The Missing Piece (An Ursula Nordstrom Book) [Hardcover]

Shel Silverstein (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: January 24, 2006 | Age Range: 1 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 100L (What's this?)

It was missing a piece.
And it was not happy.
So it set off in search
of its missing piece.
And as it rolled
it sang this song -

Oh I'm lookin' for my missin' piece
I'm lookin' for my missin' piece
Hi-dee-ho, here I go,
Lookin' for my missin' piece.

What it finds on its search for the missing piece is simply and touchingly told in this fable that gently probes the nature of quest and fulfillment.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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.

Product Details

• Age Range: 1 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Harper & Row; 1st edition (January 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060256710
• ISBN-13: 978-0060256715
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Human Spirit Captured in the Simplicity of a Circle! July 2, 1997

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Shel Silverstein's "The Missing Piece" is
truly entertaining, capturing the essence of the human spirit in the simplicity of a circle.

Like a person searching for his 'soul mate',
the Circle is happy in life, but feels incomplete, and longs for the day when it will finally find what it has been missing.

We see the Circle finding many pieces, all perfectly fine alone, but just not the right fit with our Circle. Some are too large, or too small, or too pointy. Still, the Circle doesn't give up. It just merrily rolls along, talking to a worm, or smelling a flower, and singing its song. Human beings, like the circle, find that they have many relationships with other people who just aren't right for them, the 'halves' don't fit together right, shall we say.

Silverstein has created a remarkably versatile story that when read to children, is a lovely tale they will request to hear nightly, ( much like Shel's other fantabulous works) yet when read by adults, carries a hidden meaning, another story tucked away between the lines that so carefully reflect our own souls in their tightly connected thoughts.

I always enjoy the simplicity Shel Silverstein creates, and would highly recommend this story to all those who have ever longed for the perfect relationship, been in it, lost it or have it. As well, anyone wishing to fulfill both her and her child's reading desires with a wholesome, entertaining tale. It is definitly a wonderful piece of work!

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Make sure to get the sequel too! April 16, 2000

By [e-mail]

Format:Hardcover

Yes, the artwork is simple, but that's missing the point. The Missing Piece means even more to me as a college student then it did as a child. EVERYONE should read this book (along with its sequel The Missing Piece Meets the Big O)every 5 years. Together they are a testament to individualism, and the idea that life is in the journey, not the destination.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Missing Piece September 5, 2005

By Lauren Elizabeth Trimeloni

Format:Hardcover

One of the best books I've found to remind people, young and old, that they have to be their own piece long before they can be anyone else's! Happiness comes from the inside, and Mr. Silverstein demonstrates that elegantly and precisely in this beautiful life lesson, disguised as a children's book. A must-have for readers of all ages!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A way to look at life September 30, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I was given this book as a child and it continues to delight me every time I read it. I have never found another book that sums up how to look at life in such a simple and creative way. I live my life a certain way because of this lovely story.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a children's book... June 14, 2000

By [e-mail]

Format:Hardcover

I would just like to point out that Shel Silverstein may be known as a wonderful and famous children's book author, but these books have been extremely helpful to me throughout college and beyond also. I honestly think it would do everyone good to read his books - short, simple, and to the point. There is more to these stories than the amusing drawings - a deeper meaning that everyone could stand to read; and they are on a level at which anyone literate could read the stories and understand the message. Wonderful.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple yet so meaningful January 12, 2002

By Kristen A. Criado

Format:Hardcover

Shel Silverstein can say more with a few words and a few lines than someone with all of the vocabulary and artistic mediums of the universe. This simple book carries a beautiful message about the search for fullfillment. Don't let the label of "children's book" turn you away... The Missing Piece and it's sequel The Missing Piece Meets The Big O are brilliant books dealing with this journey we call life. Enchanting and moving.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Missing Piece May 19, 2006

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

Searching, looking, seeking, just can't find the missing piece. This is one of those books where you have buckets of fun and is easy to understand. I think this book is for all readers young to old or beginner to experienced. They will all have fun reading this book. This book is about a part of a circle who can't find his missing piece. He looks all over and can't find his missing piece, or does he. Get this amazing book and read it for you self.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Missing Piece March 11, 2003

By "mikomans"

Format:Hardcover

Shel Silverstein has done it again! Every book I have read of his has intrigued me. This is a great story about a lonely circle that is missing a piece. He is sad because of this and searches for his piece. He searches high and low. He does not realize that he is happy without his piece....You should find out why by reading The Missing Piece. It demonstrates well that u can be happy without having everything you want. You just need to find it in yourself.