MOON-CATCHIN’ NET by Shel Silverstein

Moon-Catchin’ Net is my favorite poem in the Shel Silverstein book A Light in the Attic. The poem is written in a narrative structure but tells a short story. Silverstein uses several techniques in this poem. He uses rhythm and rhyme which I believe makes the poem flow nicely. He also uses imagery when writing of the little girl “huntin’ and catchin,” the moon; as if it is alive. The form of the poem gives way to the idea that catching the moon in a net is quite possible; if you had a net big enough for the job. 

I was definitely one of those children that thought the moon was made of cheese. The first time I read this poem I remember thinking,” Wow, if I could catch the moon I would eat it!” I believe that Mr. Silverstein was brilliant in his ability to appeal to a child’s imagination, especially about the world beyond our own. This kind of poetry can (and did) inspire a child to think outside of the box, heck, even outside the atmosphere. Why not try to reach the moon? Neal Armstrong did it! Why not look up sometimes and wonder what it would be like to reach for the stars? In other words, go for your goals, no matter how impossible they may seem. Sure would be a good change instead of watching tv or playing computer games (I say as I type on my laptop). Even as an adult I still look up at the moon sometimes and wonder what it would be like to catch and eat it. It still looks like cheese to me and I love cheese. Yummy! 

Reflective Reading

• Have you ever looked up at the stars at night?
• What kind of shapes can you make by playing 'connect the dots' with the stars?
•  If you could go to outer space, which planet would you go to and why?
• If you discovered a new planet, what would you name it?

Active Reading

As a fun activity, try drawing an alien version of yourself. Give your alien-self a name by mixing up the letters in your first and last name. Write a story (or poem) about what planet he/she is from and what life is like on the planet.

Another fun activity would be trying to catch the moon yourself, but in a picture. With mom and dads permission, you could stay up a little late and keep a moon log. Every night for a week draw (or take) a picture of what the moon looks like as it goes through its many phases of change. Do some research about the stages of the moons different shapes and why the moon changes.

Silverstein, S. (1981) A light in the attic:Moon-catchin' net. New York . HarperCollins