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242nd out of 24,563 books
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93,762 voters
A Light in the Attic
It's hard to imagine a world without A Light in the Attic. This now-classic collection of poetry and drawings from Shel Silverstein celebrates its 20th anniversary with this special edition. Silverstein's humorous and creative verse can amuse the dowdiest of readers. Lemon-faced adults and fidgety kids sit still and read these rhythmic words and laugh and smile and love th...more
Hardcover, 176 pages
Published
October 1st 2002
by Harpercollins Childrens Books
(first published January 1st 1981)
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Mar 07, 2008
Austin
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Austin by:
Almost Everyone
Every child eventually discovers the perverted old man who wrote songs for Johnny Cash, did illustrations for Playboy, appeared on the Dr. Demento show numerous times, and managed to get a few books published along the way.
For some reason, parents never seem to think this creepy old guy who was so fond of children was in any way "disturbing," something I'm continually impressed with in the "ban now, ask questions later" climate of modern culture. If there are people who don't like Shel Silverst...more
For some reason, parents never seem to think this creepy old guy who was so fond of children was in any way "disturbing," something I'm continually impressed with in the "ban now, ask questions later" climate of modern culture. If there are people who don't like Shel Silverst...more
Apr 09, 2007
Janine
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who is or was a child. Those who were never children probably wouldn't get it anyway.
Shelves:
kidsbooks
The feelings I have about Shel Silverstein's A Light in the Attic and Where The Sidewalk Ends contrast so sharply with the books themselves. I loved these funny, whimsical and sometimes downright sadistic poems with all of my young heart. Even now, I feel like I'm getting away with something when I think of Clarence Lee from Tennesee who loved the commercials he saw on TV. I am still afraid for Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too who never returned to the world they knew. In Shel Silverstein's bo...more
11 likes · like · see review
Recently, I started re-reading A Light in the Attic with my younger daughter, who's four-and-a-half. I think when I first read it I must have been about eight or nine years old, because I remember reading it myself, and loving it. (I must have checked it out of the library about a million times.) What's not to love? Shel gives us such gems as:
BEAR IN THERE
There's a Polar Bear
In our Frigidaire--
He likes it 'cause it's cold in there.
With his seat in the meat
And his face in the fish
And his big hair...more
BEAR IN THERE
There's a Polar Bear
In our Frigidaire--
He likes it 'cause it's cold in there.
With his seat in the meat
And his face in the fish
And his big hair...more
9 likes · like · see review
Jun 08, 2012
Michael Strode
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
youthlit,
read-in-2012
In the pantheon of literature shaping my nascent creative flicker, Shel Silverstein remains a master of lunacy and language. Long after losing my appetite for R.L. Stine's "Fear Street" or the frightful suspense of Alvin Schwartz' "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark", Silverstein's whimsical passages continue to invoke nostalgic and thoughtful reflection. Of "The Giving Tree", my mother echoes the undeviating refrain that it is a woeful fable of an ungrateful child and a loving, long suffering pa...more
Oct 26, 2007
Cathy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who giggle
Shelves:
hilarious,
banned-books
Shel Silverstein was misunderstood.
He was a genius, but not an evil one. Just a hilarious one.
His books are looked at with suspicion. But shouldn't be, because they are full of fun, pun, and literate value.
Here is why this one was challenged by others, however:
"features a caricature of a person whose nude behind has been stung by a bee; the poem 'Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony' is morbid; imparts a 'dreary' and 'negative' message; encourages kids to break dishes so that they won't have t...more
He was a genius, but not an evil one. Just a hilarious one.
His books are looked at with suspicion. But shouldn't be, because they are full of fun, pun, and literate value.
Here is why this one was challenged by others, however:
"features a caricature of a person whose nude behind has been stung by a bee; the poem 'Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony' is morbid; imparts a 'dreary' and 'negative' message; encourages kids to break dishes so that they won't have t...more
Shel Silverstein was the author of my childhood, and I was surprised to find that, in (sort of) adulthood, A light in the Attic hasn't lost any of its charm. In fact, I've discovered new layers of humor and meaning I couldn't have processed when I was eight.
I credit Shel Silverstein with my early love of poetry and, ultimately, literature. Recommend to anyone at any age, but a GREAT gift for a godson/ goddaughter, niece/ nephew, etc.. They'll cherish it forever!
