--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We expect kids to go straight from Shel…" description: "\"We expect kids to go straight from Shel Silverstein to William Shakespeare. There needs to be a bridge of relatable, fun, rhythmic verse that gets kids..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/291/kwame-alexander-35371_appreciate_we-expect-kids-to-go-straight-from-shel_820763.jpg" --- # We expect kids to go straight from Shel Silverstein to… ![“We expect kids to go straight from Shel Silverstein to William Shakespeare. There needs to be a bridge of relatable, fun, rhythmic verse that gets kids to cross over, so to speak, so they can appreciate Mary Oliver and Naomi Shihab Nye and Langston Hughes.” quote by Kwame Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/291/kwame-alexander-35371_appreciate_we-expect-kids-to-go-straight-from-shel_820763.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/291/kwame-alexander-35371_appreciate_we-expect-kids-to-go-straight-from-shel_820763.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/291/kwame-alexander-35371_appreciate_we-expect-kids-to-go-straight-from-shel_820763.jpg) > “We expect kids to go straight from Shel Silverstein to William Shakespeare. There needs to be a bridge of relatable, fun, rhythmic verse that gets kids to cross over, so to speak, so they can appreciate Mary Oliver and Naomi Shihab Nye and Langston Hughes.” [Kwame Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kwame-alexander/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that children need an engaging, rhythmic bridge between simple poetry and classic literature to foster appreciation for deeper works. **In simple terms:** Kids need fun, rhythmic verses to connect to classic poets. Key Takeaway Use relatable, rhythmic poetry as a stepping stone. Themes education literacy poetry bridge building child development Mood hopeful inspired Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - classroom reading - after‑school programs - poetry workshops - family reading time Key Concepts cognitive development cultural literacy engagement strategies Questions to Reflect On - What rhythmic forms can best bridge to classic poetry? - How do you measure increased appreciation for deeper works? A Different Perspective Some may view rhythmic verse as less serious literature. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Verses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/verses/) ## Related quotes > [I think I'm damn lucky. I'm lucky that my kids are all straight, that they haven't ended up in jail, that they're all worthwhile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-bacall/i-think-i-m-damn-lucky-i-m-lucky-that-my-kids-are-all-straight-that/) [Lauren Bacall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-bacall/) > [How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it. How many slices in a bread? 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