Every Thing on It: Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein

 
Silverstein, Shel. Every Thing on It: Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein. New York : Harper, 2011.

Plot: Published after the passing of the popular children's poet, the text consists of over one hundred previously unprinted work by Silverstein. Like his previous titles,  poems play with the quirks, fears, games, thoughts, and lessons encountered during childhood. They also showcase Silverstein's classic humor through ink illustrations. A very funny title.

Genre: Humor, Poetry

Reading Level:  Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Where the Sidewalk Ends, My Dog May Be a Genius, Food Hates You Too

Personal Thoughts: Any fan of Where the Sidwalk Ends or A Light in the Attic should read the title. It maintains Silverstein's classic brand of humor and timelessness, offering a good introduction to poetry to young readers, as well.

The Dad of the Dad of the Dad of Your Dad

Moss, Jeff. The Dad of the Dad of the Dad of Your Dad. New York : Ballatine Books, 1997.

Plot: Moss' collection of poetry about kids and their dads. The book follows a mythical chronological order of fathers interacting with their children, beginning with a prehistoric father and son playing together and ending with a great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather teaching his children the joy of individuality. Throughout the collection, the themes of common father-child issues, such as change, bonding, and growing up enjoy attention through rhymes. A simple, sweet collection.

Genre: Collections, Poetry

Reading Level: Ages 4-9

Similar Titles: The Butterfly Jar, Beneath a Blue Umbrella, Grasshopper Pie and Other Poems

Personal Thoughts: Apparently, Jeff Moss originally wrote songs for Sesame Street, and the influence shows, though not in a "babyish" manner. Instead, much like the lyrics in the show, the stories contain universal appeal in their subject matter, simplicity, and, for lack of a better term, "catchiness." Much like the works of Shel Silverstien, the poems' illustrations are simple, but appropriate and inviting. While some critics fault the simplicity and traditional aspects of the poems, they still credit Moss for creating an easily-approachable series of poems.

Falling Up: Poems and Drawings

Silverstien, Shel. Falling Up: Poems and Drawings. New York, N.Y. : HarperCollins, 1996.

Plot: A collection of poems and illustrations by Shel Silverstien. Much of Silverstien's work echoes the common hopes, fears, and daily lives of its readers. It then promptly switches tones to the comedic, ironic, or unexpected in a natural, but still surprising, manner. Such poems include the tale of a haunted house, the punishment of a boy who took a nap, and the day a student replaced his teachers. To complement the poems, Silverstien includes hand-drawn illustrations, which often add to the poems themselves, particularly in the case of a rogue eel, track team coach, and greeting-eager monster.

Genre: Collections, Poetry

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: Where the Sidewalk Ends, Fearless Fernie, The Frog Wore Red Suspenders

Personal Thoughts: A poetry book for a non-poetry reader. Many of the poems follow more conventional styles of literature, such as songs, ballads, stories, and jokes, so readers new to poems may find them more accessible than traditional collections. Additionally, the poems focus on real fantasies, fears, and experiences of the readers, while making the entire situation funnier through twist endings and comedic illustrations. Overall, the book reflects the best aspects of Silverstien's style.

Winter Eyes: Poems & Paintings

Douglas, Florian. Winter Eyes: Poems & Paintings. New York : Greenwillow Books, 1999.

Plot: A collection of poems regarding the coldest time of year. The joys of the season, such as sledding, snow, maple syrup, and fireside moments enjoy multiple references. However, the poems also reflect the downside of winter, especially the lack of sunlight and natural life. Still, winter remains an important, introspective time of the year, as the poems suggest. Each page also contains paintings relating to the literature. The art has a simple, Americana-style, which enhances the rustic style of the poetry.

Genre: Poetry, Collections

Reading Level: Grades 2-5

Similar Titles: Winter Poems, Handsprings, Beast Feast

Personal Thoughts: This was a difficult read. Many of the poems simply did not engage the reader in an interesting manner. The collection quickly turned into a monotonous series of rhymes about winter sports or winter grudges. While the poems themselves were not bad, some readers will quickly tire from the lack of variety. In addition, the art falls into the trap of similarity. If shown individually, the illustrations may stand out, but together, they eventually blend without any proving distinct or eye-catching. While the items provide examples of classic poetic methods, other collections may offer the variation necessary to maintain readers' attention.