Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein is a well known poet, playwright, illustrator, screenwriter, and song writer. Silverstein is best known for his very popular children’s poetry in his books Falling Up, The Giving Tree, and A Light in the Attic. Sheldon Allen Silverstein was born in Chicago on September 25, 1930. Silverstein also learned to play guitar and write music. (http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/shel_silverstein/biography)

Shel began writing as a young boy in Chicago. Though Shel would have rather been chasing the girls and playing basketball, he had a talent for rhyming and putting words together to make lyrics. Silverstein came up with his own style of writing. Silverstein also served in the military in the 50’s. While in the military Silverstein was a cartoonist for a military paper. (http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/silverstein.htm)

Silverstein achieved fame when he wrote The Giving Tree in 1964. Silverstein believed that the book was suitable for both adults and children. The book was rejected, but Silverstein continued to try and get the book to sell. The book was thought not to sell, but it came back and became a best seller. (http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/6166/ss/ssbio.html)

I chose Silverstein as my hero because he has inspired me to be more creative. Silverstein has taught me many life lessons and his poetry has become my favorite. I have all of Shel Silverstein’s books and I will pass them to my children when they come. I hope Silverstein’s books remain as well known as they are now.