DOCSLIB.ORG

50Th Anniversary Event Kit Activity Booklet

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
50Th Anniversary Event Kit Activity Booklet BRAT I NG C E LE 5 T y 0 H r a rs Annive YEARS50 50th Anniversary Event Kit Activity Booklet With activities and fun for six Shel Silverstein classics: The Giving Tree Don’t Bump the Glump! A Giraffe and a Half © 1964, renewed HarperCollins Publishers. 1992 Evil Eye, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce and distribute this page has been granted by the copyright holder, © Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? The Giving Tree Where the Sidewalk Ends Art from www.shelsilverstein.com Dear Reader, BRAT I NG C E LE Shel Silverstein has inspired readers Art from to dream, discover, laugh, and imagine the 5 impossible for decades, but this year we’re The Giving Tree T y 0 H r th a marking a milestone moment: the 50 anniversary rs Annive th of The Giving Tree, as well as the 50 anniversaries ofYEARS Don’t © 1964, renewed 1992 Evil Eye, LLC. Art from Bump the Glump!; A Giraffe and a Half; Lafcadio, the Lion Who 50 HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce and distribute this page has been granted by the copyright holder, Shot Back; and Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?; and the 40th anniversary of Where the Sidewalk Ends. Inside this kit, you’ll fi nd activities for use in the classroom, library, bookstore, or home that bend your brain, open your imagination, A Giraffe and a Half A Giraffe and bring each of these anniversary titles to life in a new way. You’ll love a little boy and his tree, visit a zany zoo, get silly with Giraffe, meet a lion who loves marshmallows, discover what to do © 1964, renewed 1992 Evil Eye, LLC. Art from with a cheap rhinoceros, and even fi nd out where the sidewalk ends. So come in, have fun, and be delighted by the timeless magic of Shel Silverstein! Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back © 1963, renewed 1991 Evil Eye, LLC. www.shelsilverstein.com Reproducible Name Tags Host: Copy onto Avery #5163 Once there was a Once there was a . Name Name and he loved and she loved . Favorite Thing Favorite Thing Once there was a Once there was a . Name Name and he loved and she loved . Favorite Thing Favorite Thing Once there was a Once there was a . Name Name and he loved and she loved . Favorite Thing Favorite Thing Once there was a Once there was a . Name Name and he loved and she loved . Favorite Thing Favorite Thing Once there was a Once there was a . Name Name and he loved and she loved . Favorite Thing Favorite Thing Art from The Giving Tree © 1964, renewed 1992 Evil Eye, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce and distribute this page has been granted by the copyright holder, HarperCollins Publishers. Once There Was a . Art and text from The Giving Tree How well do you know The Giving Tree? Use the words in the box to fi ll in the blanks with the beginning lines of the 1964, renewed HarperCollins Publishers. 1992 Evil Eye, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce and distribute this page has been granted by the copyright holder, © book. Then read aloud to see if you got the story right. Once there was a . and she a little . And every the boy would come and he would her and make them into and play king of the . He would up her trunk and from her and eat . forest gather crowns loved tree apples climb leaves branches day boy swing Answer key, in order of blanks: tree; loved; boy; day; gather; leaves; crowns; forest; climb; swing; branches; apples branches; swing; climb; forest; crowns; leaves; gather; day; boy; loved; tree; blanks: of order in key, Answer www.shelsilverstein.com It’s a Zoo in Here The Wild Gazite, the Terrible Feezus, and the Glub-Toothed Sline are looking for some new friends! In the space provided, draw an original crazy creature to add to Shel’s zany zoo from Don’t Bump the Glump! Be creative, and don’t forget to give your character a name. © 1964, renewed HarperCollins Publishers. 1992 Evil Eye, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce and distribute this page has been granted by the copyright holder, My creature’s name is Don’t Bump the Glump! Art from . www.shelsilverstein.com Get Silly with Giraffe Giraffe in A Giraffe and a Half puts on a suit, gets stung by a bee, and steps in glue, but what other crazy antics might he encounter? Finish the beginning line of the story with a new silly situation for Giraffe. Write your idea in the lines below and add it to the picture of Giraffe—the sillier the better! Art and text from A Giraffe and a Half A Giraffe A Giraffe and a Half A Giraffe If you had a giraffe © 1964, renewed HarperCollins Publishers. 