Maxine Waters
United States Representative from California since 1991
American poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
Shel Silverstein was an acclaimed American writer and musician known for his children’s books like The Giving Tree and his hit song ‘A Boy Named Sue.’ He was a versatile artist who left behind a remarkable legacy in both literature and music.
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About the Shel Silverstein
Sheldon Allan Silversteinwas an American writer and musician. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Silverstein briefly attended university before being drafted into the United States Army. During his rise to prominence in the 1950s, his illustrations were published in various newspapers and magazines, including the adult-oriented Playboy. He also wrote a satirical, adult-oriented alphabet book, Uncle Shelby’s ABZ Book.
As a children’s author, some of his most acclaimed works include The Giving Tree, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and A Light in the Attic. His works have been translated into more than 47 languages and have sold more than 20 million copies. As a songwriter, Silverstein wrote the 1969 Johnny Cash track “A Boy Named Sue”, which peaked at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. His songs have been recorded and popularized by a wide range of other acts including Tompall Glaser, The Irish Rovers and Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show. He was the recipient of two Grammy Awards as well as nominations at the Golden Globe Awards and Academy Awards.
His book A Light in the Attic is dedicated to his daughter who died at age 11. Silverstein died at home in Key West, Florida, of a heart attack on May 10, 1999, at age 68.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shel Silverstein was an American writer and musician. He was best known for his acclaimed children’s books like The Giving Tree, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and A Light in the Attic, as well as his hit song ‘A Boy Named Sue’ recorded by Johnny Cash.
Some of Shel Silverstein’s most famous works include the children’s books The Giving Tree, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and A Light in the Attic. He also wrote the hit song ‘A Boy Named Sue’ for Johnny Cash, which became a top 10 hit.
Shel Silverstein’s books have been translated into more than 47 different languages and have sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
Shel Silverstein was the recipient of two Grammy Awards and received nominations at the Golden Globe Awards and Academy Awards for his work as a songwriter.
Shel Silverstein was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He passed away at the age of 68 in his home in Key West, Florida, on May 10, 1999, due to a heart attack.
Shel Silverstein’s book A Light in the Attic was dedicated to his daughter, who passed away at the young age of 11.
During the 1950s, Shel Silverstein’s illustrations were published in various newspapers and magazines, including the adult-oriented Playboy. He also wrote a satirical, adult-oriented alphabet book called Uncle Shelby’s ABZ Book before finding great success as a children’s author and songwriter.
14 Quotes by Shel Silverstein
- 1.
He has the obligation to society that any human being has. I don’t think a satirist has any greater obligation to society than a bricklayer or anybody else.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 2.
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.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 3.
Tell me I’m clever, Tell me I’m kind, Tell me I’m talented, Tell me I’m cute, Tell me I’m sensitive, Graceful and wise, Tell me I’m perfect – But tell me the truth.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 4.
You’d better get your laugh while you’re making your point, or you won’t be doing it very long.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 5.
Stand-up comics reflect less of a visual humor and more of a commentary.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 6.
I will not play tug o’ war. I’d rather play hug o’ war. Where everyone hugs instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles and rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 7.
If you’re behind the times, they won’t notice you. If you’re right in tune with them, you’re no better than they are, so they won’t care much for you. Be just a little ahead of them.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 8.
Imagine – four years you could have spent travelling around Europe meeting people, or going to the Far East of Africa or India, meeting people, exchanging ideas, reading all you wanted to anyway, and instead I wasted it at Roosevelt.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 9.
Never explain what you do. It speaks for itself. You only muddle it by talking about it.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 10.
To me, freedom entitles you to do something, not to not do something.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 11.
If the track is tough and the hill is rough, THINKING you can just ain’t enough!
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 12.
If you want to find out what a writer or a cartoonist really feels, look at his work. That’s enough.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 13.
I know a way to stay friends forever, There’s really nothing to it, I tell you what to do, And you do it.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)
- 14.
I myself do not believe in explaining anything.
Shel SilversteinAmerican poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)