A Light in the Attic

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

Silverstein, S. (1981). A light in the attic. New York: Harper Collins.

ISBN: 0060256737

Plot

This is a collection of amusing poems and illustrations by Shel Silverstein. In this book are characters such as the Meehoo with an Exactlywatt and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire. There are adventures with a frisbee and a mountain that snores. Find out what happens when someone steals your knees and much more.

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

Ever wonder what your reflection is thinking? Want to talk with the Broiled Face? Who cleans up the stars? If you've ever wonder any of these things, or even if you haven't, you will enjoy Shel Silverstein's delightfully imaginative collection of poems and illustrations.

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: Imagination

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

This book is widely enjoyed by children of all ages, including tweens. It is a great introduction to poetry.