Why Does Ms. Sherry Love Shel Silverstein?

Have you have ever read a poem by Shel Silverstein?  The topics are what kids love!  Jimmy Jet and the TV Set, Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Who Would Not Take The Garbage Out, and The Dirtiest Man In the World all speak to kids.  The poems appeal to everyone's inner child too, so you don't have to be a youngster to enjoy Shel Silverstein.  

At Huntington I often recommend that parents read to their kids from Silverstein's books; just pick a poem or two and READ! The poems can be shorter than a story but just as entertaining.   A short poem is perfect for practicing handwriting too.  Make sure you read it through a few times before asking your student to copy it.  If the poem is a long one, ask them to copy their favorite lines.  Kids don't mind practicing when you have lines like this:

Milford Dupree, though he knew it was rude, 

Talked with his mouth full of food.

He never would burp or walk out in the nude,.....

From the poem "WITH HIS MOUTH FULL OF FOOD" in the book, Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. 

Books by Silverstein rarely show up at Half Price Books because people love them so much they never throw them out.  If you don't own a book by Silverstein, rush out and get one soon.  

SICK

"I cannot go to school today,"

Said little Peggy Ann McKay.

"I have the measles and the mumps, 

A gash, a rash and purple bumps......

it goes on for 27 more lines and ends,

What's that? What's that you say?

You say today is Saturday?

G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

 

 

 

 

What's your favorite Shel Silverstein poem?