The Missing Piece
The Missing Piece, by Shel Silverstien is a children’s book about a little circle who has a small piece missing. He rolls around slowly and sings a song about how he wishes he could find his missing piece. He goes by some flowers, meets a butterfly, climbs a mountain, and even falls in a few holes along his way to find his missing piece. He finds a few pieces that look like they fit, however, some are too large, some are too small, some are too hard, and some are too weak. After traveling a long ways, the circle finally finds a piece that fits! He puts it in and now he is a compete circle that can roll around. He rolls down the mountain, past the flowers, and past the butterfly, faster than he was able to ever roll before however, he realizes that with his new piece, he rolls too fast to enjoy the things he had liked doing before, such as smelling the flowers, and singing, and talking to the butterfly. So, eventually, he takes out the piece again and goes on his way singing a happy song and playing with the butterfly.
I think that this book is well written and would be great to share in a classroom with young children because of its illustrations, style, tone, and plot. This children’s book is illustrated with simple drawings, yet they extend the context of the story beyond the words by adding emotions and facial expressions to the thoughts and words of the circle. For example, the author wrote that the circle “had many adventures” but without the picture, the reader would not know what kind of adventures the circle had because that is all that the author said about it. I also think that the style and words choice of this story is engaging because it rhymes. This provides the reader with a melodic story that makes them want to sing along to the rhythm. For example, the circle says “before you go greasing your knees, and fleecing your bees” (Silverstien, 34). The rhymes throughout the book make it fun and easy to read. Also, the author includes some made up words to add humor to the book. For example, when the circle tries to sing with the piece in his mouth, he says “I’ve frown my nizzin’ geez, Uf vron my mitzin’ brees,” instead of “I’ve found my missing piece”. (Silverstien, p. 80). This creative language makes the book fun to read with children and fun to read aloud. Lastly, the plot of the book is suspenseful and fast paced, which makes it fun for children to read and wonder what the next piece the circle will find. Also, it teaches a valuable lesson for children, that you are the way you are for a reason, and you shouldn’t try to change yourself into something you are not. I think that this book would be good to read with children in either 1st or 2nd grade because it is funny and creative, has good pictures to look at, and it is not too long. |