Background Information
Shel Silverstein was an American poet, cartoonist, and children’s book author known for his books Where The Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree. He was an acclaimed poet and stories featuring dark humour, playfulness and irony. Silverstein books have been pulled off shelves and banned in classrooms and libraries, over the years, due to their “mature content.” Later in his career, Silverstein received criticism for the adult themed stories contained in some of his books.
Relevant Data
“The Missing Piece,” “Where The Wild Things Are,” and “The Giving Tree,” are one of the main titles that are often banned due to the “inappropriate themes” contained in them. Despite becoming an instant classic, “The Giving Tree” has been criticized for its apparent theme of self-sacrifice. The other book is “Where The Wild Things Are” which has been challenged due to its dark scenes and use of animal violence. Other reasons for bans on Silverstein’s works are due to the illustrations in them. Furthermore, the book “Falling Up” was banned due to offensive language and “unsuitable content for children.” Some of the stories in “A Light In The Attic” contained references and images which are deemed offensive. Consequently, in 1994, the “American Library Association” listed the book as one of the most banned books of all time.
Perspectives from Experts
Many experts have weighed in on the debate surrounding Shel Silverstein. Some say that children should be exposed to literature of multiple topics, whereas others warn of potential difficulties that young people might face if these books are not censored accordingly. One proponent of censorship even pointed out that modern literature and arts may have become too permissive in recent years, making children’s books more difficult to choose and knowledgably censor. Scholars of English literature have argued that children’s stories are still a powerful tool to shape the values and thoughts of the younger generations. So, the discussion on the nature of Silverstein’s books and their appropriateness for children remains a subject of debate.
Analysis and Insights
The banning of Silverstein’s books raise questions as to why topics of more mature content need to be addressed in children’s literature. Some who are for the banning consider certain topics to be inappropriate for younger children. While those who are against it consider children to be thoughtful enough to comprehend the matters of the world around them and should thus be allowed to experience the stories from Silverstein’s work. They do not think the topics are so extreme that children are unable to understand them and also believe that such literature can be used to educate, open doors for meaningful conversations, discuss topics generally deemed too dark or difficult for children to comprehend.
Moral Influence
Silverstein’s books have the potential to have a moral influence on children, inspiring them to behave ethically and responsibly. The stories have a way of reaching deep into the heart of the reader, inspiring consequence thinking and creativity. Silverstein’s works are a source of fantasy, escape, and above all else, joy.
Social Relevance
The themes discussed in Silverstein’s books often address relevant social issues such as death, violence, prejudice, and racism. Although this could be why some of his works have been banned, it could also be why his works are so popular. His works often address themes that would otherwise be considered too dark for children’s literature, but add a layer of magic and innocence to them making them easier to comprehend and promote meaningful conversations with children about these issues.
Alternatives
For those who are still averse to Silverstein’s books, there are alternative child-friendly books. Several authors like Roald Dahl, Eric Carle, Dr. Seuss and Richard Scarry are popular authors of children’s literature who write stories and books with a more lighter tone and morals that are suitable for children’s consumption.
Language Manipulation
One of Silverstein’s defining characteristics is the way he manages to effectively use language to convey his characters’ feelings. In his works, he often uses language play, sarcasm and humour to make his books more entertaining and captivating for children. His use of effective and creative language also helps children to understand more challenging themes in a much simpler way.