1992 Evil Eye, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce and distribute this page has been granted by the copyright holder, © 1964, renewed HarperCollins Publishers. 1992 Evil Eye, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce and distribute this page has been granted by the copyright holder, and he stretched another half . you’d have a giraffe and a half. If he . www.shelsilverstein.com Lafcadio Loves . What does the world’s most famous lion like? Unscramble the words below to fi nd out some of Lafcadio’s favorite things. (Hint: all the words are in Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back.) 1. hsaawlolmrsm 2. onil 3. erovltae 4. elkbmittru 5. caebh 6. tarugi 7. riccus 8. pgninati 9. wimmsing © 1963, renewed HarperCollins Publishers. 1991 Evil Eye, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce and distribute this page has been granted by the copyright holder, 10. reciexse Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back Art from Answer key, 1 marshmallows; 2 lion; 3 elevator; 4 buttermilk; 5 beach; 6 guitar; 7 circus; 8 painting; 9 swimming; 10 exercise 10 swimming; 9 painting; 8 circus; 7 guitar; 6 beach; 5 buttermilk; 4 elevator; 3 lion; 2 marshmallows; 1 key, Answer www.shelsilverstein.com Rhino Connect If you had a rhinoceros for a pet, what would you do with Art from him? Connect the dots to discover one of Shel’s many uses for a cheap rhinoceros; then come up with your own! a Cheap Rhinoceros? Who Wants © 1964, renewed 1992 Evil Eye, LLC and © 1983 Evil Eye Music, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce and distribute this page has been granted by the copyright holder, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. © 1964, renewed Simon & Schuster Books for Young 1992 Evil Eye, LLC and © 1983 Eye Music, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce and distribute this page has been granted by the copyright holder, Can you name fi ve other uses for a 28 29 pet rhinoceros that Shel doesn’t mention in the book? 27 26 31 Share your ideas in the lines below. 30 25 1. 32 33 24 2. 34 35 23 39 38 3. 36 37 4. 22 40 5. 21 20 41 19 18 42 17 16 15 43 14 44 13 45 46 12 47 48 50 11 1 49 10 9 4 8 3 2 7 5 6 www.shelsilverstein.com Sidewalk Celebrities How well do you know the world where the sidewalk ends? Read the excerpts below from poems in Where the Sidewalk Ends and guess the well-known character who stars in the poem. Use the list of names to help you decipher who is who. He watched till his eyes were frozen wide, And his bottom grew into his chair. And his chin turned into a tuning dial, And antennae grew out of his hair. Benjamin Bunnn Pieces out of picture puzzles, Jimmy Jet Bent-up nails and ice-cream sticks, Twists of wires, worn-out tires, Lazy Jane Paper bags and broken bricks. Hector the Collector Sarah Cynthia And so it piled up to the ceilings: Sylvia Stout Coffee grounds, potato peelings, Brown bananas, rotten peas, Melinda Mae Chunks of sour cottage cheese. He hasn’t changed his clothes since last July. And why? ’Cause no one can unbutton him No matter how they try, poor guy. She thought she could, She said she would, © 1974, renewed HarperCollins Publishers. 2002 Evil Eye, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce and distribute this page has been granted by the copyright holder, So she started in right at the tail. she wants a drink of water so she waits Where the Sidewalk Ends Where and waits and waits and waits and waits for it to rain. Art and text from Answer key, 1 Jimmy Jet; 2 Hector the Collector; 3 Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout; 4 Benjamin Bunnn; 5 Melinda Mae; 6 Lazy Jane Jane Lazy Lazy 6 6 Mae; Mae; Melinda Melinda 5 5 Bunnn; Bunnn; Benjamin Benjamin 4 4 Stout; Stout; Sylvia Sylvia Cynthia Cynthia Sarah Sarah 3 3 Collector; Collector; the the Hector Hector 2 2 Jet; Jet; Jimmy Jimmy 1 1 key, key, Answer Answer www.shelsilverstein.com Upside Down Poet Shel Silverstein writes upside down in “Oops!” from Where the Sidewalk Ends—now it’s your turn! Compose a poem about Art from Shel in the tree below, but remember to start from the bottom Where the Sidewalk Ends: 40th Anniversary Special Edition Where of the page and work your way up. We wrote in the fi rst lines to help you get started! © 1974, renewed HarperCollins Publishers. 2002 and © 2004, Evil Eye, LLC. All rights reserved.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Celebrate 50 Years of the Giving Tree and the Anniversaries of Five Other Shel Silverstein Classics!
