Light In The Attic – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Light In The Attic

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book1985

86%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Shel Silverstein's whimsical, slightly morbid poetry collection that turns kids into word nerds—one silly verse at a time.

Light In The Attic

book

NR, 1985

86%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Shel Silverstein's whimsical, slightly morbid poetry collection that turns kids into word nerds—one silly verse at a time.

4.8

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the book that convinces kids poetry isn't just stuffy sonnets—it's silly, subversive, and sometimes a little dark. Silverstein's loose illustrations and absurdist humor have aged remarkably well; modern kids still crack up at 'Backward Bill' and 'Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too.'

The 'morbid' poems parents worry about? They're more quirky than traumatic—think gallows humor lite, not nightmare fuel. Read it together the first time through, skip anything that doesn't fit your kid's vibe, and watch them beg to read 'just one more' at bedtime.

It's a gateway drug to loving language, writing goofy poems, and realizing books can be genuinely fun. At 4.8 stars on Amazon and a Common Sense Media stamp of approval, this one's earned its spot on every elementary bookshelf.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-12, especially as a read-aloud for younger kids or independent reading for confident readers. A few poems are better saved for 8+, but most are perfect for early elementary. Teens and adults still enjoy the nostalgia and clever wordplay, but it's primarily a kids' classic.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Silverstein's poems blend gentle moral lessons with mischief and wordplay, creating a tone that's emotionally healthy for elementary-age kids. Some poems touch on 'suggestive and morbid' topics—death, darker humor—but they're handled with whimsy rather than trauma. The book doesn't model explicit kindness lessons, but it invites kids to think about consequences and choices through playful verse. Best as a shared read-aloud where parents can navigate or skip the edgier pieces.

Imaginative

This is peak creative wordplay and absurdist humor. Silverstein's signature loose, hand-drawn illustrations and poems like 'Backward Bill' invite kids to see language as a playground. The verses spark curiosity about rhythm, rhyme, and storytelling structure—many kids are inspired to write their own silly poems after reading this. It's a gateway to loving poetry and playing with words.

Safe

Books are generally safe, and this one is no exception. A few poems have darker or morbid jokes (think: death, slightly creepy scenarios) that might unsettle very young kids if read solo, but nothing graphic or traumatic. Common Sense Media and parent reviews recommend 6+ with the caveat that some poems are best previewed or saved for older kids. No gore, no sexual content, no violence—just occasional gallows humor that's mild by 2025 standards.

Enriching

Silverstein builds vocabulary, introduces poetic devices (rhyme, meter, alliteration), and teaches kids that reading can be funny and subversive. The moral lessons are subtle—consequences, empathy, thinking outside the box—woven into absurd scenarios. It's a staple in classrooms for poetry units and a proven way to hook reluctant readers. The entertainment value is high, and the cognitive payoff (language skills, humor appreciation) is real.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Sparks a love of poetry and wordplay in kids who think reading is boring
Perfect for read-aloud sessions—funny, rhythmic, and easy to perform with silly voices
Teaches language skills (rhyme, meter, vocabulary) without feeling like homework
Timeless humor that still lands with modern kids; no dated references or cringe
Great gateway to creative writing—many kids are inspired to write their own goofy poems

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What to Watch For

A handful of poems have darker or morbid humor (death, creepy scenarios) that might spook kids under 6
Best as a shared read so you can preview or skip the edgier pieces for younger listeners
Some wordplay might go over very young heads—this shines brightest for kids 6-9 who get the jokes

Conversation Starters

"Which poem made you laugh the hardest? Can you read it to me in a funny voice?"
"If you could write a Shel Silverstein-style poem about our family, what would it be about?"
"Some of these poems are a little spooky or sad. Which ones did you think were too weird, and which were just funny-weird?"
"Why do you think Shel Silverstein drew his own pictures? Do they make the poems better or worse?"

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