Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book: A Primer for Tender Young Minds by Shel Silverstein Who Loves You Dearly

by Shel Silverstein

The original "Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book" as published by Playboy in 1961, not the 80 page hardback with a slightly different title.

Genres: Humor, Poetry, Fiction, Childrens, Picture Books, Classics, Art

29 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

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.

Shel Silverstein will perhaps always be best loved for his extraordinary books. Shel’s books are now published in more than 47 different languages. The last book that was published before his death in 1999 was Falling Up

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book, Uncle Shelby's Abz Book: A Primer for Tender Young Minds (1961) and an amazing event in publishing. I bought this book for my sons at a local bookstore around 1979. It was squeezed in with all the other picture books on the shelf in the children's section. I thought it looked interested because it had a matte brown cover, the color of cardboard, with simple line-drawings that attracted my interest. Something different, I thought. But I didn't realize exactly 'how' different at that time.

When I got home I announced to my two boys that I had a surprise, a new book, and we'd read it after dinner and bath time. But when I started reading it aloud to them, I realized the joke was on me. It was hilariously perverse on an adult level. Nothing I'd choose to read to my kids. I saw I was being put on the spot, laughing at the letter "C" where Uncle Shelby was explaining: "C is for the stranger who gives you candy. Isn't he nice?"; while the boys begged me to tell them what was so funny. At the time, at ages 5 and 2, I had to improvise to get out of the predicament without inciting tantrums that could have extended the upcoming bedtime ritual for hours. I got through it rather smoothly by making up my own stories that seemed to go with the pictures. Unable to stifle my own laughing at Silverstein's words while the boys laughed at the stories I was making up we created a surreal illusion of shared family time. Since those days, I have asked my older son, now an adult, if he remembers the book. He exclaims "Yes! That was the best book ever Mom! What happened to it?" Then he informs me that he found out my little game when a babysitter found the book and read it to them. My son knew he had stumbled into a restricted genre and kept the knowledge of it to himself all these years.

Here on Goodreads I ran across some reviews of the book. I realized that many didn't know of the first book that had been written. Twenty-four years after the original had been published with the sub-title: For Tender Young Minds, a second revised edition appeared. Difference in appearance, it showed up on the scene with a glossy colorful cover that was more in line with Dr. Seuss books than anything characteristic of Silverstein. (This is the version I see on the Goodreads reviews.) Along with the design changes, a not-to-be-missed glaring circle contains a new sub-title that warns would-be-buyers: "A Primer For Adults Only". The first edition I had read to my sons I found at online bookstores for rare/used books. Don't get too excited though if you were thinking of getting a copy: it comes with a price tag of $300.00! Damn! I'm now going to the boys anxiously pleading: "You don't have any idea at all where that book went to? Are you sure we didn't give it to your cousins?"

The good news is, despite the exorbitant price, this first book is still around and still available. Silvertein's Uncle Shelby is still around to plunder some innocent minds into the realm of adult humor; to subvert the control that authorities want to have over the elderly and children. I'm sure it is with delight that Silverstein wanders, ghosting about, keeping tabs on it, chuckling to himself at how successful the trick has proven itself to be.

The intentions of the book are actually quite noble. Uncle Shelby states quite clearly in it that it's book about freedom and inclusivity, that children and elderly people should have the same rights and respect as everyone else, and "not be treated like children and old people." The book is a social-political act, an event, an Alan Kaprow Happening, right in line with 1960's demonstrations, student rebellions, race riots, and performance art taking place at that time. It's an act of defiance, challenging censorhip laws and culturally enforced rules of appropriateness. With cleverly written humor and cartoons, Silverstein shows a respect for the marginalized elderly and children, pointing to the fact that their acceptance as human beings like everyone else is being denied. At it's core, this book is a protest of those injustices.

I can't say that I agree that everything in the book is good for a child to hear, but I do support the effort Silverstein made to challenge the rules. That's the only way we grow. Writing and Art more than anything shouldn't be stifled, even if the results are disturbing. This is how we grow and develop as individuals and as a country.

I asked my oldest son---he said that at some point a babysitter had read to him Silverstein's text. It did him no harm at all, and I'd like to think that it contributed to his sense of humor, artistic skill as a cartoonist and painter, and especially to his passion for justice. Jean-Paul Sartre talks about being allowed to roam freely in his grandfather's library. He remembers reading books that he could the pronounce the words but didn't know what they meant. Books intended for "adults only". He says it made him into the great adult thinker he became. I believe this is the essence of Silverstein's motivation for writing Uncle Shelby's ABz book.

We should all pool our funds and buy the original to donate to our public libraries if they don't have one. We should do whatever we can to make sure that this highly volatile piece of writing doesn't end up forever lost.

That said: anyone got a hat we can pass?

