A Light in the Attic
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A Light in the Attic | |
![]() Cover of A Light in the Attic |
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Author | Shel Silverstein |
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Illustrator | Shel Silverstein |
Cover artist | Larry Moyer |
Country | United States of America |
Language | English |
Genre(s) | Children's poetry |
Publisher | HarperCollins |
Publication date | 1981 |
Pages | 169 |
ISBN | 0-06-025673-7 |
OCLC | 7574216 |
A Light in the Attic is a collection of poems by the American poet and children's writer Shel Silverstein. It was first published by HarperCollins in 1981. The poems for children are accompanied by illustrations also created by Shel Silverstein.
The book has been banned from some libraries for its attitude towards child behavior (at times seeming to encourage messiness and disobedience). People claim that it "encourages" children to break dishes in order to get out of having to dry them. Also, one of the verses describes the death of a girl after her parents refused to buy her a pony, ending with the line "And this is a very good story to read to your parents when they won't buy you something you want." Other, more serious complaints included the mention of supernatural themes, including demons, devils, and ghosts.
A Light in the Attic features the following poems, and it was dedicated by Silverstein "To Shanna." "Shanna" was the nickname of Shel's daughter, Shoshanna, who died of a cerebral aneurysm on April 24, 1982, at the age of 11.
[edit] Poems in the Book light in the attic
A mysterious light shines out from an attic. We can all see in...and someone is looking out at us.
Shel shares ideas on how to get the most out of days and friendships.
A girl becomes determined to capture the Moon in her net, and tells readers to look for her "swinging' on a star" if she fails.
Grandma sends a hammock, God sends a breeze-but what can we do about those unmoving trees?
This controversial poem encourages children to drop dishes on the floor to break them, and thus get out of the job.
A strange thief steals a man's knees!
Mrs. McTwitter takes the term "baby-sitter" a little too literally.
A spoiled boy hopes that, in the event of his untimely death, God will break all of his toys.
The poor Dragon of Grindily Grun has a problem. He prefers to eat princesses that are "medium-rare"...but they always come out well done!
Mr. Smeds has twenty-one heads and one hat, and Mr. Spats has twenty-one hats and one head. When they meet, Mr. Spats buys Mr. Smeds's hat!
A python twists itself into three rather frightening words: "I love you!"
It's apparently warm outside, as a polar bear is hiding in the fridge!
Children would rather do anything that go to work-including the imaginary "Hurk!"
Some children decide to go on a sailing trip. Unfortunately, the anchor they built is far too large.
A poor girl suffers a modern King Midas problem-everything she touches melts into a squishy goo.
The "little a" brags to "Big G" about how "heaven and earth" could not be without his presence. The Big G quickly points out that "heven nd erth would still be without thee."
A wonderful new machine promises to perfect any child's homework...just as long as the little boy who actually does the problem guesses correctly.
Different kinds of "ations" are described, including "exaggeration", "cooperation", and "altercation."
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What do you do when your library book is forty-two years overdue?
Watch out-those strawberries are literally wild, complete with sharp teeth!
It's easy to make a swing with no nails. All you need is a long time and a very long mustache!
Why is there an eyeball in the middle of the gumball machine?
A strange creature known as a Meehoo knocks on a door, holding an Exactlywatt on a chain. A long joke ensues, based on the classic "Who's on First?" routine.
Shel can't find the proper pair of clothes, until he discovers that nature's own coverings are the best of all.
A boy cannot get cool on a hot day, even when he takes off all of his clothes...and skin, too!
An extremely crowded bathtub causes trouble.
Shel points out that all of the channels on television are playing mindless drivel. Wouldn't talking be a better idea?
Sour Face Ann is never happy. She finally has a new fur coat, but now she whines about the fleas!
Some brave mountain climbers explore mysterious peaks, which look remarkably like a human face...and then, the mountain starts snoring!
Shel tries to recite "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe", but an annoying voice interprets every line literally and picks a fight.
The entirety of the pirate world-parrots included-goes crazy when Captain Blackbeard shaves!
Eels make great pets, as this child with one wrapped around himself demonstrates. If only he wasn't turning blue-perhaps he could say something!
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A menu offers a delicious Broiled Face-but don't try to fry it!
An extra-long stretch limousine is the fastest way to travel. Once you get in, you're at your destination!
A mysterious painter brags about his handiwork, which includes sunsets, flowers, and springtime.
A boy asks a zebra if it is white with black stripes or black with white stripes. The cunning zebra responds with similar questions-is the boy good and occasionally bad, or bad and occasionally good?
A toad and a kangaroo plan to have a baby that will be able to jump better than any animal in the land. Unfortunately, they disagree about what to name it, and thus the plan falls apart.
The kids on the playground assign themselves positions for a baseball game-and one lucky kid gets to be the ball!
A baby bat suffers from severe fear of light!
Talkie Sue tells Deaf Donald she loves him-but all Donald can do is sign "I Love You" back to her. She leaves him, thinking him rude.
Pamela Purse is a die-hard feminist. She cries "ladies first" for everything, including the ice cream line, the ketchup at dinner...and the menu of a cannibal king!
The family cat goes missing, so everyone asks a walking hat-complete with kitten-shaped lump-to help look for it.
Clarence Lee of Tennessee cannot resist buying everything he sees on television. He even buys himself some new parents!
An annoying girl finds fault in everything "almost perfect" from childhood to middle age to death. Upon reaching Heaven, though, God finds that she, too, is "not quite" right.
A rose brags of its beauty, but a wise oak points out that a sweet smell and pretty appearance cannot stop it from dying without a purpose.
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[edit] Awards and nominations
- American Association: Best Graphic Illustrations
- Notable Childrenal Interest
- Winner, 1983–84 William Allen White Award (Kansas)
- Winner, 1983 Garden State Children's Book Award (New Jersey Library Association)
- 1984 Garden State Children's Book Award Center for Children's Books (Claremont, CA) "Recognition of Merit" Award
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