    ® Teach Celebrate 50 Years of The Giving Tree and the anniversaries of five other Shel Silverstein classics! Teaching Guide contains discussion questions and writing activities for: The Giving Tree Don’t Bump the Glump! A Giraffe and a Half Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back Where the Sidewalk Ends Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? www.shelsilverstein.com About Shel Silverstein “And now . a story about a very strange lion—in fact, the strangest lion I have ever met.” So begins Shel Silverstein’s very first children’s book, Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. It’s funny and sad and has made readers laugh and think ever since it was published in 1963. It was followed in 1964 by four new books. The first, The Giving Tree, is a tender tale about the enduring relationship of a boy and a tree. Then came the riotously funny Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? and A Giraffe and a Half. The fourth book published in 1964 was Don’t Bump the Glump! and Other Fantasies, Shel’s only book illustrated in full color. Shel combined his unique imagination and bold brand of humor in this collection of silly and scary creatures. Shel’s second collection of poems and drawings, Where the Sidewalk Ends, was published in 1974. Shel invited children to dream and dare to imagine the impossible, from a hippopotamus sandwich to Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who would not take the garbage out. This was followed by The Missing Piece, published in 1976, and The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, published in 1981—two companion fables that explore the concept of fulfillment.
    [Show full text]
  • Kandi Heenan the Giving Tree Pedagogical Essay Introduction
    Kandi Heenan The Giving Tree Pedagogical Essay Introduction The struggle is real. Defending the significance of using literature across the curriculum is something many instructors face—especially teaching “kid’s books.” Lessons, moral or academic, can be gained from any type or genre of literature. Children’s books specifically, even those as perceivably simplistic as works by authors like Seuss and Silverstein, hold a valuable and relevant place in the instruction of high school and even college-age students in a context not limited to Children’s Literature courses. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is an excellent example of a children’s book with a decidedly simple style. Uncomplicated language, uncluttered illustrations, and an elementary plot earn The Giving Tree the classification of “suitable for children K-2.” The book tells the story of a tree personified and her selfless love for a boy as he grows up and grows old. In the beginning, the boy makes crowns from her leaves, swings from her branches, eats her apples, and sleeps in her shade; the boy loves the tree, too. But through the years, he sells her apples for money, builds a house from her branches, and cuts down her trunk to make a boat and sail away, which is the only time the tree is unhappy. After a long time, the boy returns, and in his old age wishes only to sit and rest on the stump of the tree who loves him. This makes the tree happy. Background Shel Silverstein is known for his versatility. His list of works include poetry, children’s literature, screenwriting, songs for Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Activity Guides
    Celebrate National Poetry Month with Event Activity Suggestions Art © 2002 by Evil Eye Music, Inc., from The Giving Tree Dear Friend: We are so happy to help you celebrate Poetry Month with the works of Shel Silverstein, the national bestselling author-artist of many beloved books of prose and poetry. This event kit contains everything you’ll need to host a fun and successful Shel Silverstein celebration of your own. In recognition of the popular poetry collection A Light in the Attic, which just celebrated its 25th Anniversary, we are including a very special “Eight Balloons” coloring activity booklet for you to share with your guests. In addition, a brand-new animated version of the “Eight Balloons” poem will be