Where the Sidewalk Ends
Posted May 1st, 2003 @ 02:30pm by Erik J. Barzeski
When I was about eight, and was still in the "gifted" program (before it was renamed the "Challenge" program, designed to indicate that educators wished to give us a challenge "regular" classes did not provide but instead seeming to indicate that, in fact, we were challenged), my mom bought me a book called Where the Sidewalk Ends. It was recommended by someone who was speaking at a conference or a Saturday seminar about gifted children, and we went right out and bought it.
The book held a unique fascination for me. The poems were witty, had a nice rhythm, and many times very funny. I read and re-read poems in that book several times, and I think it may be the only book in which my mom wrote anything (in the front cover). It's at home now, resting with some of my other childhood books, not for lack of wanting, but lack of room in my current apartment.
It's interesting then that Where the Sidewalk Ends is available in the iTunes Music Store. Unfortunately, it is incomplete, meaning I can't "buy" the whole book again (I'd gladly pay $9.90 for it), and for 0:41 seconds, some of the tracks are simply not worth a buck to me.
I hope the album is filled out and completed, and when it is and I notice, I'll surely "buy" a copy. My days could use a little bit of humor, right? Couldn't everyone's?
P.S. Just because I don't have Shel Silverstein's book doesn't mean I don't see his name every now and then. It's somewhat amusing to me that the same Shel Silverstein often writes for Playboy Magazine.
Donate Life
Posted 01 May 2003 at 9:32pm #
Does your copy of Where the Sidewalk Ends have a picture of Shel Silverstein? I, too, thought and think his poems are great, but I just noticed the author picture of him a couple years ago: He's a creepy-looking bald guy who I wouldn't be in the least surprised to learn...well, I won't finish that sentence 'cause it's unfair and possibly libelous--but just take a look and I bet you'll see it, too.
Posted 02 May 2003 at 10:30am #
Yeah, he was a pretty odd (looking) guy. Odd, raspy voice too, if I remember right. There's a track of him reading "Sarah Synthia Sylvia Stout" on a Dr. Demento CD. He died of a heart attack in '99. 🙁 There's a picture of him on this site.
Posted 03 May 2003 at 1:47am #
Thinking you can tell a child molester by his face is A) wrong B) simple-minded C) insulting.
Posted 03 May 2003 at 3:02am #
You know, I never thought that, growing up. I thought he looked like a cool, kinda hippyish guy.
Note, he also sings humorous songs for adults, like "I Saw Polly in a Pornie" and "I Got Stoned and I Missed It"... Those are the ones I'm really waiting for Apple to carry! 🙂
Posted 03 May 2003 at 4:46pm #
You're totally right, of course, Jon. On the other hand, I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about since no one said anything about that.
"On the third hand[1]," being suspicious of a brilliant children's writer isn't unprecedented. Lewis Carroll seems to have had some odd habits.[2]
[1] What's that from?
[2] Interesting Guardian article.