Born in Chicago, Illinois in the fall of 1930, Shel Silverstein is remembered as one of the most prominent voices in children’s literature and poetry in the 20th century. His career, however, spanned multiple genres, including cartoons, plays, and music. He was the recipient of two Grammy awards and was among the nominees for the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Awards. His books The Giving Tree, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and A Light in the Attic became undisputable staples in children’s literature and secured his place as one of the foremost children’s authors of his time.

First edition of Shel Silverstein’s Lafcadio, the Lion who Shot Back

Shel Silverstein’s first children’s book, Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back, is a whimsical tale of self-discovery and marshmallows. Is a famous, successful, and admired lion a happy lion? Or is he a lion at all? Written and drawn with wit and gusto, Shel Silverstein’s modern fable speaks not only to children but to us all. First published in 1963, this book had rave reviews from the New York Times, Time magazine, and Publishers Weekly, as well as a starred review from Kirkus.

First edition of The Giving Tree signed by the author.

One of the most widely interpreted and best-selling children’s books of all time, The Giving Tree has sold over ten million copies since its first appearance in 1964. The book has been described as “one of the most divisive books in children’s literature” for the various interpretations inspired by the relationship between the selfless female giving tree and the human boy who benefits from her gifts as he grows through adulthood into old age.

Shel Silverstein’s original manuscript of his most famous work, The Giving Tree

Throughout the picture book, the boy benefits at all stages of life from the tree’s gifts with little regard for the tree’s well-being in return. This relationship has been interpreted as a representation of the relationship between man and nature, mother and child, and as the “Christian ideal of unconditional love” (Leonard, 2005). Silverstein’s original manuscript of The Giving Tree consisted of 38 pasteboard pages with Silverstein’s original ink drawings on paper adhered to each page and Silverstein’s original handwritten text.

Rare first edition of Shel Silverstein’s A Giraffe and a Half

Also published in 1964, A Giraffe and a Half is a collection of delightfully zany illustrations and rhymes about a boy and his giraffe who find themselves accumulating a series of ridiculous things. The book begins with the narrator imagining what could occur if one “had a giraffe and he stretched another half”.

First edition of Where the Sidewalk Ends; inscribed by Shel Silverstein with an original poem.

Considered one of the best collections of poetry even beyond the boundaries of the children’s genre, Where the Sidewalk Ends is perhaps Silverstein’s best-known work today. Published by Harper and Row in 1974, it contains a brilliant kaleidoscope of poems addressing the most universal of children’s concerns and thoughts about life. “The poems, ranging from serious to silly, from philosophical to ridiculous, allow the reader or listener— the rhyme and rhythm of these nonsensical poems make them perfect for reading aloud— to discover Silverstein’s greatest gift: his ability to understand the fears and wishes and silliness of children” (Silvey, 602).

First edition of The Missing Piece; signed by Shel Silverstein

Two years after Where the Sidewalk Ends came The Missing Piece, the story of a circular creature missing a piece that he sets out to find. Upon finding the perfect piece to complete his circular shape, he realizes that he was happier while searching for it and sets it aside, content to be incomplete and in an eternal search. A perfect example of Silverstein’s signature storytelling style that gets right at the heart of the human condition, both young and old, The Missing Piece was an instant classic.

First edition of The Missing Piece Meets the Big O; boldly signed by Shel Silverstein on the front free endpaper.

On the heels of The Missing Piece came a sequel, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O. Told from the perspective of the missing piece itself, it tells the story of a misfit who has spent his life searching for the perfect companion only to find that the task is not that easy. Upon meeting the Big O, he is given the encouragement to fulfill his own dreams. Once again, we see Silverstein’s childlike simplicity in tandem with his profound insight.

Silverstein was as successful in the music industry as he was as an author. His song “A Boy Named Sue,” sung by Johnny Cash, peaked at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and was the recipient of the 1970 Grammy Award. He was also nominated for both a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for his song “I’m Checkin’ Out” from the film Postcards from the Edge.

Silverstein’s own personal life was not without its fair share of tragedy. His daughter, Shoshanna, passed away at the tragically young age of eleven from a brain aneurysm. His book A Light in the Attic is dedicated to her memory. Silverstein himself passed away in 1999 at the age of 68 of a heart attack. His works–particularly his children’s poetry–far outlived him, becoming mainstays in homes and classrooms all over the world.

Browse our full collection of Silverstein’s works here.