Missing Piece Meets the Big O

The missing piece sat alone waiting for someone to come along and take it somewhere....

The different ones it encounters - and what it discovers in its helplessness - are portrayed with simplicity and compassion in the words and drawings of Shel Silverstein.

A missing piece, looking for someone to carry it along, finally develops its own momentum.

The missing piece sat alone waiting for someone to come along and take it somewhere....

The different ones it encounters - and what it discovers in its helplessness - are portrayed with simplicity and compassion in the words and drawings of Shel Silverstein.

Beverley Fahey - Children's Literature

The 25th anniversary edition remains virtually unchanged form the 1981 original. The missing piece is searching for a circle to belong to, ("someone to take it somewhere") and tries to find the perfect fit. It searches in vain until it meets the Big O, which gives it the confidence it needs to "roll all by yourself." This touching and simple lesson in becoming independent is filled with hope. Each line drawing is imbued with life and personality. On their own, children may see this as an adventure story of the missing piece, but with adult help can appreciate it as a life lesson that teaches one to depend on oneself and how to successfully roll through life. 2006 (orig. 1981), HarperCollins, and Ages 6 to adult.

Not only was Shel Silverstein one of the funniest children s book authors, he was also one of the most subversive. Through his irresistible rhymes, poems, and drawings, Silverstein made children feel like they were being spoken to as adults; and adults the chance to remember what it felt like to be a child.