Falling Up

Falling Up by Shel Silverstein

Silverstein, S. (1996). Falling up. New York: Harper Collins

ISBN: 0060248025

Plot

This collection of wacky poems includes such characters as Allison Beals and her twenty-five eels; Danny O'Dare, the dancing bear, Long-Leg Lou and Short-Leg Sue. There are poems about the Spoiled Brat in the Boilin' Vat and Shanna in the Suana. Equally wacky illustrations by the author accompany each poem.

Critical Evaluation

Shel Silverstein's poems and illustrations are whimsical and truly funny. He turns a phrase with ease and his rhymes describe situations which many of us may ponder, but few of us vocalize. He has a great imagination that children and tweens will relate to.

Readers Annotation

Come and wander through the Nose Garden, visit the People Zoo (Do Not Feed the Kid!), and Fall Up into the wacky world of fantasy that could only come from the mind of Shel Silverstein. These poems will tickle your funny bone and trigger your imagination.

About the Author

Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) began as a cartoonist for Pacific Stars and Stripes as a G.I. His first book was a compilation of his cartoons for that newspaper. He was a playwright and a song writer. His songs include "A Boy Named Sue," sung by Johnny Cash and "The Cover of the Rolling Stone" sung by Dr. Hook. His early career as a writer did not include children's books. He began writing for children at the suggestion of one of his editors at Harper Collins. He discovered that he liked writing for children, so he continued. His poetry books were immensely popular upon publication. A Light in the Attic spent 182 weeks on the New York Times List. He admits that he never studied poetry, so he developed his own style.

Genre: Humor. Poetry

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: Using your imagination

Reading Level: Grade 3+
Interest Level: Grade 3+
Challenge Issues: None

This book is included because tweens love the humorous writing and silly drawings of Silverstein. This book is a good introduction to poetry.