A Light In the Attic

Ahhh memories... Was there any child in the late 80's early 90's who didn't read every Shel Silverstein book? The poems are equally whimsical and grotesque with just a dash of inappropriate... every kid's dream book!

Reading this book again took me back to my youth. I can remember my friends and I reading this book together during our reading time or recess. Most of the poems were slightly disturbing and those illustrations...

am I right???

So I have to wonder, while the poems and illustrations are a little creepy but not in a horror or Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark kind of way, why are they STILL so popular? What does Shel Silverstein know that we don't? As a writer, how did Silverstein know that this style would appeal to children?

There is something to the unexpected that appeals to readers. So many children's books and tween aged poetry is fluffy or there is a push for it to be remarkable and deep and life changing. Sometimes kids just want something light hearted and unexpected, and yes with a twist of ick. 

Some of the poems leave you with a cringy feeling and an "is it ok for this to be funny?" feeling and I  think that is part of what appeals to fans of Shel Silverstein.... that and those weird as heck illustrations.

....Example above.

What in the world is this??? 

Apparently it is genius... that's what it is, 

and children of all ages eat it up.

Now don't get me wrong, many of the poems are not disturbing, most are just fine, but there are always a few sprinkled in that just make you think, what the heck is going on here? 

That being said, I do love these books. While I cannot quite place my finger on WHY anyone would enjoy them, I do. And I think it is just that. They are so unexpected and just a smidge off, just enough to be interesting and not enough to be completely inappropriate or offensive or cross a line. 

AND most importantly... they get kids to read. They get kids to read POETRY! That is a successful book in my opinion.