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Shel Silverstein

Significant Events in Silverstein's Life




 * Date || Event ||
 * September 25, 1930 || Date of Birth ||
 * 1955 || First book, //Take Ten// published ||
 * 1956 || Hired as staff cartoonist for //Playboy// ||
 * 1965 || //The Giving Tree// published ||
 * 1969 || Wrote lyrics for and composed //A Boy Named Sue// ||
 * 1974 || //Where the Sidewalk Ends// published ||
 * 1976 || //The Missing Piece// published ||
 * 1981 || //A Light in the Attic// published ||
 * 1996 || //Falling Up// published ||
 * May 10, 1999 || Passed away from a heart attack ||

Well-Known Poems

Where the Sidewalk Ends A Light in the Attic Falling Up The Giving Tree A Boy Named Sue Runny Babbit The Missing Piece The Unicorn Tryin' on Clothes Danny O'Dare Boa Constrictor One Inch Tall The Meehoo with an Exactlywatt Bear In There Picture Puzzle Piece The Little Boy and the Old Man

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Silvers﻿tein's Style, Themes, etc.

Being unfamiliar with the work of other famous poets at the time, Shel Silverstein created his own style of poetry when writing as a child. This turned out to be a decision favorable for Shel since his style is now considered the most distinctive thing about his poetry. Shel Silverstein's poems are mostly read and appreciated by children because of the type of humor he uses in them. He has poems that are about chores, school, and other things that kids can relate to and he uses exaggeration to make it humorous for them. Another reason why children love Silverstein's poetry is his use of alliteration and rhyme. He uses very good rhyme schemes in his poems, and in one story he named a character Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout, which is a fantastic example of alliteration. When summarizing the types of themes that Silverstein commonly uses, you could simply say he focuses on Childhood Concerns. His poems are, of the majority, about expectations and responsibilities, selfishness and greed, fear, and self-acceptance. His poems revolve around the idea that most children grow up being expected to act a certain way and live up to responsibilities created by the authoritative figures in their lives. What is most admirable about his writing is that Shel decides to write his poetry so that the reader understands these expectations and responsibilities from the child's point of view. This is why children relate with and enjoy Shel Silverstein's poetry, and have made him one of the most influential poets of his time.

Discussion Question



1. ) Why do you feel Shel Silverstein mainly writes his poetry about children? 2.) Do you feel it involves when he began writing? 3.) Do you feel it puts the meaning of the poem across better?   4.) Do you think he would be as famous as he is if he didn't? Why? 5.) Do you enjoy his writing?