1. Author/Illustrator September 25, 1930 – May 10, 1999 Shel Silverstein

2. Shel’s Writing Career Shel was more than just an illustrator and author, he was a cartoonist, poet, songwriter, and play writer. He is known mainly for his children’s books. Silverstein started out as a cartoonist for the US Army’s Star & Stripes magazine. Later started working for Playboy magazine and started getting more attention for his work. Silverstein’s most memorable work is The Giving Tree, Falling Up, The Missing Piece and Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back. His book The Giving Tree has been in print continuously since 1964 Shel’s third book Uncle Shelby’s Zoo, Don’t Bump the Glump! And Other Fantasies were his first poetry collections and were also the only books that were illustrated with full color. Light In The Attic was the first children’s book to make it onto the New York Times Bestseller List. The book stayed on the list for 182 weeks. Shel’s last book, Falling Up, was published before his death in 1999 “His books have helped young readers appreciate poetry and address various concerns about growing up.” Silverstein’s books have now been published in 30 different languages.

3. Shel’s books

4. List of Silverstein’s Books Where the Sidewalk Ends The Giving Tree Every Thing On It Falling Up A Light in the Attic Runny Rabbit: A Billy Sock A Giraffe and a Half Uncle Shelby’s ABZ The Missing Piece The Missing Piece Meets the Big O Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? Don’t Bump the Grump Different Dances

5. Quotes This quote is in the opening book of Where the Sidewalk Ends. “If you are a dreamer, come in, If you are a dreamer, a wisher a liar, A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer… If you’re a pretender, come sit by my fire, For we have some flax-golden tales to spin. Come in! Come in! I really enjoyed this quote by him, “I believe that if you don't want to do anything, then sit there and don't do it, but don't expect people to hand you a corn beef sandwich and wash your socks for you and unzip your fly for you.” Another good quote that suits Shel, “If you want to find out what a writer or a cartoonist really feels, look at his work. That's enough.” “Never explain what you do. It speaks for itself. You only muddle it by talking about it.”

6. Miscellaneous Shel Silverstein has won a Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album for Where the Sidewalk Ends. The album was filled with Silverstein reciting, singing and shouting the book. He was born in Chicago, Illinois. Jonny Cash’s song “A Boy Named Sue” was written by Silverstein. He was also nominated for a prestigious Academy Award for his music composition in the film “Postcards from the Edge.”