Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein (Hardcover)

By the early 1970s, the outrageous Shel Silverstein was already a prolific folksinger/songwriter, cartoonist, and author of a widely known, much discussed classic children's book, The Giving Tree. His popular 1973 album, Freakin' at the Freakers Ball, with Dr. Hook and the Medicine Band, contained a song about Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout, a little girl who would appear again the following year in Where the Sidewalk Ends. This book forever changed the staid world of American children's poetry, which had previously clung to strict poetic forms, and socially acceptable topics. Sidewalk turned everything upside down with an unnerving exploration and celebration of the many gross, embarrassing, and disturbing topics that fascinate kids. Enhanced by his exaggerated, whimsical black and white line drawings, Shel Silverstein's approach to these topics is playful, filled with hilarious and often light-hearted humor. From the preposterous Melinda Mae to the moralistic Jimmy Jet and His TV Set, children are showcased in all their manifold glory. Anyone who grew up in the 1970s is bound to be familiar with the infamous burial of Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout, who absolutely refused to take out the garbage. A complete disregard for what adults consider appropriate for children makes these poems eternally endearing.

• Author: Silverstein, Shel
• ISBN: 9780060572341
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 192
• Publish Date: 2/1/2004
• Publisher: HarperCollins Childrens Books
• Language: English

Portions copyright 2005 Muze Inc. All rights reserved.

Author:

Silverstein, Shel

ISBN:

9780060572341

Format:

Hardcover

Pages:

192

Publish Date:

02/01/2004

Publisher:

HarperCollins Children`s Books

Language:

English

Portions copyright 2005 Muze Inc. All rights reserved.