I credit Shel Silverstein with my early love of poetry and, ultimately, literature. Recommend to anyone at any age, but a GREAT gift for a godson/ goddaughter, niece/ nephew, etc.. They'll cherish it forever!
When I first got this book, I thought it was really weird. Funny, but really weird. The fact that it was a Christmas gift and I liked picking out my own books further spooked me from it. But as I heard more and more about Shel Silverstein, I took a bit of pride from the fact that I had one of his books before any of my (few) book reading friends had ever heard of him, and now it is one of those books where no matter how many times I read a poem from it, or look at the illustrations, it never get...more
One picture puzzle piece
Lyin’ on the sidewalk,
One picture puzzle piece
Soakin’ in the rain.
It might be a button of blue
On the coat of the woman
Who lived in a shoe.
It might be a magical bean,
Or a fold in the red
Velvet robe of a queen.
It might be the one little bite
Of the apple her stepmother
Gave to Snow White.
It might be the veil of a bride
Or a bottle with some evil genie inside.
It might be a small tuft of hair
On the big bouncy belly
Of Bobo the Bear.
It might be a bit of the cloak
Of the Witch of th...more
Lyin’ on the sidewalk,
One picture puzzle piece
Soakin’ in the rain.
It might be a button of blue
On the coat of the woman
Who lived in a shoe.
It might be a magical bean,
Or a fold in the red
Velvet robe of a queen.
It might be the one little bite
Of the apple her stepmother
Gave to Snow White.
It might be the veil of a bride
Or a bottle with some evil genie inside.
It might be a small tuft of hair
On the big bouncy belly
Of Bobo the Bear.
It might be a bit of the cloak
Of the Witch of th...more
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein is a superb book of poetry for intended readers P and above. To this day, as an adult, I find in joy in reading Silverstein’s books and am enticed by the wit and humor of his poetic compositions. The poems are brilliantly and effortlessly crafted so that beginners can be exposed to simple poetic devices including rhyme, alliteration, imagery, rhythm, etc. Some of the poems are odd, but overall they are whimsical, lighthearted, fun and easy to follow.
The...more
The...more
A light in the attic is a poetry book full of fun, quirky poems. Silverstein has a great, somewhat dark sense of humor. The witty book is full of irony and satire. This would be a great book to give kids inspiration to write their own verses.
The poems are well-space in the book. There's about one poem per page, and they have plenty of white space around them, plenty of room to breathe. The illustrations are simple line drawings with a rough, sketchy style and very little value changes. It is not...more
The poems are well-space in the book. There's about one poem per page, and they have plenty of white space around them, plenty of room to breathe. The illustrations are simple line drawings with a rough, sketchy style and very little value changes. It is not...more
It is hard to be objective about a classic, such as Shel Silverstein's A Light in the Attic. Obviously it has withstood the test of time and the critiques of much more esteemed critics than I. And I do appreciate the odd and humorous, strange and often creepy peek into the author's imagination. The poems are actually quite dark, and I can only think that there is no going back once children open the cover onto the likes of "Headache," in which a tree is growing out of a man's head, or the title...more
This was my first ever poetry book that I had to do a project for. My fourth grade teacher, Ms. Shaw, told us to pick a poem that described us or that interested us and memorize it. She then told us we would have to dress up based on what the plot of the story was and then present it to the class. I remember I was so nervous because I don't like speaking in front of people I know, but I finally found a poem that described me, which was "Invitation." I described me because I was a huge dreamer wh...more
My brother sent A Light in the Attic to me last month, much to my delight. I have such fond memories of reading Shel Silverstein poems as a child, so sitting down to read page after page of strange, unusual, quirky and often funny poetry with my daughters was magical. Reading the poems through adult eyes, I found the poems to be darker than I had remembered them. Yes, they were still as fun, silly and thought provoking as I recalled but there is a definite air of macabre throughout the book. It...more
1. Genre: Poetry
2. This is a humorous and whimsical collection of short Shel Silverstein poems suitable for children (and adults) of all ages.
3. a)Area for Comment: Humor
b) Shel Silverstein is fantastic at humor that is great for children of all ages. The humor he uses allows the reader to stay interested as well as providing a flowing, whimsical feel.
c) Backward Bill is an hilarious poem about a backwards man. "You walk through the window and you look out the door." This line alone, will have c...more
2. This is a humorous and whimsical collection of short Shel Silverstein poems suitable for children (and adults) of all ages.