available exclusively online at www.shelsilverstein.com beginning in April. Be sure to visit this unique website to learn more about the world of Shel Silverstein before your event. We would like to know what you think of this event kit and if you have any suggestions for future Shel Silverstein materials. Please share your feedback by sending an email to [email protected]. Event kit materials include: • Reproducible invitations and name tags for your event • Reproducible in-store event suggestions and activities with answer page • Giveaways • Reversible door hanger • “Eight Balloons” coloring activity booklet • “Celebrate with Shel Silverstein” poster • Audio CD sampler Sincerely, HarperCollins Children’s Books Art © 1981 Evil Eye Music, Inc., from A Light in the Attic www.shelsilverstein.com Reproducible name tags
    [Show full text]
  • Born in Chicago on September 25, 1930, Sheldon Allan Silverstein Grew up to Attain an Enormous Public Following, but Always Preferred to Say Little About Himself
    Born in Chicago on September 25, 1930, Sheldon Allan Silverstein grew up to attain an enormous public following, but always preferred to say little about himself. “When I was a kid,” he told Publishers Weekly in 1975, “I would much rather have been a good baseball player or a hit with the girls. But I couldn’t play ball. I couldn’t dance. So I started to draw and to write. I was lucky that I didn’t have anyone to copy, be impressed by. I had developed my own style.”Shel Silverstein began writing when he was twelve years old. He was not familiar with the style of any famous poets. Since he had no one whom he could mimic, he began developing his own technique. Shel Silverstein loved to spend time in Greenwich Village, Key West, Martha’s Vineyard, and Sausalito, California. In the 1950's, Silverstein enlisted in the armed forces and served in the Korean War. Silverstein drew his first cartoons for the adult readers of "Pacific Stars and Stripes," a Pacific-based U.S. military publication, when he was a G.I. in Japan and Korea. He also learned to play the guitar and to write songs, a talent that would later produce such hits as “A Boy Named Sue” for Johnny Cash and “The Cover of the Rolling Stone” for Dr. Hook. After completing his military duty, he was hired as a staff cartoonist for "Playboy" in 1956. Silverstein contributed several poems including "The Winner," "Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe," and "The Smoke-off".
    [Show full text]
  • Shel Silverstein
    BIOGRAPHY: SHEL SILVERSTEIN CHILDREN’S AUTHOR, ONE-OF-A-KIND SONGWRITER Shel Silverstein is most famous, especially among younger generations, for the best-selling children’s books that he wrote and illustrated: The Giving Tree, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and A Light in the Attic. But Silverstein’s abundant creativity also stretched into songwriting, and he played a significant role in Outlaw- era music making. “Shel is the greatest lyricist there ever was,” said Country Music Hall of Fame member Bobby Bare, who frequently collaborated with Silverstein. “What he writes is so, so descriptive — so visual — that you couldn’t help but respond to it.” Born on September 25, 1930, in Chicago, Silverstein soaked up country music as a boy, but he felt the strongest tug toward art and words that were meant to be read. “When I was a kid — twelve, fourteen, around there — I would much rather have been a good baseball appeared on the landmark Wanted! The Outlaws album player or a hit with the girls,” he recalled. “But I couldn’t in 1976. Waylon Jennings released “The Taker” play ball. I couldn’t dance. Luckily, the girls didn’t want (co-written with Kris Kristofferson) in 1971. Silverstein me; not much I could do about that. So, I started to also scored two hits on the 1972 pop chart with Dr. Hook draw and to write.” & the Medicine Show’s “Cover of the Rolling Stone” and “Sylvia’s Mother.” Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953, Silverstein became the staff cartoonist for the Pacific edition of Stars and The songwriter formed an enduring partnership with Stripes, the military newspaper.
