Shel Silverstein

(http://newspaper.li/shel-silverstein/)

The name Shel Silverstein, what does it remind you of? Your first day of  kindergarten?  Your first book you read alone?  Your favorite book growing up?  Well for me, that's what that one single name brings me back to.  Shel Silverstein has been in my life as long as I can remember, and he has continued to be my hero through all the different phases in my life.  He has done so many things in his life that have inspired me to go for what I want and never to give up, EVER.  Shel Silverstein will always be my hero for many reasons.

Guitar (goodreads.com)

On September 25^th, 1930 Shel Silverstein was born.  Growing up, Silverstein didn't "fit in" with the boys and girls.  At the age of 12 years, old he would've rather played sports with the rest of the kids, but didn't "fit in" so he started writing.  Not having any famous inspiration, or style to mimic, he started his own technique and style.  He came up with the idea of writing for both young people and elder people, making it able to be read by both young and elder. He wrote throughout his childhood, instead of playing the "regular" games kids played.

Self pic of him (thefamouspeople.com)

At the age of twenty, he joined the armed forces.  He served in the Korean War, and while serving for his country he worked as cartoonist for "The Pacific Stars and Stripes" a U.S. based publication.  While writing for this company, he incorporated poems in some of the cartoons.  After serving his time, he became a part of the staff at "Playboy" as a cartoonist.   Most of these cartoons incorporated one of Silverstein's  poems.  That was in 1956.  Seven years, later a man named Ursula Nordstom, encouraged Shel Silverstein to become a children's book writer.  No later than a year after one of his best sellers came out called "The Giving Tree".  This book was given the New York Times Outstanding Book Award, but just months before, the very same book was rejected by an editor, saying it was too much of a mix of a children's and adult's book.  That it wasn't made out to be for a child.  Shel showed him wrong.  

In Silverstein's years of writing children's books he wrote so many of them.  I honestly think that the best one is "The Giving Tree".  But he wrote so many great books its really hard to get it down to one.  There are so many outstanding books by Shel Silverstein!  Such as "Runny Babbit", "Everything On It", "Falling Up", "Lafcadio The Lion Who Shot Back", "Who Wants A Cheap Rhinoceros", "A Griaffe And A Half", and "A Light In The Attic".  All of these books are quite amazing.  All of his books have somewhat inspired me. He has inspired me to write my own short stories and write heartfelt poems.   All of his books can be read by anyone of any age.  I can honestly say that I would recommend any of his books to anyone.  I feel as though his books are not just for children they have a universal feel to them.  But all of this came to a stop on May 10^th, 1999.  Shel passed away along with his great story telling, wonderful imagination, and talent for story writing.

Gravesite (findagrave.com)

Shel Silverstein will always be my hero, no matter what. Some may ask why?  I grew up listening and hearing about his success.  He will always be my hero! I say this because he showed me when you don't have friends, you still have something that may become your future.  Also, most of all, that being different isn't bad, its what we are bound to be, if we want to excel in life. I have learned so much and to this day I still love reading his books.  I hope to become a writer as good, strong, and creative as Shel Silverstein.