The Missing Piece Meets the Big O

In Shel Silverstein’s classic sequel to “The Missing Piece,” black-and-white line drawings illustrate the journey of the missing piece, a sad little triangle, who is looking for the someone who fits and makes him complete. It meets ones that are too big, too small, have too many pieces, are shy, travel in herds, and one day, seems to find one that fits just right! Until something happens, and the missing piece finds itself alone again.

This is a story that addresses so many issues — being alone and trying to find a friend, understanding why some fit and some don’t, being needy and lonely, becoming fulfilled on one’s own — yet remains a simple parable and does not become preachy. Though ostensibly a children’s book, this show more is a sweet encouraging story that many of us would do well to revisit. show less

No importa cuanto lea la primera parte de esta "saga", ni cuanto tiempo pase, este libro me encanta y lo amo, y creo que es esencial que todos lo leamos de niños...y de adultos.

__________________________________________________________
English review at the bottom

"- I didn't know you were going to grow
- I didn't know either"

¿Cómo es que una historia tan pequeña puede tener tanta sabiduría?

"The missing piece" nos habla acerca de las relaciones (amistades, pero principalmente amorosas) y ante todo trata de independencia y autoestima (no como concepto, sino como actitud) y de cómo estar faltos de ambas cosas puede lastimarnos. De como la desesperación puede hacer que las cosas sean más dificil y de como, muchas veces, podemos show more vernos como insuficientes.

"- A missing piece cannot roll by itself
- Have you ever tried?"

Una historia de menos de 50 páginas, pero que te deja una enseñanza muy linda. De nuevo Silvertein muestra en ilustraciones tan sencillas cosas muy complejas. Yo estoy un poco enamorada delos cuentos de este autor, pero creo que este lo pongo como mi favorito de entre todo lo que he leído de él (junto con un pequeño poema) así que yo lo recomiendo para pequeños, grandes, viejos, amargados y optimistas.



___________________________________

"- I didn't know you were going to grow
- I didn't know either"

How is it that such a small story can have such wisdom?

"The missing piece" talks about relationships (friendships but mostly love) and above all about independence and self-esteem (not as a concept but as an attitude) and how to be lacking both can hurt us. How despair can make things more difficult and how often, we see ourselves as insufficient.

"- A missing piece cannot roll by itself
- Have you ever tried?"

A history of less than 50 pages, but it leaves you a very nice school. Silverstein again as shown in simple illustrations very complex things. I'm a little in love with the stories by this author, but I think this put it as my favorit of everything I've read writted by him (along with a little poem) so I recommend it for childrens, adults, embittered and optimistic.

show less

"The Big O" is not my favorite book by Silverstein; not by a long shot. It's a re-make of his "The Missing Piece," told from the piece's point of view; the piece waits for the right O to fit into, so it can roll, since it is stuck in one place as a triangle. As usual, Silverstein's approach is witty and charming, and if one could ever believe that Silverstein meant to bear a "message" to children (which he vehemently denies), it's a good one: ultimately, the missing piece meets a complete O, who suggests to the piece that perhaps he can roll all by himself, and is therefore complete on his own, as he is.

This book could be used to examine the importance of point-of-view with children in creative writing and literature, and also, I show more suppose (this is a stretch) to talk somehow about erosion, since the piece ultimately flops over until his edges wear down and he's a mini-O himself. I did say it was a stretch. Nonetheless, it's an easy, quick, enjoyable read to share with children, just for the heck of it. show less

This is my all-time favorite children's book. I think this book is great because it uses very simple language and illustrations which make it very approachable for students. For example, all of the illustrations look like they were simply drawn with a black crayon, and the big o is not a perfect circle, and flower looks like a flower you could draw yourself. The easy reading is great because it can be used for any grade level and adults alike. I also love this book because it has a topic that I do not think a lot of children's book approach and that is happiness. I like that this book teaches the reader that they do not need anyone else to be happy, and they can be complete by themselves. I like it as an adult because it is an show more empowering book that can relate to relationships, in saying that you do not need a partner to complete you. The missing piece learns that he does not need to fit with anyone else, he can learn to roll by himself, and when he does he finds someone to roll with! I believe the big picture is that you can be happy and complete by yourself! show less

Such a lovely story about not fitting in - and making your own way in the world. For such simple drawings, these characters are really full of emotion- and for such a simple story - it is incredibly deep. Its all about fitting into a world where you don't fit. A story that both kids and adults will relate to. Highly recommended!

Once Again, Silverstein delivers. This colorless book that at first glance seems boring and lifeless, delivers a strong message about not thinking of oneself as helpless, but creating within you the person you desire to be. This book sends a message to the reader that nobody else can take them where they want to go, they must make it themselves. In this book we see the connection to reality as we ourselves sometimes feel like a missing piece. We come to find people all over who have done things a different way, ways that won't really work for us. We become inspired and enlightened by someone who gives us a hope but makes us achieve greatness for ourselves.

A sort of fable about the missing piece and its efforts to find another it could fit in with. After many failed efforts, it learns that perhaps it is best to learn to go along on its own. In the process of growth the missing piece finds that the best relationship is one in which one grows along with another, rather than trying to become a smaller part of the other. I prefer "The Giving Tree", but this is a nice story with a good message that adults will probably get better than the kids.