SHEL SILVERSTEIN Shel Silverstein was born on September 25, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois and began writing and drawing at a young age. He became a cartoonist, playwright, poet, performer, recording artist, and Grammy- winning, Oscar- nominated songwriter. Shel Silverstein was born on September 25, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois and began writing and drawing at a young age. He became a cartoonist, playwright, poet, performer, recording artist, and Grammy- winning, Oscar- nominated songwriter.

He always preferred to say little about himself. When I was a kid, he told Publishers Weekly in 1975, I would much rather have been a good baseball player or a hit with the girls. But I couldnt play ball. I couldnt dance. So I started to draw and to write. I was lucky that I didnt have anyone to copy, be impressed by. I had developed my own style. He always preferred to say little about himself. When I was a kid, he told Publishers Weekly in 1975, I would much rather have been a good baseball player or a hit with the girls. But I couldnt play ball. I couldnt dance. So I started to draw and to write. I was lucky that I didnt have anyone to copy, be impressed by. I had developed my own style. Shel Silverstein served in the United States Army in the early nineteen fifties. He worked as an artist for the American military newspaper, Pacific Stars and Stripes. He wrote his first book in nineteen fifty-five. Take Ten was about life in the army, and included drawings. Shel Silverstein served in the United States Army in the early nineteen fifties. He worked as an artist for the American military newspaper, Pacific Stars and Stripes. He wrote his first book in nineteen fifty-five. Take Ten was about life in the army, and included drawings. Shel Silverstein wrote hundreds of poems and published many books. He is most famous as a writer of books for children. He won several awards for his childrens books. Shel Silverstein wrote hundreds of poems and published many books. He is most famous as a writer of books for children. He won several awards for his childrens books.

His works His works include such modern classics as Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back (1963 His works include such modern classics as Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back (1963 This story is about a lion who acquired a hunter's gun and practiced until he became a good enough shot to join the circus. This story is about a lion who acquired a hunter's gun and practiced until he became a good enough shot to join the circus.

Shel Silversteins second childrens poetry book is called A Light in the Attic. It also contains many funny poems and drawings. This book was so popular that it was on the New York Times newspapers list of best-selling books for more than three years. Shel Silversteins second childrens poetry book is called A Light in the Attic. It also contains many funny poems and drawings. This book was so popular that it was on the New York Times newspapers list of best-selling books for more than three years. « Where the Sidewalk Ends is a place where you can wash your shadow. You can plant a garden of diamonds. It is a place where shoes can fly. And a crocodile goes to the dentist because his tooth hurts. « Where the Sidewalk Ends is a place where you can wash your shadow. You can plant a garden of diamonds. It is a place where shoes can fly. And a crocodile goes to the dentist because his tooth hurts.

Silverstein was also the author of the children's classic The Giving Tree. There was once a great apple tree and a little boy. They would spend hours and hours together. The boy would play in the trees branches, sleep at her roots and eat of her apples. And the tree loved the boy. There was once a great apple tree and a little boy. They would spend hours and hours together. The boy would play in the trees branches, sleep at her roots and eat of her apples. And the tree loved the boy. One day, the boy came to the tree. The tree was delighted and beckoned, Come and play! But the boy was no longer a boy; he was now a young man, and he was interested in making a living, but he didnt know how. One day, the boy came to the tree. The tree was delighted and beckoned, Come and play! But the boy was no longer a boy; he was now a young man, and he was interested in making a living, but he didnt know how. Here, the tree said, take my apples and sell them. The young man did just that, and the tree was happy. Here, the tree said, take my apples and sell them. The young man did just that, and the tree was happy.

Shel Silverstein always illustrated his works. Here are some of his witty drawings.

Apart from his cartoons, Silverstein began writing songs in the country- western style. In 1969 one of these, "A Boy Named Sue," was made a hit for the singer Johnny Cash Apart from his cartoons, Silverstein began writing songs in the country- western style. In 1969 one of these, "A Boy Named Sue," was made a hit for the singer Johnny Cash

Silverstein died at his Florida home on May 9, He will be greatly missed, though his zest for life and sense of humor live in his books. If you like to get familiar with his wonderful titles, we encourage you to read and share them with your family and friends. They can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Silverstein died at his Florida home on May 9, He will be greatly missed, though his zest for life and sense of humor live in his books. If you like to get familiar with his wonderful titles, we encourage you to read and share them with your family and friends. They can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

shelsilverstein.com The official website of Shel Silverstein features poems, drawings, children's activites, teaching materials, and much more. The official website of Shel Silverstein features poems, drawings, children's activites, teaching materials, and much more.