The+Missing+Piece

=The Missing Piece =

__Bibliographical Data __

Author: Shel Silverstein Illustrator: Shel Silverstein Publisher: Harper and Row Edition: 1st Format: Hard cover, 112 pages ISBN: ISBN-10: 0060256710 ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-0060256715 Genre: Fiction, Picture Book Reader’s Age: 1-8 years Sequel: The Missing Piece Meets the Big O

__Summary __  The circle is missing his piece. He is sad without his piece and sets out on a search for the perfect fitting missing piece. In an attempt to bring joy to his life, he must face obstacles and hard decisions that poke holes in his desire for true happiness. In an attempt to bring bliss back into his life he find that joy can occur in the most surprising way possible.

__Review __ This book was one of my favorites growing up. It is simply written, yet complex in so many ways. It is a type of story one may expect a high-school student to interpret and analyze, yet it brings the same themes and ideas down to the level of a child. Growing up, I felt sorry for the circle, yet his realization in the end that he does not require a piece to feel fulfilled calls for a deeper sense of thinking. To a child, this could be a great story that speaks to them at a young age. It is relatable in its simplicity and at the same time speaks a message that is easy to understand and messages that are straightforward. The pictures are clear and concise and convey perfect emotion, so that children of all ages may grasp the meaning and moral of this wonderful story.

__<span style="color: #0074ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Analysis of Literary Elements __ <span style="color: #0074ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">As mentioned in my own review, there are many themes that may be interpreted when reading this book. The book discusses true happiness, fulfillment, love, and even non-monogamy. It is typical for us to live our lives searching and searching for the right answers; constantly trying to fill the voids in our lives. Shel Silverstein delicately questions this way of thinking. If we are constantly searching for the perfect life, how will we have time to stop and smell the flowers? In search for fulfillment, what if it keeps us from the things that truly make us happy? Is the grass always greener on the other side? These questions are presented beautifully within each page. Although the themes of the story seem complex and hard to explain to a child, Silverstein easily portrays his thoughts on the topic through simple drawings and theme developments.

__<span style="color: #0074ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Author Biography __ <span style="color: #0074ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Sheldon Allan “Shel” Silverstein was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 25th, 1930. As a writer and drawer since a very young age, Shel started out as a cartoonist. Eventually, he was drawn to the art of children’s literature where he is known for some of his best work such as: A Light in the Attic, The Giving Tree, The Missing Piece, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and Falling Up. Shel turned to theater and music as well, creating over 15 albums and a screenplay called “Things Change.” Shel died in May of 1999, but his work has touched the lives of many people. His works have been translated into 30 languages and has sold over 20 million copies of books.

<span style="color: #0074ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I have added the YouTube Video of the book: [|The Missing Piece- visual]