1. Author Shel Silverstein, best known for his poetry, was a man of many talents. The Chicago native, who would have preferred a talent for baseball, found instead, a talent for drawing.

2. Cartoonist and Illustrator While serving in military in Japan Silverstein’s published his first cartoons in the “ Stars and Stripes,” and learned to play the guitar. While serving in military in Japan Silverstein’s published his first cartoons in the “ Stars and Stripes,” and learned to play the guitar.

3. Author “Lofcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back”, (1963), was the first in a series of successful children’s books, whimsically illustrated by the author, Shel Silverstein. “Lofcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back”, (1963), was the first in a series of successful children’s books, whimsically illustrated by the author, Shel Silverstein. In a long tradition of story tellers, Silverstein tells the story of a lion named Lofcadio, who was stalked, but then turns the tables on the hunter. After eating the hunter, he moves to the city to become a gentleman only to discovers he is losing himself. In a long tradition of story tellers, Silverstein tells the story of a lion named Lofcadio, who was stalked, but then turns the tables on the hunter. After eating the hunter, he moves to the city to become a gentleman only to discovers he is losing himself.

4. In 1964... “The Giving Tree”, “A Giraffe and a Half”, and “ Don’t Bump the Glump and Other Fantasies” followed. “The Giving Tree”, which has become a favorite of many adult and children was the last of the three to be published. “The Giving Tree”, “A Giraffe and a Half”, and “ Don’t Bump the Glump and Other Fantasies” followed. “The Giving Tree”, which has become a favorite of many adult and children was the last of the three to be published.

5. Musician Silverstein’s second collection, “Where The Sidewalk Ends”, appeared in 1974 and subsequently earned Silverstein a Grammy for the best children’s album in 1984.

6. A Light In The Attic,”(1981), “was the first children’s book on the New York Times Bestsellers list and set a record, (182 weeks). “was the first children’s book on the New York Times Bestsellers list and set a record, (182 weeks).

7. Song Writer and Producer “The Unicorn,” and “A Boy Named Sue,” recorded by Johnny Cash are a few of Silverstein’s best known songs. “The Unicorn,” and “A Boy Named Sue,” recorded by Johnny Cash are a few of Silverstein’s best known songs. Others include Albums like “Old Dogs,” which Silverstein performed and recorded with, friends Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bare, Jerry Reed and Mel Tillis.

8. Playwright and Screen Writer Silverstein also co-wrote movies and plays as well as wrote one act plays, but remains best know for his remarkable legacy of poetry. Silverstein also co-wrote movies and plays as well as wrote one act plays, but remains best know for his remarkable legacy of poetry.

9. Shel Silverstein... “Falling Up”, was published before Silverstein’s death in 1999. “Runny Babbit”, a collection of his poems and spoonerisms was published posthumously in March 2005. Silverstein’s books continue to be re-issued for generations of new readers. “Falling Up”, was published before Silverstein’s death in 1999. “Runny Babbit”, a collection of his poems and spoonerisms was published posthumously in March 2005. Silverstein’s books continue to be re-issued for generations of new readers. For more information on Shel Silverstein go to the poet’s website at shelsilverstein.com For more information on Shel Silverstein go to the poet’s website at shelsilverstein.com