3. a)Area for Comment: Humor
b) Shel Silverstein is fantastic at humor that is great for children of all ages. The humor he uses allows the reader to stay interested as well as providing a flowing, whimsical feel.
c) Backward Bill is an hilarious poem about a backwards man. "You walk through the window and you look out the door." This line alone, will have c...more
1. Genre: Junior Book - Poetry
2. This is a compilation of poems form Shel Silverstein that will have even the grumpiest of old men cracking a smile. The witty use of verbiage in this book allows everyone to relate to the poems all while making fun at some of the more traditional poems.
3. (A) Area for comment: accuracy / humor
(B) This book of poetry is far from accurate, but that is exactly what makes it so amazing. The false accuracy gives this book so much humor and it gives readers a chance...more
2. This is a compilation of poems form Shel Silverstein that will have even the grumpiest of old men cracking a smile. The witty use of verbiage in this book allows everyone to relate to the poems all while making fun at some of the more traditional poems.
3. (A) Area for comment: accuracy / humor
(B) This book of poetry is far from accurate, but that is exactly what makes it so amazing. The false accuracy gives this book so much humor and it gives readers a chance...more
I was wondering how I survived childhood without having read this book, as well as other Shel Silverstein creations. Now as an adult, I feel like a child again. It is certainly a breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of daily living. This is a book I will keep until I grow old, as I plan to still read it to my daughter even if she is a big kid now...and to my future babies and my babies' babies! This is a weapon in being a fun mom and a cool grandma. Yes...Shel reminds me that better th...more
I absolutely loved this book as a kid. My parents would take every night to read a different poem to me before I went to bed. And when I was read these stories I just fell in love with each and every word. There is so many things to love about this book. Not only is the rhyming captivating andentertaining. But this book itself just seems beautiful. The stories are playful that don't seem to actually make sense or really have any chance of happening in real life, but I loved them. There seemed to...more
I almost forgot how much I loved reading Shel Silverstein books as a child. As soon as I saw A Light in the Attic all the fond memories came back to me. This time around I still didn’t understand some of the poems (even with the illustrations). I base this on the fact that children are a lot less critical about what they read, and adults complicate it, although I did enjoy reading the poems with the more ‘disturbing’ of illustrations. Every poem is only over a page or two (in design, not space)...more
I have been reading this book since I was a young child. It was a book that was so big that I felt grown up reading it, yet the words were simple and I could understand it. Reading it again today brought back memories like you have no idea. My favorite poem, Rock 'n' Roll band, always makes me smile. I remember reading it as a child and i truly wished I was in a band. In 3rd grade we had to choose our favorite poem and write one like it, I obviously chose this one. I think this is something that...more
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein is a book of poetry intended for children ages eight to twelve. It is a book filled with a collection of poetry and drawings by the author. They are humorous and filled with creativity. The illustrations are somewhat creepy and different. Children, I'm sure, will enjoy reading these different collections of poetry as they grow up. Some of the poems rhyme, which will gain the attention of several readers. The poems will make you laugh and give off differen...more
The poem I chose to review was "Nobody" from Shel Silversteins individual anthology "A Light in the Attic".
The poem "Nobody" is narrated by a person who believes that nobody loves them and nobody cares about them. The author continues to note that nobody helps them when they fight and that nobody laughts at their jokes. It appears to be a sad poem at first. It is then brought to the readers attention that nobody is actually a person. The author then continues to write about the fact that when he...more
The poem "Nobody" is narrated by a person who believes that nobody loves them and nobody cares about them. The author continues to note that nobody helps them when they fight and that nobody laughts at their jokes. It appears to be a sad poem at first. It is then brought to the readers attention that nobody is actually a person. The author then continues to write about the fact that when he...more
Appropriate for kindergarten and first grade children.
I read Eight Balloons from this book. The poem begins with eight balloons that no one was buying that got away. It procedes to tell where each ballon went before it popped/deflated. At the end it repeates the beginning by saying eight balloons got away and were free to go anywhere they wanted and free to pop anywhere they wanted.
Language-This poem is good for younger children around the ages of 5 or 6 because it doesn't use big complicated wo...more
I read Eight Balloons from this book. The poem begins with eight balloons that no one was buying that got away. It procedes to tell where each ballon went before it popped/deflated. At the end it repeates the beginning by saying eight balloons got away and were free to go anywhere they wanted and free to pop anywhere they wanted.
