Where the Sidewalk Ends (2019) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

Name: Where the Sidewalk Ends
Rating: 4.1 (92 reviews)
Author: Shel Silverstein

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

If you are a dreamer, come in, If you are a dreamer, A wisher, a liar, A hope-er, a pray-er, A magic bean buyer... Come in ... for where the sidewalk ends, Shel Silverstein's world begins. You'll meet a boy who turns into a TV set, and a girl who eats a whale. The Unicorn and the Bloath live there, and so does Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who will not take the garbage out. It is a place where you wash your shadow and plant diamond gardens, a place where shoes fly, sisters are auctioned off, and crocodiles go to the dentist. Shel… Sign up for the full guide

Middle Grade • 2019 • 168 pages • Grade 3-6

by Shel Silverstein

4.1

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

This classic poetry collection is known for its whimsical, absurdist, and sometimes dark humor that appeals to children and adults alike. While mostly lighthearted, parents should note occasional mentions of mild violence (like a character getting eaten), dark themes involving mortality, and some mildly bratty behavior or cartoonish rebellion. It is a staple of children's literature, best for readers who enjoy creative wordplay and can… Sign up for the full guide

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Is Where the Sidewalk Ends appropriate for kids?

Content severity in Where the Sidewalk Ends

Sex None 0/10

Violence Moderate 3/10

Language Mild 1/10

Substances None 0/10

Themes Mild 2/10

What happens in Where the Sidewalk Ends, moment by moment

p. 9 🔥 Mature Themes 1/10
p. 24 ⚔ Violence & Gore 2/10
p. 35 💬 Language 1/10

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Sex and nudity in Where the Sidewalk Ends

There is no sexual content in this collection of poems. Romance is limited to abstract or silly concepts, such as a man marrying a 'sour-faced maid' in a comedic context to avoid chores. The illustrations are simple line drawings that occasionally feature bare feet or cartoonish characters in pajamas, but never in a suggestive manner. Some poems explore the idea of kissing, but only in the context of childhood games or nonsensical rhymes. Overall, the content remains entirely appropriate for a primary school…

Violence and gore in Where the Sidewalk Ends

Violence is strictly cartoonish and metaphorical, often used to punctuate a joke or a moral lesson. Examples include a girl eating a whale, a boy being slowly swallowed by a boa constrictor, and various characters meeting absurd ends in poems. In 'The Crocodile's Toothache,' a dentist's hand is implied to be bitten off, and 'The Flying Festoon' mentions being snatched away. These moments are illustrated with minimalist sketches that lack gore or realistic detail. The 'violence' serves the absurdist tone rather…

Language in Where the Sidewalk Ends

Language is very mild throughout the collection. There are no profanities, though words like 'liar,' 'silly,' 'foolish,' or 'stupid' may appear in a rhythmic, playful context within the rhymes. The word 'heck' is used in the poem about the boa constrictor, serving as the strongest exclamation in the book. The poetry often uses slang or invented words to fit the meter, but nothing derogatory or offensive is present. It is consistent with the reading level of a middle-grade student.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Where the Sidewalk Ends

There is no substance use or drug references in this book. A few poems mention tea, milk, or common food-related items like pancakes and hot dogs in a whimsical manner. There are no depictions of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substances in either the text or the accompanying illustrations. One poem mentions a 'magic potion,' but it is presented as a fantastical element of childhood play. The focus remains entirely on imaginative play and food-based humor.

Mature themes in Where the Sidewalk Ends

Themes include imagination, the ending of childhood, social pressure, and laziness. Some poems explore dark irony or the consequences of greed and vanity, such as the girl who refuses to take out the garbage until she is buried in it. The book often champions the logic of a child over the rigid rules of adults, promoting creative thinking and individuality. There are also moments of poignancy regarding growing up and losing one's sense of wonder. Parents should be aware that the 'macabre' tone of some poems deals…

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Where the Sidewalk Ends appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Where the Sidewalk Ends is best for ages 6+. This classic poetry collection is known for its whimsical, absurdist, and sometimes dark humor that appeals to children and adults alike. While mostly lighthearted, parents should note occasional mentions of mild…

What age rating does Where the Sidewalk Ends have?

Books don't carry official age ratings. Where the Sidewalk Ends is published for a Middle Grade audience, and Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 6+.

What reading level is Where the Sidewalk Ends?

Where the Sidewalk Ends is 168 pages and its reading level is Grade 3-6. Bontent recommends it for ages 6+.

What is Where the Sidewalk Ends about?

Is there sex or nudity in Where the Sidewalk Ends?

How violent is Where the Sidewalk Ends?

Is the language in Where the Sidewalk Ends appropriate for kids?

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in Where the Sidewalk Ends?

What mature themes appear in Where the Sidewalk Ends?

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