The One, the Only, Shel Silverstein
Greg Star
Mr. Jack Wendell
English II, A8
May 2, 2008
The One, The Only, Shel Silverstein According to one of Shel Silverstein’s most popular poetry books, Falling Up, in the poem “Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda” Silverstein writes, “All the Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas, layin ' in the sun, talkin ' 'bout the things they Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda done... but all those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas all ran away and hid from one little Did,” (Silverstein 65). Shel Silverstein was that “one little Did” and could never be a “Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda” because of all of his accomplishments. Though the average person might remember him as a poet, Silverstein also contributed through cartooning, songwriting, and screenwriting, all of which he held a passion for in his heart. His work was not only directed towards children, but also adults, impressing both by utilizing his immense creativity and word manipulation. Shel Silverstein’s distinct creativity and uniqueness is accredited to his individual writing style, his career as a poet and cartoonist, and career as a songwriter and screenwriter. But, people will remember Shel’s poetry more than anything, tickling the minds of many, derived from nobody but Shel Silverstein himself.
A Unique Style Ever since Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back, Silverstein’s first children’s book, was published in 1963 (Rogak 221), Silverstein has never failed to create laughter, and capture the hearts of his readers. But before Lafcadio, Silverstein had been creating even
as a child growing up in Chicago. “When I was a kid… I would much rather have been a good baseball player or a hit with the girls. But I couldn’t play ball, I couldn’t dance… So I started to draw and write. I was lucky that I didn’t have anyone to copy, be impressed by. I had developed my own style,” (http://www.shelsilverstein.com/play.asp). And it is because of his style that Shel Silverstein will forever be remembered. He was the first and only. Whether through writing or illustrating,
Mr. Jack Wendell
English II, A8
May 2, 2008
The One, The Only, Shel Silverstein According to one of Shel Silverstein’s most popular poetry books, Falling Up, in the poem “Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda” Silverstein writes, “All the Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas, layin ' in the sun, talkin ' 'bout the things they Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda done... but all those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas all ran away and hid from one little Did,” (Silverstein 65). Shel Silverstein was that “one little Did” and could never be a “Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda” because of all of his accomplishments. Though the average person might remember him as a poet, Silverstein also contributed through cartooning, songwriting, and screenwriting, all of which he held a passion for in his heart. His work was not only directed towards children, but also adults, impressing both by utilizing his immense creativity and word manipulation. Shel Silverstein’s distinct creativity and uniqueness is accredited to his individual writing style, his career as a poet and cartoonist, and career as a songwriter and screenwriter. But, people will remember Shel’s poetry more than anything, tickling the minds of many, derived from nobody but Shel Silverstein himself.
A Unique Style Ever since Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back, Silverstein’s first children’s book, was published in 1963 (Rogak 221), Silverstein has never failed to create laughter, and capture the hearts of his readers. But before Lafcadio, Silverstein had been creating even
as a child growing up in Chicago. “When I was a kid… I would much rather have been a good baseball player or a hit with the girls. But I couldn’t play ball, I couldn’t dance… So I started to draw and write. I was lucky that I didn’t have anyone to copy, be impressed by. I had developed my own style,” (http://www.shelsilverstein.com/play.asp). And it is because of his style that Shel Silverstein will forever be remembered. He was the first and only. Whether through writing or illustrating,
Cited: Rogak, Lisa. A Boy Named Shel: the Life and Times of Shel Silverstein. New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2007 "Shel Silverstein." Wikipedia. 19 Apr. 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shel_Silverstein> "Shel Silverstein Bio." Underwater Land. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www.underwaterland.com/shelbio.htm> "Shel Silverstein: Biography and Much More." Answers. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www.answers.com/topic/shel-silverstein?cat=entertainment> Silverstein, Shel. Falling Up. New York: Harper Collins, 1996.