Doesn't overreach itself.
The language is pretty, but not ornamental, and that's one of the reasons it's so short. It's not great, but it's decent. There's just not much to it.
Message
None.
good
But if it's such a great pet, why is it being sold cheap?
It's really cute. I would think that most children wouldn't get the emotional bits and would just think it was a funny book about having a rhinoceros for a pet. And it is funny. There's definitely no bad message to this. I don't think a child would actually get the impression from this that rhinoceroses make good pets. It's more or less a book of imagination, whimsy, and nonsense, and Shel Silverstein is a master of all three.
Message
None.
Maybe there aren't any ghosts, but there definitely are things.
I guess the lack of realism in the drawings of the monsters is what made this not as scary to me as a child, and that monsters were not really what I worried about. The realism of the story and the humanizing of the mother are really good.
Message
Parents are human, too, but they really love you and want what's best for you.
Onomatopoetic poetry.
There's nothing really to it. It's enjoyable and light. My kids enjoy making funny noises. Silly things are attractive to children. The imaginative, whimsical aspects of this book are great. There's no real message to it, but it might encourage children to use their imagination and be more descriptive of things.
Message
None.
When King Daddy promises the moon, he delivers.
It's kind of bad in that it turns out that none of them are really correct about the moon. It is super big and super far away, and they couldn't have really gotten it for him, but I think the real message is that everybody's opinion is equally important, even children.
Message
Try to understand things from others' point of view.
Don't know much about geography...
It's an autobiographical story. The author says he was about 4 or 5 when the map was first bought, and eventually he became a well-respected children's illustrator and writer.
Message
Even a small thing can change your life and spark your passion.
“Ladies and Gentlemen: The Beekles!”
It speaks to the shy little introvert in everyone, and talks about having the courage to do things that are difficult and that nobody else has ever done.
Message
Everybody deserves to have a friend.
Fly me to the moon...
It's sweet, simple, and gentle. It's definitely good for children who are into airplanes. It's an imaginative journey.
Message
Airplanes are awesome.
The best thing about dragons is nobody can tell you you're making them look wrong.
It's just kids having fun together and making something bigger than they are and playing with it, and having fun with their imaginations.
Message
Dragons are awesome.
Oh, go fly a kite!
It shows that even small people who are clever can be helpful. And small people are presumably the audience of this book.
Message
Loyalty and tenacity will be rewarded.