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all know what it's about, and we all know it's brilliant, witty, sublime, subversive, and oh-so-many other superlatives (yes, I'm using "subversive" as a superlative) so I won't really go into all that...but I will say that I surprised at how many of the other reviews say things like "definitely not for children" or "they were right to give this an 'adults only' sticker" or "not for kids" or "honestly, you would ever give this to a child."

Balderdash! Hooey. Spit-on-able comments. This is precisely the type of book that's good for kids. Look, kids aren't stupid. They might not have a world view, or understand global economics, but they sure as heck understand humor when they see it, and aren't so stupid that they, after reading this book, will think they should scratch angry lions behind their ears, or do any other of the misdeeds suggested in this book. Does anyone really think children will bury their sisters in the yard after reading this book, as suggested by "H is for Hole?"

Have a little faith in a kid's mind. The grand total of "sisters dropped off cliffs while tied to anvils" has NOT greatly appreciated since the advent of Roadrunner cartoons. VERY early in a child's life they begin to understand the concept of reality.

Books like this one stretch a child's boundaries, and so very few books do that. Books like this help develop humor, and wit, and make for well rounded kids. Books like this one break through the "thought-free" bubble where the children of today are so often encased.

Not for kids? Bah.

[Jenny Schmenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I ever bought with my own money, back when I was about seven years old. Sick, subversive, whimsical, horribly inappropriate, and illustrated with delightfully loose line drawings, as are all of Silverstein's books. My copies has little drawings I made on some of the entries that I took half-seriously, or didn't understand at all.

[Hesam · Rating 3 out of 5]

:))

[Dacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even thought this says "Adults Only" I used to sneak it off the bookshelf and laugh at it when I was a kid (like 6 or 7). I re-read the whole thing when I was in my teens and found it even more hilarious. It's a fun little read, and comes from the very twisted (but very funny) mind of "Uncle Shelby". It's a far cry from his more heartstopping books like "The Giving Tree" and more along the lines of his silly poems - only for adults! Pick it up, you won't be sorry!

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shel Silverstein's books are not always meant for children, though I am strongly tempted to give this one to kids. This is the alphabet book uptight parents fear, full of sarcastic, vicious and just plain bad advice for kids. L is for lollipop sure enough, and L is also for lye. If you want a lollipop tell your mom you've drunk all the lye (a little white lye) and when the doctor has pumped out your stomach he'll give you a nice red lollipop. And the alphabet's out of order to book.

[Scratch · Rating 1 out of 5]

Despite advertising on its cover that this book was "for adults," it is more accurate to say that it isn't particularly helpful to children. I don't care about the jokes about wild animals running free in the jungle, or even mocking whether daddy really loves baby. I'm just annoyed that when I'm scrambling to find a book to read to my baby, this one would teach him the alphabet WRONG.

It would be better to read him an old TV Guide than to teach him the alphabet WRONG.

[Prashant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy is damn funny. I thought Go the fuck to sleep was first of it's kind.

But Silverstein has done some wonders for adults to enjoy and to hide deep inside so their children won't see it.

[Laurie Connolly]

Oh my heart.

Bought this in 10th grade as a coloring book. The twisted humor was a surprising, if startling, plus.



Fast forward 40 or so years. This summer, the grands borrowed it along with a pile of other books they thought looked interesting. Not surprisingly, their mama was alarmed when the preschooler bolted from his big sisters' room yelling about strangers and nightmares (cf. the page for "C is for candy").

To be fair, I didn't realize the satirical alphabet book had gone home with them. Nor did the kids see the bright orange disclaimer that this is "a primer for adults only." My earlier edition has no disclaimer on the cover, only a subtitle on the inside that reads, "A primer for tender young minds."

Still, the dedication page might have provided a hint of things to come . . .

[llvllash!d _aaE · Rating 5 out of 5]

alefyaaaaaaaaaaaaaay amoo shelB




ketaaB ke age man vaasat bekhoonam
ghash mikoni
:d
vaa3 bozorgaas
dast e bache nade
magar in ke betoonin az pa3 bache he bar Baay


llvll

[Kenneth Quek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subversive fun.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very naughty, sarcastic humor from one of my favorite children's poets.

The book appears to offer somewhat of a glib critique of children's alphabet books, but perhaps Mr. Silverstein was just having fun.

[Susan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed all the way through this one.

[Sooraya Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious!

[Roger Jimenez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lectura entretenida y mordaz.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight. 🥰

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s just fun to read, tho I don’t recommend doing so to children. (Kidnappers, fingers in noses, voodoo doll instructions) .. Then again, why not?