Language-This poem is good for younger children around the ages of 5 or 6 because it doesn't use big complicated wo...more
On a recent trip to the library, I stumbled across "The Light In The Attic" by Shel Silverstein. Once I opened it up and started reading those familiar poems, nostalgia flew right through me.
It was my absolute favorite book when I was a child. So I figured, "Why not? I might as well check this one out." I figured it would give my brain a tiny break in between some of my more difficult reads.
Well-over 10 years after reading it for the first time, it was just as wonderful as it was back then. It...more
It was my absolute favorite book when I was a child. So I figured, "Why not? I might as well check this one out." I figured it would give my brain a tiny break in between some of my more difficult reads.
Well-over 10 years after reading it for the first time, it was just as wonderful as it was back then. It...more
My grandma Meacham gave "A Light in the Attic", by Shel Silverstein, to me a few years ago. It was one of her favorites to read a few of the poems to her fifth grade class from time to time when she was teaching. So many of the poems speak directly to the way children think about experiences. The drawings help provide imagery. I am not usually a big fan of poetry books but this one makes me laugh! I like to read a few of my favorites over and over.
The book is full of twisted ways of looking at...more
The book is full of twisted ways of looking at...more
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Title: A Light in the Attic
Author and Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Copyright 1981
Interest Level: 3 - 5
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.2
Guided Reading: NR
Summary: Here in the attic of Shel Silverstein you will find Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo with an Exactlywatt, and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire. You will talk with Broiled Face, and find out what happens when Somebody steals your knees, you get caught by the Quick-Digesting Gink, a Mountain snores, and They Put a Brassiere on the Camel...more
Author and Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Copyright 1981
Interest Level: 3 - 5
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.2
Guided Reading: NR
Summary: Here in the attic of Shel Silverstein you will find Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo with an Exactlywatt, and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire. You will talk with Broiled Face, and find out what happens when Somebody steals your knees, you get caught by the Quick-Digesting Gink, a Mountain snores, and They Put a Brassiere on the Camel...more
A Light in the Attic is a collection of poems that are funny, whimsical and sometimes downright sadistic. For example, “Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony” is about a young girl who dies because her parents wouldn’t buy her a pony or even “The Skin Stealer” about how a coo-coo came and stole someone’s skin and went around doing things the real owner would never do . This collection of poems entices one to enter Shel Silverstein’s attic where you find all kinds of different characters and adve...more
This book, as well as Where the Sidewalk Ends, won me several awards in grade school and junior high school for various speech contests, and for that alone I'm thankful! I still use it today, I just presented a speech in my English class on the poem Where the Sidewalk Ends, and I got an A on it. :) My daughter auditioned for a play using the poem "Sick" and got a lead role. I must say Shel Silverstein is a genius, as well as a good luck charm for my family and me.
This book is wonderful at introducing children to poetry, like most Shel Silverstein books are. It makes poetry fun and silly and easy to follow and comprehend. Some of the words can be a little bit hard for such young ages though but the poem’s itself give the students context clues to help them identify the word as well as help them become more familiar with new words. Some of the content can be a bit mature as well and includes some gross humor but when thinking about young boys it seems lik...more
A Light in the Attic was my absolute favorite poetry book as a child. I vividly remember my second grade teacher reading a few different poems every day. I loved this book so much that I begged my parents to buy it for me so I could bring it to school and read along with the teacher. Even outside of school, I would read as many poems as I could before my mom would come in my room and force me to go to sleep. Not only did Silverstein write a multitude of poems that varied in length, but he also i...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| this book is ducking awesome!!! | 10 | 63 | Jul 08, 2012 10:38am | |
| MCC Children's Li...: light in the attic | 1 | 1 | Apr 04, 2012 12:14pm |
Shel Silverstein was the author-artist of many beloved books of prose and poetry. He was a cartoonist, playwright, poet, performer, recording artist, and Grammy-winning, Oscar-nominated songwriter.
More about Shel Silverstein...
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2 trivia questions
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“Do a loony-goony dance
'Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain't been there before.”
—
1,538 people liked it
'Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain't been there before.”
“When the light turns green, you go. When the light turns red, you stop. But what do you do when the light turns blue with orange and lavender spots?”
—
394 people liked it
More quotes…
Oct 09, 2012 11:31am
Feb 04, 2013 12:06pm