Where the Sidewalk Ends

 

Where the Sidewalk Ends is a collection of poetry that is written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein. It is a mix of shorter and longer poems. They are mainly fantasy poems but some of them could be considered realistic fiction.

 I think that there is a lot of content that speaks to the young readers. I remember this being one of my favorite books as a child. When I think of funny and silly poetry I think of this book. Some of them are silly and talk about everyday things, for example trying to get up in the morning and how hard it can be sometimes.

 Some of the illustrations that are in the book bring the poems to life. The sketch drawings really let the reader visualize what is being described by the poem. Since all of the pictures are black and white, I would have to say that a graphite pencil was used for the drawings.

 

 

 

Some motivational activities to use in the classroom with this would be to choose a poem that does not have a picture with it and draw an illustration to go with that poem.

Another activity could be to evaluate a poem of their choosing from the book and evaluate the meaning and the feelings that the poem evokes in the reader.

 

 Reader Response Questions:

 

1. What is the age group that the writer is aiming at with this poetry? What made you come to that conclusion?

 2. Do the illustrations help or hinder the poems In the book? Why?

 

References

 Silverstein, S. (2004). Where the sidewalk ends: the poems & drawings of Shel Silverstein. (30th

                     anniversary special ed.). New York: HarperCollins.

 

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2010). Literature and the child (7th ed.). Belmont, CA:

                       Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.