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Where the Sidewalk Ends facts for kids

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Where the Sidewalk Ends
Where the Sidewalk Ends (1974).jpg
Author Shel Silverstein
Illustrator Shel Silverstein
Cover artist Shel Silverstein
Country United States of America
Language English
Genre Children's poetry
Publisher Harper & Row
Publication date
 1974
Pages 309 and Aric

Where the Sidewalk Ends is a super popular collection of poetry for kids. It was written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein and first came out in 1974. The book is full of poems that talk about things kids often wonder about. It also shares fun, imaginary stories and pictures that make you think.

In 2007, the National Education Association named it one of the "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children." Some people had different opinions about the book's content. A special 30th Anniversary Edition of the book was released in 2004. You can also find two audio versions from 1983 and 2000.

Discovering the Poems Inside

This book is packed with many poems and cool drawings. One of the most famous poems is the title one, "Where the Sidewalk Ends." Shel Silverstein dedicated this book to "Ursula." He also thanked several people who helped him create it.

In 2004, a special 30th Anniversary Edition of the book came out. This version included 12 brand-new poems! Here are the titles of those extra poems:

  • The Truth About Turtles
  • Oops!
  • Mr. Grumpledump's Song
  • Naked Hippo
  • Who's Taller?
  • Monsters
  • Weightliftress
  • Don't Tell Me
  • Ten-O-Cycle
  • The Unfunny Jester
  • Open—Close
  • Gorilla

Listening to the Poems

You can also listen to Shel Silverstein read his poems! Audio versions of Where the Sidewalk Ends have been released.

The First Album

The first audio version was released as an album in 1983. It even won a Grammy Award in 1984 for Best Recording For Children. Shel Silverstein himself reads, sings, and even shouts the poems. Ron Haffkine produced this album. Shel Silverstein performed some of these poems at the 1984 Grammy Awards.

Here are some of the poems you can hear on the original album:

  • Invitation
  • Eighteen Flavors - Animals want ice cream and get upset when they can't have it.
  • Sick - A girl plans to skip school but then realizes she doesn't need to.
  • Jimmy Jet and His TV Set - A boy watches so much TV he turns into one!
  • For Sale - Someone tries to sell their sister.
  • Boa Constrictor - A boa constrictor eats people.
  • Peanut–Butter Sandwich - A king gets into a sticky situation with peanut butter.
  • Listen to the Mustn’ts - This poem reminds us that anything is possible, even if others say it's not.
  • Sarah Cynthia Silvia Stout Would Not Take The Garbage Out - A girl refuses to take out the trash, and it piles up.

The 25th Anniversary Album

In 2000, the album was re-released on cassette and CD. This was to celebrate the book's 25th anniversary. Shel Silverstein again performs all the poems.

This 25th anniversary edition also has 11 poems that were not on the first album. These extra tracks were found on the original recordings. They include:

  • The Little Blue Engine
  • One Inch Tall
  • Rain
  • Hector the Collector
  • Spaghetti
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