If you are looking for a good read aloud book, or a great book for gifts, consider There’s A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, or Where the Sidewalk Ends. All three are written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein. I like to read a poem or two to the kids before their bedtime stories. I also use the poetry in my job as instructional coordinator for a literacy program.
Learning how to recognize and make rhymes is an important part of learning to read. A lot of poetry doesn’t interest young children. The themes are too advanced for them. The words are too hard. Silverstein is an exception. He’s such a gifted poet. His poems are silly, heart wrenching, and full of not only the imagination and magic of childhood but the trials as well. The illustrations are basic pen and ink, and complement the surprises and mischievousness of his poetry. His work is so full of humor and charm that it enchants adults, too.
Children will smile as the silliness of “Dancing Pants” and a “Recipe For A Hippopotamus Sandwich”. Their imagination will be captured by a poem written on a giraffe’s neck, by the thought of washing their shadows, and wondering how their lives would be different if they were “One Inch Tall”. They will recognize themselves in a poem about playing with band-aids. They will giggle over the description of a messy room where underwear is hanging from a lamp, and a smelly old sock is stuck to the wall. Adults and children will laugh over what happens when “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take The Garage Out”. And everyone can relate to the late night “Whatifs”.
Each of the books includes an index to help you find your favorite poems.
I think every child needs Silverstein’s books in their library.
Also See:
What Your Kindergartner Should Know: Language Arts