Shel Silverstein - Annotated Bibliography Example

Beckett, Sandra, L. Transcending Boundaries: Writing for a Dual Audience of Children and Adults. London: Psychology Press. 1999. Ch 5. Web. http://books.google.com/books?id=JJzsP5Yr36AC&dq=about+Shel+Silverstein's+writing&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s Beckett's book, Transcending Boundaries, explores children's writing in an unglamorous way; depicting children's writers as nothing more than adult writers disguised in child's play. Becket believes that in order to become a recognized author in the childrens writing genre, one must use techniques such as a play on words to attract the attention of adult readers. Hidden humor and attention grabbing pictures are techniques that Beckett believes Shel Silverstein used in order to entice readers; adults in particular. According to Beckett, Silverstein decided to “maintain a dialogue with the adult reader in their illustrated texts for preschool children” (92). While Silverstein is not the only author to be accused of such techniques, it is disappointing that Beckett doesn't analyze Silverstein's writing more thoroughly; she does not give ample evidence to Silverstein's use of adult dialogue or any discussion as to the child's interpretation of his work. Beckett uses The Giving Tree as an example of a preschool book that is jam-packed with prevailing psychological and philosophical cliches;” yet she does not actually analyze one line of the story. She simply mashes it together with the works of other children's authors that she feels are making money by going over the head's up child readers, straight to the parents in a sly, “wink-wink” fashion. Beckett does not use any actual evidence or analysis to prove any of her theories and refused to give an credit to the work and dedication of child authors such as Silverstein. Bezanson, Mary, E. and Norland, Deborah, L. “The Definition of Self, The Recognition of Other in Two Children's Stories”.The Women in Literacy and Life Assembly. 1992. Web. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/old-WILLA/fall92/s-bezanson.html In this article, the two authors discuss the relationships found in two children's books, one of which is Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree. In this literary analysis, the authors discuss the bond between the apple tree and the little boy. The authors believe that Silverstein is demonstrating the role recognition of the female caregiver, the nurturing role of the tree. In comparison, the second children's story dismisses the child's need for everything and plays a less nurturing and more educational role. This article, while not substantial in it's evidence of role recognition, does portray the usefulness of Silverstein's work in literary analysis. Gaard, Greta. “Toward an Ecopedagogy of Children’s Environmental Literature.” Green Theory & Praxis: The Journal of Ecopedagogy. 2008. Vol 4:2. Web. http://greentheoryandpraxis.org/journal/index.php/journal/article/viewPDFInterstitial/48/60 In a report about ecopedagogy, the study of environmental literature, Gaard examines various children's literature for environmental analysis and support from the point of view of an environmentalist. Silverstein's children's writing has been used for study into engaging children in poetry, support for improved literary skills among grade school children and other literary-based analysis. Gaard's approach to Silverstein's children's writing is rare. Gaard's analysis of environmental literature includes Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree, one of Silverstein's most popular publications. Using an environmental approach, Gaard examines the characters in The Giving Tree, the boy and the tree and the boys contentment to use the tree, i.e. nature, without worry of it's destruction. According to Gaard, “this narrative endorses roles for humans and nature that are not reciprocal, and moreover not sustainable. The little boy never questions his right to ask for more, nor does he question his own identity in relationship to the tree/nature” (16). This article is interesting because it takes a very different approach to analysis of Silverstein's work. While it only discusses The Giving Tree it does give perspective into the many ways in which Silverstein's work can be examined. Monahan, Martin. “Shel Silverstein: Many Had Heard, but Few Knew”. BSU.edu. n.d. Web. http://www.bsu.edu/web/gstrecker/PoetryProject/shelsilverstein.htm In this brief, yet informative article, Monahan discusses the inability of many to describe Silverstein's writing style. This was due to the fact that Silverstein never stayed with any particular subject and explored many types of writing. This article gives a brief background into who Shel Silverstein was and his ability to create characters, imagery, and wordplay, [and to] traverse nearly every style of artistic expression, ranging from the surreal to the realistic and to the bizarre” (1). Peters, Mark. “Shel Silverstein's Unlikely Rise to Kid Lit Superstardom”. Mental Floss Magazine. 2009. Web. http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/31129 In a tribute style article, Peters' writes of the unconventional writing styles and influences of Shel Silverstein. According to Peters, Silverstein is most infamous for his non-childlike approach to children's writing. Silverstein did not believe in the happy ever after ending, nor did he believe in sugar-coating life's harsh realities. Peters' article shed light on the often held private life of Shel Silverstein. It is not publicized, for example, that before being convinced to write for children, Silverstein worked alongside Hugh Hefner, in creating articles and cartoons for Playboy magazine. The author was also in the military and attended, unsuccessfully, many different schools. Peters reports that Silverstein was not fond of children literature, and often spoofed on it before taking the genre into his own hands and morphing it into a whole new style. Peters' article also reports that Silverstein's books were not always widely accepted and have been criticized and even banned by libraries and other groups. Some of Silverstein's work has been called satanic, sexual, anti-christian and even cannibalistic. This article gives in-depth insight into Silverstein's writing style and professional life, while also discussing his personal experiences as influences to his life's work. Weinstein, IIyse “Igniting a Passion for Poetry in Elementary School”. WCSU.edu. 2010. Web.  http://www.library.wcsu.edu/dspace/bitstream/0/534/1/Thesis+Project.pdf In Weistein's study she examines the numerous ways in which Silverstein's children's poetry can be used to foster the love of poetry among elementary school students. Through this study, Weinstein's analysis of Silverstein's poetry demonstrates that children are more eager to learn poetry through humorous wordplay and illustrations; especially when the subject is fellow children, animals and food. According to Weinstein, “the first impression of poetry is crucial to show students its tangible and comfortable nature. A hearty laugh can immediately help a classroom of students to feel comfortable with poetry” (21). By taking Silverstein's humorous words and illustrations, children are more comfortable being silly and creative. This article demonstrates the effectiveness in Silverstein's poetry to foster a love for poetry among younger children. Read More