Book review - Every Thing On It.

Every Thing On It is a 194 page collection of Shel Silverstein's poems and drawings. The book was published in 2011. Silverstein died in 1999 and this collection was drawn from works he either had under way or had left out of his previous books.

This book follows in the grand tradition of Falling Up, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and A Light in the Attic. Mr. Silverstein may have not thought that all of these poems made the cut but they fit right into this collection. The drawings add to the already descriptive poems and sometimes help to make the connection. From the toilet troll to Professor Shore to Mustache Mo, Silverstein's characters come easily to life and relate well to all ages.

Perhaps the only downside to this volume is the realization that it is the final such work. To quote the final poem in the book:

When I am gone what will you do?
Who will write and draw for you?
Someone smarter - someone new?
Someone better - maybe YOU!

What will we do indeed. Any fan of Shel's or of just good reading would do well to grab a copy of Every Thing On It as soon as possible. That will go a long way towards keeping Shel Silverstein from leaving too soon.