All about Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein was a famous writer, poet, and artist who created many wonderful books for children. He was born on September 25, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois. When he was young, Shel loved to draw and write funny poems. He started his career by drawing cartoons for newspapers and magazines.

Shel became really famous when he began writing books for children. One of his most popular books is "The Giving Tree," a touching story about a tree that loves a little boy. Another favorite is "Where the Sidewalk Ends," a book full of silly and imaginative poems and drawings.

Besides writing and drawing, Shel also loved music. He wrote songs for many famous singers and even recorded his own albums. His creativity didn't stop there; he also wrote plays and stories for adults.

Shel Silverstein's work is loved by many people because it makes them laugh and think. His unique style, with simple drawings and playful words, continues to inspire children and adults alike. Shel passed away on May 10, 1999, but his books and poems are still read and enjoyed by people all over the world.

1. Where was Shel Silverstein born?
2. Name two of Shel Silverstein's most popular books for children.
3. What other talents did Shel Silverstein have besides writing and drawing?
4. Why do you think Shel's work is loved by many people?
5. Imagine you are writing a book like Shel Silverstein. What kind of story or poems would you write about?

Symbols and Traditions

Hi everyone! My name is Sam, and I am 8 years old. Today, I am super excited to share my visit to Chicago with you. Do you know who Shel Silverstein is? He is a famous author and poet who wrote books like "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and "The Giving Tree." I love his books because they have fun poems and cool drawings.

In Chicago, I went to a place called Navy Pier. It's a big pier with lots of fun things to do. But the best part was visiting the Chicago Children's Museum there. They had a special exhibit all about Shel Silverstein! There were big pictures from his books, and I even got to listen to some of his poems being read out loud. It felt like I was inside one of his stories!

After the museum, we walked around Navy Pier. I saw big boats, a giant Ferris wheel, and lots of yummy food stands. Chicago is such a fun city, and learning more about Shel Silverstein made it even better. If you ever go to Chicago, you should definitely visit Navy Pier and the Children's Museum. You'll feel like you're in a magical place!

1. Who is Shel Silverstein and what is he famous for?
2. What is the name of the place in Chicago that Sam visited?
3. How did Sam feel about the special exhibit on Shel Silverstein at the Chicago Children's Museum?
4. What are some things Sam saw at Navy Pier besides the museum?
5. If you visited the Chicago Children's Museum, what would you like to see or learn about and why?

Profile of Shel Silverstein

A Timeline of Shel Silverstein to another Festival

After learning all about Shel Silverstein, your job is to create a timeline of their life. You should add all the important events in their life but you can be inventive and add some interesting things that people might like to read about. You can make it as simply as you like with pen and paper or you can be very inventive and create a 3D diorama or hanging banner. The sky's the limit - go for it!

Slideshow - Shel Silverstein
A full set of teaching plans for Shel Silversteinteaching.