had just as much fun as the kids! After reading and laughing over several of the books poems and drawings, we colored our own crazy toppings onto our hot dogs, just like in the poem, "Every Thing on It." Every one took home a bookmark and a magnent, with another poem from the book, so they could display their work proudly on the fridge. Thanks to the publishers
More...
