A Light in the Attic

A Light in the Attic

Written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein

Published by HarperCollins

©1981

169 pages

Genre is Poetry

Growing up, I remember always reading poems from the collection Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic. I suppose the reason I chose this book was because it is a comfort book from my own childhood. I loved reading Shel Silverstien's quirky poems. The characters from his poems are so vivid and awkward that as a child you can relate to them. His poetry is always accompanied by a unique photo that just draws you in before you've even read the poem!

Shel Silverstein does his own illustrations for his poetry books. He began doing illustrations from a very young age and then eventually was coaxed by his editor to start doing children's poetry books. Having never studied literature, this was new for Silverstein. However, he developed a quirky style all his own and created simple, yet unique sketches to go along with his collection of poems. The crazy and abnormal sketches really draw children in because they are different and children love uniqueness. 

This book is appropriate for all grade levels but targets children ages 6-8 or first through third. Some of his poetry could connect with science because they deal with the moon and animals. The teacher could open the lesson with his poem Moon-Catchin' Net which involves exactly what the title states - catching the moon with a net. Then the teacher could lead the students in to the question, "Is it actually possible to catch the moon in a net?" and start a lesson the solar system.