Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

"And he is easy to love" -- as is this whimsical book.

2002-09-19
I adore rhinos. A "cheap" rhinoceros -- well, there is no such thing, which is one of the tell-tale signs that Silverstein is up to his wonderful, tender, down-to-earth antics. ... It's a read-aloud book, so you can share your view of the world with them and vice versa. A great, honest book from one of our most honest children's writers. You'll love rhinos even more after reading the book with your kids (or, as an adult, with those you love or even by yourself). Now, if you're concerned by what other reviewers have written, read on; if not, stop here!

Let's not go too deep here; if we want literary criticism, one could argue that Shel's objectifying a living creature -- one that may soon be extinct! Rhinos are poached for their horn (among other things), after all, and the rhino in Silverstein's book is often used as an object.

But I don't think that's Silverstein's point; in fact, it's the exact opposite -- how fun to have a friend with whom you can play pirates and "good guy-bad guy" and all kinds of other fun pretend stuff and who will help you out just as you help him -- in short, a friend who is with you through thick and thin, good and bad. We should all be so lucky.

Two key lines that helped me survive college come from this book. "He is awfully good for yelling at . . ." is one, and I'm tearing up (really!) just remembering the line. It's not fair that our rhino friend be the brunt of our sadness or anger, but as a friend he's willing to take it. And then, immediately following, is the book's sweet ending: " . . . and he is easy to love." That's what human relationships are all about: sometimes we give of ourselves as little more than a foot stool; we try to protect the ones we love; sometimes we let our friends yell at us because they have stuff to get off their chest; and always, always, because we give of ourselves, we are easy to love.

I've written a lot into this (always do), but it's a simple book with some complex stuff lurking under the surface. I mean, all the great children's authors, from Frank Baum to Maurice Sendak to William Steig, write books that appeal to all ages -- kids take the story on a "surface" level, whereas adults (like me) read subtext into the story. Please don't be scared of this book!! Embrace it, just as you would a cheap rhinoceros. None of us are cheap, and that's just where Silverstein leads us.

Disapointing from a great author 2002-09-10
This looks like another great Silverstein book saved from the obscurity of being first copyrighted in 1964, but perhaps it should have stayed there, as one particular page ruins the whole book. A rhino is good for many things, but I could never read to a young child that "he is great for not letting your mother hit you when you haven't really done anything bad."

Since mothers shouldn't be hitting their kids in their first place, and certainly not for no reason, I'm having trouble with this as appropriate to read to kids, especially when there are so many other great books to read instead.

I Want a Cheap Rhinoceros! 2002-08-25
In this Shel Silverstin sleeper (not one of his best-known books), the value of owning a rhinoceros is illustrated on each page in the most delightful black and white drawings. It seems a rhino can double as a table lamp, keep one warm at night (although a rhino lying on one's body at night can be a bit smothering), play jump rope, keep one's angry parents at bay if one has been naughty, and so many other things.

We also find out that rhinos are not partial to bathing, and although they will allow themselves to dress up as a girl for Halloween, it's not a favorite with the average male rhino.

By the time this book is over, your kids will be clamoring to go to the store and buy a rhinoceros--and who can blame them! I want one too!

For a growing imagination 2001-09-20
This book came out when I was four and is one of only two books I remember from my childhood so it holds a special place in my memory. This is a book about love and affection. It is also a book that stretches one's imagination as you must imagine all the possible uses of a rhino. Frankly, the book is funny. Does the book contain certain passages that some parents might find objectionable? Opening a beer can with the horn? Perhaps politically incoreect, but give a child credit in just enjoying this story of love and imagination. I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough for me to read this book to her.

A treasure 2001-08-15
Not only is this a highly imaginative book for children, but it also about love, vulnerability and humor. Between the ages of 4 to 8, children have generally become well aware of the imperfections in their parents and to a more limited extent in the world, as well. Regrettably, it is often parents who are the last to face the truth. If anyone can understand Charlie Brown's love for a skinny X-mas tree, then you will appreciate this funny, little, love story between a child and a used rhinoceros. When a book has great cartoons like this one, don't just give the book to your kid to read and look at, but read it together and enjoy. My own daughter is now an adult, but when she was in this in age range, she made me read it to her before bed, every night, and sometimes, twice....

Great Children's Book 2008-07-20
As a former elementary school library tech I give this book a BIG 4 stars. Children (and adults) will delight in the humor of the illustrations!

don't appreciate page with mother hitting child 2008-05-29
usually love Silverstein books, and most of this page is very inventive and cute, but the page that says "and he is great for not letting your mother hit you when you haven't really done anything bad" insinuates that it is actually acceptable for a parent to hit a child - which I totally disagree with and will return this book for that reason.

Great for classrooms. 2006-08-03
I've used this book with students from kindergarten to fifth grade. I made a flash video using the images from the book and added my own audio and sound effects. It's really an awesome book to do a "Create Your Own" with. Students can get really creative with the idea of having a wild animal in their own home that can do lots of random things for them. I recommend everyone buy this book now. It's worth it.

As for the comment on the mother hitting the kid in the book...Silverstein is obviously writing from a child's point of view. Children always think parents do things for no reason. "I didn't do anything except pee on all the toilet paper...She got mad for no reason!" Think about it.

Who does? You do! 2005-10-15
My 5-year-old son absolutely loves this book! I loved Shel Silverstein as a child and I am excited that my son has discovered him already. I read this book aloud to my son's preschool class, and they laughed out loud! What better review is there than from a class full of 5-year-olds? The only reason I have given it 4 stars versus 5 is that it discusses the rhinoceros opening your uncle's beer can, and your mother hitting you. Luckily my son does not read yet, so in our version of the story the rhinoceros opens a CAN, and he keeps your mother from GETTING you. The rhinoceros appears peering out of a toilet, which anyone who knows a 5-year-old is aware, is pretty darn funny.

Just plain fun. 2004-11-28
Yes it's plain - loose line drawings, and a sentence or half on each page. But it's fun. There's imagination, play, friendship, and everything else you want a "read to me" kid to hear and see.

No big lessons, just a bit of happy goofiness. I want more.

//wiredweird