    [Show full text]
  • The Giving Tree and the Anniversaries of Five Other Shel Silverstein Classics!
    ® Teach Celebrate 50 Years of The Giving Tree and the anniversaries of five other Shel Silverstein classics! Teaching Guide contains discussion questions and writing activities for: The Giving Tree Don’t Bump the Glump! A Giraffe and a Half Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back Where the Sidewalk Ends Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? www.shelsilverstein.com About Shel Silverstein “And now . a story about a very strange lion—in fact, the strangest lion I have ever met.” So begins Shel Silverstein’s very first children’s book, Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. It’s funny and sad and has made readers laugh and think ever since it was published in 1963. It was followed in 1964 by four new books. The first, The Giving Tree, is a tender tale about the enduring relationship of a boy and a tree. Then came the riotously funny Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? and A Giraffe and a Half. The fourth book published in 1964 was Don’t Bump the Glump! and Other Fantasies, Shel’s only book illustrated in full color. Shel combined his unique imagination and bold brand of humor in this collection of silly and scary creatures. Shel’s second collection of poems and drawings, Where the Sidewalk Ends, was published in 1974. Shel invited children to dream and dare to imagine the impossible, from a hippopotamus sandwich to Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who would not take the garbage out. This was followed by The Missing Piece, published in 1976, and The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, published in 1981—two companion fables that explore the concept of fulfillment.
    [Show full text]
  • Our Front End Alignment Equipment Is State-Of-The-Art STATE INSPECTIONS • NEW TIRES BRAKES • OIL CHANGES MECHANIC on DUTY • A/C REPAIR ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC
    COMPLIMENTARY JUNE 2020, VOL. 18 ISSUE 6 Francois Bend invites you to call us for a tour today! You'll find comfforortt iinn kknnowowiinngg yyouourr llovoveedd ononeess araree rreecceeiivviinngg exexcceelllleenntt ccararee ddururiinngg tthhiiss trtryyiinngg ttiimmee.. Summer Move In Special Call today to learn how to save $500 225.647.2363 INDEPENDENT • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY 326 East Industry St., Gonzales, LA 70737 • FrancoisBend.com Publisher / Editor Mike Strong Table of Contents MINI POT MECCA............... 4 Associate Editor GONZALES GARDEN CLUB .... 8 Thumper Sales Manager SWEET EYES W/ TANYA...........12 Dottie Godberry LAYBE’S JEWELRY...........................24 FOR MORE INFORMATION 225.622.3262 Staff Photographer JAMMIN’ WITH GOOSIE......... 28 www.riverparishfoods.com Jimmy Dunkley BILL DELAUNE.......................... 30 THOUGHTS FROM BULLY......34 Contributing Writers Bill Delaune SENIOR SOC HOP.................... 40 Linda Melancon SNO’S RECIPE........................... 45 Bully Goosie Guice Orhan McMillan On the Cover: Staying Strong in America. Kellie Seymour Tanya Stilley Jimmy Dunkley STATE OMV OFFICES ARE CLOSED. Patti Mouton Jamie Lavigne Mariah Simoneaux WE ARE NOT!!! While COVID19 has taken its toll on most of us, we are still For Advertising here for you and your needs. We are available Information Please call: BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Monday-Friday. 225-622-1324 My staff and I have taken the necessary precautions to ensure your safety while still providing you the E-Mail Comments fastest service possible – curbside . to [email protected] www.ascensionmagazine.net – FAST, EFFICIENT, FRIENDLY, KNOWLEDGABLE SERVICE TO GET YOU IN Note: Features in this AND OUT AS QUICK AS POSSSIBLE. publication labeled “advertorial” are paid for editorials. All Rights Reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • RCA Victor Consolidated Series
