Shel Silverstein

Shel; Himself (http://www.nndb.com/)

Shel Silverstein was an amazing man. In his honor, I researched him in “Biography Today”. His life was definitely an adventurous ride! He made a great impact to the world of poetry. He is a great inspiration to so many young writers. His hard work and long hours at the desk paid off.

No one expected Shel to have such a famous life! Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1932 to parents Helen and Nathan Silverstein, Shel began his journey. He had a sister named Peggy. Later in life, he married Susan Hastings. It ended in divorce, and five years after his marriage Susan died. It is believed he had a child, Shoshanna, who was his daughter born in 1970. There is word of a son, but the notoriously private Shel isn’t a fan of interviews, so nothing has been confirmed.

Education is the foundation of success. As a teen, Shel attended Roosevelt High School. As a boy, he wanted to be a professional baseball player. With the lack of athletic ability, he turned to drawing and writing. Although he liked women, he was not very popular with the girls. With little athletic talent he hoped the girls would take notice of his artistic ability. After high school Shel attended the University of Illinois, to study art. Due to poor grades, he was expelled after one year.

The Giving Tree; One of Shel's Books. (http://www.goodreads.com/)

Shel’s life was definitely an adventure! Shel spent his time in the Army working as a cartoonist and a reporter for the Pacific edition of the Stars and Stripes publication. Returning home to Chicago after serving his term in the Army, Shel became a hot dog vendor at Comiskey Park, while doing freelance cartooning work. About a year later, Shel met Hugh Hefner and got a job cartooning for a magazine. He traveled all over the world and reported stories. After a car accident shattered his leg, Shel had to stop traveling. Instead, he spent time on his cartoons and began writing music. His first and one of his most popular books, Where the Sidewalk Ends, was a great highlight in his career. He has written many other poems/books, such as The Giving Tree and Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?

Shel Silverstein really changed the poetry world. Breaking new ground in children poetry is quite a feat! He did this several times. He has written many poems and books. He is perhaps best known as a writer of poetry for children. Shel had an extravagant life. Sadly, he passed away on May 10th, 1999 from a heart attack. He rocked the children’s poetry world, and without him, it would not be the same today.