The Missing Piece
by Shel Silverstein
published
1995
(first published 1976)
by Scholastic Printing / Harper Collins
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binding
Hardcover
isbn
0590257617
(isbn13: 9780590257619)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 3829)
Read in January, 2004
I bought this for my niece, Stephanie, when she was 5. This was the first book she ever read. She took it to show and tell at school. I remember discussing the concept of the book and singing the missing piece song with her, "hidey ho here I go, lookin' for my missin' piece, so fleece my knees and grease my bees..." This book allowed me an amazing moment with my niece and I will always cherish it for that. Plus, it's just a damn good book in it's own right. I highly recommend it ...more
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I have been looking for books for Nathan. Samuel has such a love for reading, thankfully, that I don't have any struggles finding him something to read but Nathan is a different story. I decided I would try a little Shel Silverstein and Nathan loved it! He was a bit intimiadted by the size of the book at first but once we started he laughed, he asked questions ("he just got the missing piece why does he want to get rid of it now??:) and Silverstein has such a bigger underlining to his st...more
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Read in September, 2008
This book had my kids cracking up. I've had it forever as it came in a set of Shel Silverstein books but had never bothered to read it. They laughed so hard I thought they were going to cry. The simplicity of it is genious and yet it teaches the lesson of not sitting aroung thinking you are missing something you require to be happy. You should just be happy the way you are and realize that what you are spending all your time looking for may not really be "a good fit" for you at all
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My three-year-old son demands that this book, and The Missing Piece Meets The Big O, over and over again. It's great to see him enjoying the story at face value ("That circle has a piece missing! How exciting!") while I can appreciate its be-good-to-yourself deeper meaning.
As a bonus, it makes me think of Sandi's tattoo.
As a bonus, it makes me think of Sandi's tattoo.
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One of my toddlers favorite books. I rather enjoy it as well. Silverstein had a broad repertoire, and this books encompasses many facets of his ability. The drawings are deceptively simple, the poetry is great for reading aloud, and when you're done with this, you can graduate to Uncle Shelby!
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Read in January, 1984
I remember learning to read with this book, having my mom read it to me, and singing the songs with her own made-up melody. I didn't know it then, but this book taught me that reading can be playtime, too. All my life, books have been a 100% engagement for me, and if I had to pin-point where that came from, I'd have to say this is the book.
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Read in January, 1999
yadame avalin bar ke in ketab ro khondam be sheddat ehsasati shodam
chand roz bad ye majara neveshtam raje be kasi ke delesh mikhast khodesho tike tike kone va tamame ghata'atesho to donya pakhsh kone ta dige hich vaght peydashon nakone...
hanozam vaghti on neveshtaro mikhonam az shel silverstein mamnon misham...
chand roz bad ye majara neveshtam raje be kasi ke delesh mikhast khodesho tike tike kone va tamame ghata'atesho to donya pakhsh kone ta dige hich vaght peydashon nakone...
hanozam vaghti on neveshtaro mikhonam az shel silverstein mamnon misham...
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Right up there with "The Giving Tree," this children's book is not just for children. It's about the quest for fulfillment, one's personal journey for happiness. It is often startling to discover that what you want isn't necessarily what you need. I'm moved even just thinking about this book. A keeper.
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shell silverstein is awesome. and if you don't think so well, you're wrong. i will, however, allow disagreement on which is the best silverstein writing. the subtleties of each book lend its self to particular personalities and my sensibilities responded to the missing piece the most. far and away my fav.
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If you are ever at the bookstore and want a quick page turner, try this one and/or its counter part "The Missing Piece Meets the Big O". Though amazingly simple in its writing and drawings (it's in the childerens' books section), I was surprised to find it has meanings on many levels.
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The story is so simply stated. I love that it's black and white and drawn one dimensional. The story is not one dimensional. My youngest son loved this book! We loved singing the song "Ooooo, I'm looking for my missing piece.." and making up our own tune to it. I highly recommend it.
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Through Silverstein's usual metaphorical language, The Missing Piece tells you that being satisfied isn't about finding your soulmate ("Nooo, really???"), but being content with yourself.
Simple, touching, indelible. Just like Silverstein's every other masterpieces.
Simple, touching, indelible. Just like Silverstein's every other masterpieces.
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This was the last book my most beloved professor read to our class on our last day of school for earning our MSW's. I learned that I am never whole and that I don't ever need to be whole. Thank you Shelley Cohen Konrad for teaching me one of life's most challenging lessons.
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I love Shel Silverstein's take on romantic love: the ways we seek it, and lose it, and find ourselves. And the illustrations just please me to no end, so simple and so evocative all at once. And that final shot with the butterfly--Hey, does that count as a spoiler?
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Read in January, 2000
recommends it for:
Friends, Lovers, Political Allies
A great friend let me read this book before we went out for the night. I was very familiar with Shell and his other stories but had never heard about this book. Totally love it. Love the simplistic and truthful message that all I need is me to complete me.
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خاطره خيلي خوبي از اين كتاب دارم.سال دوم دبيرستان معلم فيزيكمون،آقاي محمد شيري، جلسه آخر قبل عيد اين كتاب رو برامون خوند و چقدر لذت برديم.
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Read in September, 2008
recommended to Charise by:
Krissie
We were given this book, along with The Missing Piece Meets the Big O as a wedding gift. They are great metaphors for the process of finding yourself and for finding your life partner. I look forward to reading these books to our children one day.
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Read in January, 2004
recommends it for:
People who are searching for a soulmate to complete them
What I learned: You do not need a soulmate to complete you. You have to love yourself and be yourself before you can have a progresive relationship with anyone.
I read this book all the time and loan it out all the time. It is a quick read.
I read this book all the time and loan it out all the time. It is a quick read.
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Read in July, 2008
I did not like this one nearly as much as I liked the story behind "The Missing Piece Meets the Big O". The message seemed to be that finding that special someone is bad because you miss all the things you liked when you were "single".
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Read in January, 1982
This was my favorite Shel Silverstein book as a child. I can't even tell you how many times I've read it. I should read it again now that I've found my "missing piece" (my husband). I bet it would have a whole new meaning to me.
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