    RCA Discography Part 17 - By David Edwards, Mike Callahan, and Patrice Eyries. © 2018 by Mike Callahan RCA Victor Consolidated Series In 1972, RCA instituted a consolidated series, where all RCA releases were in the same series, including albums that were released on labels distributed by RCA. APL 1 0001/APD 1 0001 Quad/APT 1 0001 Quad tape — Love Theme From The Godfather — Hugo Montenegro [1972] Medley: Baby Elephant Walk, Moon River/Norwegian Wood/Air on the G String/Quadimondo/I Feel the Earth Move/The Godfather Waltz/Love Theme from the Godfather/Pavanne/Stutterolgy RCA Canada KPL 1 0002 — Trendsetter — George Hamilton IV [1975] Canadian LP. Bad News/The Ways Of A Country Girl/Let My Love Shine/Where Would I Be Now/The Good Side Of Tomorrow/My Canadian Maid/The Wrong Side Of Her Door/Time's Run Out On You/The Isle Of St. Jean/The Dutchman RCA Red Seal ARL 1 0002/ARD 1 0002 Quad – The Fantastic Philadelphians Volume 1 – Eugene Ormandy and Philadelphia Orchestra [1972] EspanÞa Rhapsody (Chabrier)/The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Dukas)//Danse Macabre (Saint-Sae8ns)/A Night On Bald Mountain (Moussorgsky) 0003-0007 (no information) RCA Special Products DPL 1 0008 – Toyota Jazz Parade – Various Artists [1973] Theme from Toyota – Al Hirt/Java – Al Hirt/Cotton Candy – Al Hirt/When the Saints Go Marching In – Al Hirt/At the Jazz Band Ball – Dukes of Dixieland/St. Louis Blues – Louis Armstrong/St. James Infirmary – King Oliver//Hi-Heel Sneakers – Jose Feliciano/Amos Moses – Jerry Reed/Theme from Shaft – Generation Gap/Laughing – Guess Who/Somebody to Love – Jefferson Airplane 0009-0012 (no information) APL 1 0013/APD 1 0013 Quad/APT 1 0013 Quad tape — Mancini Salutes Sousa — Henry Mancini [1972] Drum Corps/Semper Fidelis/Washington Post/Drum Corps/King Cotton/National Fencibles/The Thunderer/Drum Corps/El Capitan/The U.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Book the Giving Tree // 6CAG9C3PTWCJ
    JD43SJUEGYG0 ~ PDF // The Giving Tree Th e Giving Tree Filesize: 8.93 MB Reviews This is actually the finest pdf i have got study right up until now. It can be full of wisdom and knowledge Once you begin to read the book, it is extremely difficult to leave it before concluding. (Reese Morissette II) DISCLAIMER | DMCA TIJHYNJ9SXAR > PDF # The Giving Tree THE GIVING TREE To save The Giving Tree eBook, you should follow the hyperlink under and save the file or have access to additional information that are have conjunction with THE GIVING TREE ebook. Harper Collins Publ. USA Jan 1964, 1964. Buch. Condition: Neu. Neuware - The Giving Tree, a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gied and versatile Shel Silverstein, has been a classic favorite for generations. Since it was first published fiy years ago, Shel Silverstein's poignant picture book for readers of all ages has oered a touching interpretation of the gi of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return. Shel Silverstein's incomparable career as a bestselling children's book author and illustrator began with Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. He is also the creator of picture books including A Girae and a Half, Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros , The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, and the perennial favorite The Giving Tree, and of classic poetry collections such as Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, Every Thing On It, Don't Bump the Glump!, and Runny Babbit.
