Silverstein, Shel

Silverstein, Shel

▪ American cartoonist and author
in full  Shelby Silverstein  
born September 25, 1932, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
died May 10, 1999, Key West, Florida
 American cartoonist, children's author, poet, songwriter, and playwright best known for his light verse and quirky cartoons.

      In the 1950s Silverstein drew for the military magazine Stars and Stripes while serving in Japan and Korea, and he also contributed to Playboy. He created the adult book of drawings Now Here's My Plan: A Book of Futilities (1960) before turning to works for children (children's literature). His first efforts, written under the name Uncle Shelby, included Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book: A Primer for Tender Young Minds (1961) and Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros (1964). Among his memorable characters were the protagonist in Uncle Shelby's Story of Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back (1963); the boy-man and tree in The Giving Tree (1964), his most famous prose work; and the partial circle in The Missing Piece (1976). Silverstein's last illustrated collection, Falling Up, was published in 1996.

      Silverstein, who was often compared to Dr. Seuss (Geisel, Theodor Seuss), used such locales as the land of Listentoemholler and the castle Now. His first major poetry collection, Where the Sidewalk Ends (1974), featured the popular title verse:

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

      His pictures more than complemented his words. Accompanying “The Edge of the World” is the drawing of a small girl peering over the edge of a ledge so thin that a fire hydrant, a dog, a signpost, and a worm protrude halfway through. The cover of A Light in the Attic (1981) shows a boy with a windowed attic forming the top of his head. The words of another poem form the neck of a giraffe.

      Silverstein often eschewed happy endings because children, he said, might otherwise wonder why they themselves were not comparably happy. He was credited for helping young readers develop an appreciation of poetry, and his serious verse reveals an understanding of common childhood anxieties and wishes. Silverstein also wrote one-act plays, sometimes working with David Mamet (Mamet, David), and songs.

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  • Silverstein, Shel(by) — born Sept. 25, 1932, Chicago, Ill., U.S. died May 10, 1999, Key West, Fla. U.S. cartoonist, children s author, poet, songwriter, and playwright. Often compared to Dr. Seuss (see Theodor Geisel), Silverstein is best known for his children s… …   Universalium

  • Silverstein, Shel(by) — (25 sep. 1932, Chicago, Ill., EE.UU.–10 may. 1999, Key West, Fla.). Caricaturista, escritor infantil, poeta, compositor de canciones y dramaturgo estadounidense. Suele comparársele con Dr. Seuss (ver Theodor Geisel), y es sobre todo conocido por… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Shel Silverstein — Infobox Writer name = Shel Silverstein caption = birthdate = birth date|1930|9|25|mf=y birthplace = Chicago, Illinois deathdate = death date and age|1999|5|10|1930|9|25 deathplace = Key West, Florida occupation = Author Short story writer Poet… …   Wikipedia

  • Shel Silverstein — Este artículo o sección necesita ser wikificado con un formato acorde a las convenciones de estilo. Por favor, edítalo para que las cumpla. Mientras tanto, no elimines este aviso puesto el 19 de febrero de 2011. También puedes ayudar wikificando… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Silverstein (band) — Silverstein Silverstein at the Gran Complejo, Los Olivos, Peru in 2009. Background information Origin Burlington, Ontario, Canada …   Wikipedia

  • Shel Silverstein — Shel Silverstein, né le 25 septembre 1930 à Chicago, Illinois (États Unis), décédé le 10 mai 1999 à Key West (Floride), est un auteur de livres pour enfants, un compositeur, scénariste, acteur et réalisateur américain. Sommaire 1 Biographie 2… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Silverstein (surname) — Silverstein is a surname, and may refer to:*Abe Silverstein (1908–2001), American NASA aerospace engineer *Charles Silverstein (contemporary), American writer and magazine editor *Eva Silverstein (contemporary), American physicist and string… …   Wikipedia

  • Silverstein — Shane Told, en un concierto de la banda en Milwaukee, USA; el 11 de octubre del 2008 Datos generales Origen …   Wikipedia Español

  • Silverstein (Begriffsklärung) — Silverstein bezeichnet eine kanadische Post Hardcore Band, Silverstein das New Yorker Immobilienunternehmen Silverstein Properties den Familiennamen folgender Personen: Charles Silverstein (* ?), US amerikanischer Psychologe, Psychotherapeut …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Silverstein — may refer to:*Joseph Silverstein, violinist, conductor. *Shel Silverstein, author, poet. *Silverstein (band), Canadian post hardcore band named after the poet.For individuals with the surname Silverstein, see Silverstein (surname).ee… …   Wikipedia

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