 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
A Giraffe and a Half
- By Shel Silverstein
- Genre: Poetry
Common Sense Media says
Shel Silverstein collection is sweetly upbeat.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the road is clear: There's nothing here content-wise to worry about. The story invites readers to pile on, the writing is light and freewheeling, and the artwork so full of life that it might topple off the page at any moment.
What's the story?
Take a giraffe, stretch it by another half, and add a rat in a hat and a rose on his nose and a whole lot more, and you have the makings of a madcap Shel Silverstein cumulative tale. The verse is sweetly upbeat, and the line drawings--as always with Silverstein--speak volumes more than their spare elegance would indicate.
Is it any good?
There is a brightness to Shel Silverstein's humor that makes one glad to be alive. His craziness is often just this side of impossible; who knows, you may find yourself in one of his situations someday, if you are so lucky. Everyone has to laugh and dream, which is why Silverstein has sold a gazillion books -- and bully for him.
Silverstein enjoys coming full circle in his stories, and the same holds true here. Up, up, up the tale climbs, threatening a drop into chaos with each new step, and then slowly readers exhale as, one by one, the elements surrender to whatever odd fate lies in wait for them. The line drawings, too, are operatic in their gestures and give each character real distinction.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the author uses lively prose and vivid drawings to tell a story with silly overtones. Do you notice a pattern in the way the author uses words that rhyme? Can you think of other words that rhyme with "giraffe" and "half"? Or "rat" and "hat"? Or "suit" and "cute"? Kids can also try writing a short poem of their own and illustrating it with crayons, markers, or paint.
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
| Author: | Shel Silverstein |
| Illustrator: | Shel Silverstein |
| Book type: | Non-Fiction |
| Genre: | Poetry |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
| Publication date: | May 1, 1975 |
| Number of pages: | 48 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 7 |
Review It
Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already read it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