    [Show full text]
  • The Giving Tree Additional Information for Teachers' Reference: Author: Shel
    The Giving Tree Additional Information for teachers’ reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Giving_Tree Author: Shel Silverstein Illustrator: Shel Silverstein Cover artist: Shel Silverstein Country: United States Language: English Genre: Children's picture book Publisher: Harper & Row Publication date: October 7, 1964 The Giving Tree is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein. First published in 1964 by Harper & Row, it has become one of Silverstein's best known titles and has been translated into numerous languages. Despite the recognition that the book has received, it has been described as "one of the most divisive books in children’s literature." The controversy concerns whether the relationship between the main characters (a boy and a tree) should be interpreted as positive (e.g., the tree gives the boy selfless love) or as negative (e.g., the boy and the tree have an abusive relationship). Scholastic designates the interest level of this book to range from kindergarten to second grade. Background Silverstein had difficulty finding a publisher for The Giving Tree. An editor at Simon & Schuster rejected the book's manuscript because he felt that it was "too sad" for children and "too simple" for adults. Tomi Ungerer encouraged Silverstein to approach Ursula Nordstrom, who was a publisher with Harper & Row. An editor with Harper & Row stated that Silverstein had made the original illustrations "scratchy" like his cartoons for Playboy, but that he later reworked the art in a "more pared-down and much sweeter style." The final black-and-white drawings have been described as "unadorned… visual minimalism." Harper & Row published a small first edition of the book, consisting of only 5,000-7,500 copies, in 1964.
    [Show full text]
  • Use the Attached Biography About the Author, Shel Silverstein, and Answer the Questions Below in Complete Sentences
    Name: Teacher: Class: Date: DIRECTIONS: Use the attached biography about the author, Shel Silverstein, and answer the questions below in complete sentences. 1. Where and when was Shel Silverstein born? 2. What was his childhood like? 3. Name some places the poet liked to visit. 4. How did Silverstein’s writing career begin? 5. How did he begin writing children’s literature? 6. Name some of Silverstein’s accomplishments. 7. Describe the type of poetry he wrote. 8. What types of writing, other than poetry, did he do? 9. What awards or recognitions did he receive? 10. When and how did Silverstein die? Born in Chicago on September 25, 1930, Sheldon Allan Silverstein grew up to attain an enormous public following, but always preferred to say little about himself. “When I was a kid,” he told Publishers Weekly in 1975, “I would much rather have been a good baseball player or a hit with the girls. But I couldn’t play ball. I couldn’t dance. So I started to draw and to write. I was lucky that I didn’t have anyone to copy, be impressed by. I had developed my own style.”Shel Silverstein began writing when he was twelve years old. He was not familiar with the style of any famous poets. Since he had no one whom he could mimic, he began developing his own technique. Shel Silverstein loved to spend time in Greenwich Village, Key West, Martha’s Vineyard, and Sausalito, California. In the 1950's, Silverstein enlisted in the armed forces and served in the Korean War.
    [Show full text]
  • Shel Silverstein - Poems
    Classic Poetry Series Shel Silverstein - poems - Publication Date: 2004 Publisher: Poemhunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive Shel Silverstein(September 25, 1930 – May 10, 1999) As Edwin McDowell reported in the New York Times Book Review (8 Nov 1981), Silverstein "for several years now... has refused interviews and publicity tours, and he even asked his publisher not to give out any biographical information about him." What is known about Silverstein, however, is that he was born in Chicago (Illinois) in 1932, is divorced and has one daughter. Most of what is known about his views and opinions, aside from what may be interpreted from his works, comes from a Publisher's Weekly (24 Feb 1975) interview with Jean F. Mercier. Silverstein discussed the roots of his career in his childhood with Mercier: "When I was a kid - 12, 14, around there - I would much rather have been a good baseball player or a hit with the girls. But I couldn't play ball, I couldn't dance... So, I started to draw and to write. I was... lucky that I didn't have anyone to copy, be impressed by. I had developed my own style, I was creating before I knew there was a Thurber, a Benchley, a Price and a Steinberg. I never saw their work till I was around 30." Silverstein's talents were already well-developed by the time he served in the US armed forces during the 1950s. He was stationed in Japan and Korea, and while in the military, he was a cartoonist for the Pacific edition of the military newspaper, Stars And Stripes.
    [Show full text]