Where the Sidewalk Ends

Where the Sidewalk Ends

By Shel Silverstein

A collection of beloved poems and short stories by a treasured author, Shel Silverstein guides us through a whimsical “sidewalk” of verses about Band-Aids and a Boa Constrictor and characters like Chester and Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who simply would not take the garbage out!  This is a book I grabbed for my unit so I could read about Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out….but I kept it handy for those brief breaks in the day, hand washing time, bus line up, or clean-up time that I could share a brief excerpt with the kids.  Shel Silverstein’s writing brilliance accompanied with he vivid imagination and illustrations has created a masterpiece in “Where the Sidewalk Ends’!

This will be a book that will one day find its way to my classroom library. It may also sit on the corner of my desk for sharing!  I thought I would initially use it for my unit, however, it became something that the kids enjoyed having me read aloud.  The book lends itself to the use of voice and emotion while reading,  I love it!! 

The Mouse and The Motorcycle

A classic story, written by a well known author, "The Mouse and The Motorcycle" tells the story of a mouse named Ralph and his great adventures in the old, run down lodge in California called the Mountain View Inn.  Ralph and his family reside in a small hole in room #215, with the exception of his father, who died carrying an aspirin tablet in his cheek. Through a mishappy and a little misfourtune, a forbiden friendship develops betwen the little mouse and the young boy Keith, who is currently staying in room #215.  The two bond through their mutual love of a little red motorcycle....and a few morsels of food from the dining room that Keith can sneak back up to the family waiting behind the wall. Some great adventures develop from their friendship with the red motorcycle, and near the end of the story, Ralph has a chance to help Keith as well.  A story of friendship overcoming differences and judgement.  An absolute classic!

I read this book years, and years ago, so it was not a first read.....but it did remind me how much I loved it!  I selected this book for my third grade reading buddy.  He doesn't like to read, but it was primarily because he didn't know how to find books he liked.  I picked this up for him for three reasons:  1) It is written by a well known author of man, many books and I knew it would be easy for him to find similar books by the same author, 2) The two main characters are boys and I thought he may be able to relate to some of the action and adventure in the story, and 3) I liked the cover, and there are illustrations throughout the story so he can visually recall what he is reading, and I think it will help with his overall comprehension.....thus building MOTIVATION FOR READING!!  Yeah!!