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Release date: March 18, 2008 | Age Range: 1 - 8 years
It's a zoo in here!
Have you ever . . . Seen a Gritchen in your kitchen? Dared to dance with the One-Legged Zantz? Declined to dine with the Glub-Toothed Sline?
You haven't? Well then, step inside—but only if you are ready to be amazed, tickled, astonished and entertained by this most unusual bestiary of silly and scary creatures.
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Shel Silverstein is the author-artist of many beloved books of prose and poetry. He was a cartoonist, playwright, poet, performer, recording artist, and Grammy-winning, Oscar-nominated songwriter.
"And now, children, your Uncle Shelby is going to tell you a story about a very strange lion- in fact, the strangest lion I have ever met." So begins Shel Silverstein's very first children's book, Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. It's funny and sad and has made readers laugh and think since it was published in 1963. It was followed the next year by three more books. The first of them, The Giving Tree, is a moving story about the love of a tree for a boy. Shel returned to humor the same year with A Giraffe and a Half, delighting readers with a most riotous ending. The third book in 1964 was Uncle Shelby's Zoo Don't Bump the Glump! and Other Fantasies, Shel's first poetry collection, and his first and only book illustrated in full color. It combined his unique imagination and bold brand of humor in this collection of silly and scary creatures. Shel's second collection of poems and drawings, Where the Sidewalk Ends, was published in 1974. His recording of the poems won him a Grammy for best Children's Album. In this collection, Shel invited children to dream and dare to imagine the impossible, from a hippopotamus sandwich to the longest nose in the world. With his next collection of poems and drawings, A Light in the Attic, published in 1981, Shel asked his readers to turn the light on in their attics, to put something silly in the world, and not to be discouraged by the Whatifs. Instead he urged readers to catch the moon or invite a dinosaur to dinner- to have fun! A Light in the Attic was the first children's book to break onto the New York Times Bestseller List, where it stayed for a record-breaking 182 weeks. The last book that was published before his death in 1999 was Falling Up (1996). Like his other books, it is filled with unforgettable characters. Shel Silverstein's legacy continued with the release of a new work,Runny Babbit, the first posthumous publication conceived and completed before his death and released in March 2005. Witty and wondrous, Runny Babbit is a poetry collection of simple spoonerismsH, which twist the tongue and tease the mind. Don't Bump the Glump! And Other Fantasies was recently reissued in 2008 after being unavailable for over 30 years. Shel was always a believer in letting his work do the talking for him--few authors have ever done it better.
The late Shel Silverstein's silliness is on full display in this classic 1964 collection of poems about monsters. Silverstein channelled Dr. Seuss in his use of made-up words for imaginary creatures: The Gletcher, the wild Gazite, the Gross-Bottomed Grood. The topper? The unpronounceable Zrbangdraldnk, the name for what basically is just a big lumpy face with feet.
Most of the poems are illustrated with wonderfully loose pen-and-ink drawings swirled with watercolors. The translucent paint looks wet; you can see brush strokes and places where the colors have seeped together. Often the paint doesn't stay inside the line. In fact, I don't think it ever does. But then, I guess when you're painting a Glump, a certain looseness is appropriate.
My favorite poem here:
The Slithergadee has crawled out of the sea. He may catch all the others, but he won't catch me. No you won't catch me, old Slithergadee, You may catch all the others, but you wo---
I am so glad to see this old standard by a master writer back in print. Shel Silverstein was such a treasure for readers of all ages but especially children. I have a copy coming for my granddaughter who is a book lover at 3.
What makes Silverstein's books so wonderful is the playful use of language in a poetical environment. My youngest daughter put many of Silverstein's poems to memory and impressed those around her when she would take to reciting.
Don't Bump the Glump deserves to be in every childs bedroom.
Yippee! I am delighted to see this charming book of silly monster poems back in print! It is full of wacky creatures, whimsical rhymes and wonderful illustrations. It is great to read aloud. Formerly titled "Uncle Shelby's Zoo", my 1964 edition has been read by friends and children of all ages. It shares the honored bookshelf with other great childhood poetry favorites, such as A. A. Milne and Lewis Carroll. I have long wanted to copies to give to subsequent generations, and now I can. It is appropriate for elementary readers. Everyone will appreciate the humor and heart of Shel Silverstein.
This is his first work. The pictures and rhymes are good, but not as fantastic as his other work. Only get this if you are interested in collecting all his work, otherwise some of his other titles are better.
Now you don't have to pay the outrageous prices of the used 1964 version of this early Shel Silverstein book. It is reproduced with all it's unbelievable imaginary creatures. It is Silverstein's first poetry collection and aren't fans glad he didn't stop. If you don't know about Silverstein this is a good way to start.
His books are usually suggested for children. I don't agree. Most young children don't get the full picture of the wit and skill of this writer. Kids will like the pictures and the rhymes but there is an exceptional form of humor that takes older youth to adults to fully appreciate. So, it's one for the whole family, but Dad and Mom, reading to the kids, will laugh loudest and longest.
I was unaware that the collection in this book originally appeared in Playboy Magazine. Don't worry--all is safe for any age. It does explain why reading this to grandchildren, nieces and nephews, produces pure fun--but again, the adult reader is the winner. If a word didn't work, the author created a new one. Creatures have names that came more from rhyming need than description--his watercolor/pen images are beyond word description.
Wait till you see the expression on the face of the LONG-NECKED PREPOSTEROUS. Ever seen a GRU, GLEECH, GUMPLEGUTCH, GAZITE, or a GREEL. And the expression on the face of the Tiny-Toed Flustering Phant (Shel Silverstein calls it a snob but asks not to repeat that) is priceless.
Yes, this is a delightful short book for all ages to get a taste of Silverstein. Then move on to "Runny Babbit", the author's final book, published posthumously. It's another "KIDS" book that will actually be enjoyed by an adult reader more than the child. Honest!...
And if, when it's time----Shel's line end's don't rhyme----It just perfectly fine----Shel Silverstein will just add something goofy and silly and make you laugh again and again, just like the last page.
A great GIFT BOOK for any age, any time.Read more ›
This book has been out of print for much too long. It's a pleasure to see it finally available again. I owned this book many years ago and had searched for a copy on-line for decades, it was a real thrill to see it in a bookstore again....finally.
This new edition is beautifully printed with clear reproductions of the water color monsters that accompany each piece of poetry. It's even better than I remember it.
Even though these aren't completely friendly monsters, ALL children love the silly names and the poetry that makes them think. From the silly Crawfee fish to the invisible Muffer, there's a character for everyone.
As a youngster I've read and recited these poems to rooms full of 9 and 10 year olds, who love to hear the silliness and wonder at those pictures. The poems excite their imagination and make them want to learn these so they can recite them to other friends.
I'd recommend the book to anyone, especially if you love limericks and other funny poems.
