Shel silverstein author biography outline

Shel Silverstein was an iconic musician and author known for his children's books, especially 'The Giving Tree. Shel Silverstein was a multifaceted American artist celebrated for his contributions as a musician, composer, poet, and author. Born in Chicago on September 25, , he initially served in the U. Army during the Korean War, where he honed his skills as a cartoonist for the military publication Stars and Stripes.

In the subsequent years, Silverstein gained national recognition through his illustrations and writings for Playboy magazine, which became a significant platform for his imaginative storytelling and unique perspective. Among his most notable achievements is "The Giving Tree," a poignant and thought-provoking book that explores themes of selflessness and the complexities of human relationships.

Released in , this beloved children's classic sparked discussions about its underlying messages, touching on the unconditional love between a parent and child, the passage of time, and societal expectations. Shel Silverstein's unique blend of whimsy and poignant storytelling continues to captivate readers, ensuring his place in literary history.

Shel Silverstein was born on September 25, , in Chicago, Illinois. Growing up in a lively urban environment, he was exposed to various forms of art and culture that would later influence his creative endeavors. His love for storytelling and drawing emerged at an early age, igniting a passion that would shape his multifaceted career.

He attended the University of Illinois but left before completing his degree, choosing instead to enlist in the U. After his military service in Korea and Japan, Silverstein returned to the United States determined to pursue a career in the arts. He began his professional journey by illustrating for magazines like Look and Sports Illustrated, but it was at Playboy magazine where Silverstein truly found his voice.

His cartoons gained national recognition, marking the start of a prolific career that would encompass music, children's literature, and poetry. Alongside his burgeoning cartoon career, Silverstein began experimenting with writing and composing, laying the groundwork for the eclectic body of work he would eventually produce. Shel Silverstein's early career was marked by a diverse range of artistic pursuits that laid the foundation for his eventual success as a renowned author, poet, and musician.

After serving in the U. Theater [ edit ]. TV and film [ edit ]. Views on his own writing [ edit ]. Personal life [ edit ]. Death [ edit ]. Awards [ edit ]. Works [ edit ].

Shel silverstein author biography outline

Books [ edit ]. Albums [ edit ]. See also [ edit ]. References [ edit ]. Library of Congress. Retrieved May 9, Thomas Dunne Books imprint of St. Martin's Press , The New York Jewish Week. Retrieved December 15, A Boy Named Shel 1st ed. Thomas Dunne Books. ISBN Stars and Stripes. Retrieved June 15, February 24, Publishers Weekly.

Super Children's Books. Retrieved June 10, Archived from the original on March 10, Hook's VD and Medicine Shows". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 27, — via ShelSilverstein. Report from Practically Nowhere. New York: Curtis Publishing Company. University of Texas Press. Retrieved April 10, Archived from the original on July 21, — via YouTube.

Backbeat Books. Retrieved June 30, Olympia Records. Retrieved April 23, June 9, Retrieved February 27, Archived from the original on January 4, Shel Silverstien. Retrieved July 24, — via Google Books. Jackson, et al. Gale eBooks. Retrieved July 24, The New York Times. Retrieved November 18, Variety Media, LLC. The Theater Mirror.

Tehraan Times. Murder for Revenge. Archived from the original on March 4, In , Silverstein met Ursula Nordstrom, a book editor, and she convinced him to begin writing material for children, which he did on short notice. The next year, he wrote two: A Giraffe and a Half and The Giving Tree , the latter of which would go on to become Silverstein's most popular book.

Featuring a boy and a tree, the plot centers on both characters growing up and the boy having less and less time for the tree but more and more need for what the tree can give him. Eventually the tree allows itself to be chopped down to make lumber for a boat so the boy can go sailing. Years later, the boy returns as an old man, and the tree says, "I'm sorry, boy Come, boy, sit down and rest.

Hook, and "Yes, Mr. While Silverstein was celebrated in certain musical circles for his music, it was always his work as an author of children's books that set him apart, and he produced two of his most memorable in the s: Where the Sidewalk Ends his first collection of poetry; and The Missing Piece Together, the plays were billed under the title Oh, Hell!

Two One-Act Plays. He studied briefly at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and later found success as both songwriter and composer. The song won Silverstein a Grammy Award in Other popular songs by Silverstein included "One's on the Way," a hit for Loretta Lynn , "25 Minutes to Go," a song also sung by Cash about a man on death row, and "The Unicorn," which despite having nothing to do with Ireland nor Irish culture, became the signature piece for The Irish Rovers in , and is popular in Irish pubs all over the world to this day.

He wrote the lyrics and music for most of the Dr. He was nominated for an Oscar for his music for the film Postcards from the Edge. He also composed original music for several other films, and displayed a musical versatility in these projects, playing guitar , piano , saxophone , and trombone. Silverstein also had a popular following on Dr. Demento's radio show.

Silverstein was a longtime friend of American singer and songwriter Pat Dailey, with whom he collaborated on the Underwater Land album, posthumously released in It contains 17 children's songs written and produced by Silverstein and sung by Dailey. Silverstein contributed his artwork to the album and also appears along with Dailey on a few tracks.

Shel Silverstein's legacy is the voluminous library of books and records that will forever reach out to people of all ages. New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation.

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