12 / 9 / Shel Silverstein

	Few writers of the twentieth century have made nearly the same impact on the literary society than Sheldon Allan Silverstein. His writing encompasses a broad range of styles, from adult to children’s, comical to unusual. One of his most common styles was that of fantasy: actions and events that cannot logically happen. This style was evident in his works, the Loser, Thumb Face, Warning, Squishy Touch, and Skin Stealer. Through the description of these absurd circumstances, Silverstein was able to entertain readers of all ages.

Based on his argument using a piece of story from his past, the writer conceptually supported his explanatory point of views on how skills can be developed with a passion of understanding the writer’s intention. I believe that the writer of this article addressed fundamental thoughts that should be useful in the process of reading as a writer, and on how to become a better writer.

     The first of the authors he spoke of was Gertrude Stein. He portrayed her as a talkative, outgoing, and somewhat overbearing person. She was very critical about writing. She said that she really

American writer David Sedaris is a distinguished person. He has nine essay collections, most of which are best sellers. It all started with “SantaLand Diaries,” an essay that was the spark to his flaring fame. He is the second of six children and was born and raised in North Carolina but has been living in Europe for a long time with his partner Hugh Hamrick. His works receive critical acclaim and adoration from readers. His works were nominated to and won several awards as well. (Wikipedia, “David Sedaris”)

Eudora Welty’s sheltered, adolescent life, coupled with her parent’s emphasis on education and reading, helped to shape her as the writer she was by making her stylistic approaches daring and intelligent while keeping a southern tone and state of mind.

Shel Silverstein was born in Chicago, Illinois 1932 and died May 10, 1999 from a heart attack. Shel Silverstein was a well know and well liked author/poet. Silverstein noticed his talents when he was twelve years old. When most boys are playing sports and chasing girls, Shel was at home writing and drawing original pieces. His talents were well –developed by the time he served in the US Armed Forces during the 1950's. While in the military he was a cartoonist for the Pacific Edition of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes. After his time spent in the military he became a cartoonist for Playboy in 1956. Those works for Playboy were then published into collections named " A Playboy's Teevee Jeebies" and "More Playboy's Teevee Jeebies

“I would hope that people, no matter what age, would find something to identify with my books…,” Shel Silverstein. (Ward 13) Throughout Shel Silverstein’s books he writes things that seem like a simple poem, but when the poems are deciphered they reveal a much deeper meaning. A situation may seem like a silly story about magic, but in reality it is a situation that encourages people to reach their full potential and take all they can from life. This also alludes to the fact that individuals can change the world by simply being themselves and portraying a positive image about themselves to the world. Furthermore, Shel Silverstein’s books encourage people to be themselves and to not let others influence how they think of themselves. Through Silverstein’s various works he has encouraged all age groups to embrace their individuality and he has taught people various life lessons through a more understandable medium.

     It was then that he began to pursue a writing career. At the time he got his first typewriter, he was also introduced to the blues and the black rights movement, of which both had great influences on his writing. Also during that time, he dropped his birth father’s name. Though he was unable to succeed in poetry, he was able to transition himself into a successful playwright. After visiting a friend in St. Paul, Minnesota, he decided to stay. At the urging of his friend, he wrote his first play, Jitney, set in a gypsy-cab station, and another following that, Fullerton Street. Only afterwards was he able to concentrate solely on composing, eventually producing Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, his breakthrough product, which was based on a blues singer Gertrude “Ma” Rainey. Then he wrote Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, and Fences, which was based on his stepfather who could not gain a football scholarship because of his ethnicity.

As a child Toni Bambara’s parents were major influences in her pursuit of writing; they were very supportive of her and wanted her to pursue a future that made her happy. Bambara stated that she could remember visiting the Apollo Theater with her father, and listening to the music of the 1940s and 1950s. She and her mother would also listen to people speak from the Speaker’s Corner. Toni Bambara accredited her mother as being the reason she began writing. (www.fembio.org) (www.answers.com) (www.AALBC.com)

His big break as a children’s book writer came as a result of his wife. She was a producer of a television show and invited one of the show’s guests home for dinner on night. After dinner she and Chris Van Allsburg showed him some of his illustrations as part of a casual after-dinner conversation. He was immediately impressed and gave the number of Walter Lorraine, an editor with Houghton Mifflin Company, to him and asked him to call him. When he finally contacted Mr. Lorraine, the man was so impressed with his drawings that he convinced Chris Van Allsburg that he should venture into children’s book writing.

Can you imagine failing classes like reading and writing but still growing up to be a world class author. Well that’s Avi! Avi’s school struggles helped him in the long run. He grew up in a time period that greatly influenced him and clearly shows in some of his books. Avi focused on all different types of children’s books and originally made the stories for his son. All in All Avi’s life made him the great author he is recognized as today.

“There are no happy endings. Endings are the saddest part, so just give me a happy middle and a very happy start”(Every Thing On It). Shel Silverstein is a guy who creates many well thought out and likeable poems, stories within magazines and books, and songs. Within Silverstein’s writings of every variety, one can truly feel close to who he was. Silverstein uses unique and humorous storylines with lots of thought and character. Silverstein knows how to incorporate his own style to everything he does and tell a worthwhile story to those reading. One can truly learn from the wonderful life of Shel Silverstein.

While many will point to poets such as Robert Frost and Sylvia Plath when speaking intellectually about the work that was produced by their pens, one should not overlook the valuable contributions of Shel Silverstein. From his first publication, The Giving Tree, to his final work, Falling Up, Silverstein entertained generations of children and parents alike with his use of poetry. His work, specifically in 1981’s A Light in the Attic, has been used as the backbone for many educators’ introduction of poetry to students. Entries like “Hot Dog,” “Homework Machine,” “Superstitious,” “Messy Room,” and “The Sitter” work on many levels with multiple

Every great writer had their own influences, John Steinbeck was no exception. Steinbeck’s influences cam from family, friends, and his environment to write detailed descriptions to involve or influence the reader. Whenever someone reads one of John Steinbeck’s works they are in immersed in the scene he is describing, he makes you feel as if you are right there experiencing everything there first hand.

The famous american poet, Sheldon Allan Silverstein, however he went by Shel Silverstein was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 25, 1930. He lived in Illinois with his mother, father and, sister("Shel Silverstein" 2014 PO). Growing up he began to draw and write at a young age("Shel Silverstein" 2014 PO). As he got older he studied music and was established as a musician and composer. But around 1950 he became enlisted in the army("Shel Silverstein" 2014 BIO). He also became a cartoonist for Stars and Stripes, although he got national recognition for working for playboy magazine("Shel Silverstein" 2014 BIO). After