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this book says that it is for adults kids can enjoy it too. This book would be a great book to use for kids in third or fourth grade. I would use this book to introduce a unit on writing children stories. I would assign the kids to write the simplest form of children’s book: an ABC book. This book would be able to show the kids that there can be more to an ABC book then A is for apple. Hopefully this book would strike an interest in the children and they would want to write an ABC book that reflects their own personality and interest.
This book could also be used for grades 6-7 to show students that children books are not always just for children. The student could discuss what elements of this book make it a book that is good for older kids and adults to read. The children could also write a story that is essentially a children’s story but could also but could also be a book for an older audience as well. If a teacher uses this book they need to preview it and make sure that it is a book that is suitable for the children in the classroom. Some children might not fully understand the humor in the book, and the teacher needs to decide if it is an appropriate book for the classroom.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"J is for Junkie.
Do you know
what a junkie is?
Ask your mommy.
If she will not tell you,
ask your daddy.
If he will not tell you,
go outside and tell everybody
that your daddy is a junkie."
- Shel Silverstein, Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book

Delightfully impressive, naughty and subversive. I just love Shel Silverstein! I've always thought of him as the American counterpart to England's Roald Dahl - someone who writes supposedly for children much of the time, whose POV is dark, perhaps a little wicked, and suffused in an almost-funny cynicism.

My copy is subtitled "a primer for tender young minds," but the "adults only" in the new edition is probably a good idea. Would kids love it? Maybe. You know your own kids best and can decide if they can handle it, but you can also give this book to someone else's kids especially if you know their parents have a sense of humor like you do! Silverstein's wicked humor is evident here. If you are a fan, this is a delightful choice.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled upon Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book: A Primer for Adults Only at the library yesterday. Not having read any Silverstein for years and years, I put it in the bag. What a perfect read-aloud book to share with another adult (or naughty child at heart)!

I am also quite amused by the reviews by put-upon parents who are scandalized by the thought of reading this book to their children lest they learn the alphabet "wrong." Sigh To any such reader, I would calmly note: You. Have. Missed. The. Point. Entirely. For everyone else: pour yourself a glass of wine at the end of a long day, put your feet up, read this (preferably with another adult for whom you can do the "share the picture" thing while you read) aloud, and get the chuckle that it is intended to elicit. Overall, a solid 3 1/2 star effort.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved Shel Silverstein books as a child. So when I saw that he had written an "adult" book, I wanted to check it out. After reading it, labeling this book as for adults seems like something that the lawyers did so that they wouldn't get sued because someone tried something in the book. While this book isn't suited for young children, I think that older kids who can take a joke and aren't going to just do something because they read it in a book would be the ideal audience for this book. That said, I was a little disappointed with the quality of the humor in the book. There were a few poems that were cute and I found really funny; the rest I would say were just OK.

[Cole Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book is a play on every other ABC book about there. Every page there is a new letter being talk about, only most of the letters are described in a negative light, such a S is for Stanley the murderer.
This book is defiantly geared more towards adults. It is extremely sarcastic and most of the sarcasm would not be understood by children. It is brilliantly put together and the images are highly humorous. The entire book looks like it was written in pen just for you and it is a one of a kind look. I really like this book, however, like I've said before I would not let children read this book til their teenage years.

[Skylar Burris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully wicked. Although this says "for adults only," in truth, the satirical barbs are not all that terribly different than those he places in his children's poems in books such as "Where the Sidewalk Ends"—it's just that those poems can be understood on two levels, by children and by adults, and these little tidbits…they would only confuse a young child and perhaps lead to untoward behavior.

[Diane ~Firefly~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book! It is extremely funny and not for children. Uncle Shelby is not too fond of children and tries to get them into trouble throughout this primer. From having the alphabet out of order to telling the kids he hopes their parents didn't steal the quarter he stuck on the page, this is the book you never want to fall into your own kid's hands.

[Jaina Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't listen to the grown ups, children, ALL KIDS WHO READ THIS BOOK GET A FREE PONY!!!! And a parade! And a million dollars, pasted into the back of the book. (Hope your mom didn't take it out and keep it)

[foo4luv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merkin read this to me for our first date. We'd been talking on the phone, and he asked if he could come over and read me a bedtime story. We found a couch in the study section of my dorm, and he read it aloud to me. It was an awesome first date. I'd never seen anything so funny in my life.

[Shaho · Rating 4 out of 5]

همیشه میگفتم واقعا چرا وقتی بچه بودیم اینقد شاد بودیم، حالا به لطف عمو شلبی یادم اومد
بچگیمو یادم رفته بود، یه بچه چه کارایی میکنه و در فکر هیچی هم نیست و خیلی هم شاده، خیلی همه چیزو سخت کردیم، از صبح تا شب به فکر خیلی چیزای جدی هستیم ، در فکر پول و خرید وکار... بچه باشیم!

[Eireanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was cute, had some parts I chuckled at, but I don't feel the need to have this in my permanent collection. Sorry Shel.

[Gina]

This book makes no sense lol.

[Jack Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definately not for kids. But I stumbled on a copy as a kid. My sisters eyelashes grew back eventually