Shel Silverstein 1932 - 10 May 1999 Updated: 12 March 2002 | Ugh! Shel Silverstein (born 1932 in Chicago) is responsible for many beloved, if some controversial, children's books. He is perhaps best known for his collections of children's poetry, Where The Sidewalk Ends and A Light In The Attic, books which have the distinction of incredibly long stays on the New York Times bestseller list. Silverstein also penned the children's classic The Giving Tree, which has provoked responses ranging from a ministers' praise for its example of Christian altruism to a feminists' complaints that it glorifies the exploitation of women. In addition to his work for children, Silverstein has served as a longtime Playboy cartoonist since 1956, has written several plays for adults, and has penned and recorded country and novelty songs such as "A Boy Named Sue" and "Sylvia's Mother". Shel Silverstein died on 10 May 1999 from a heart attack. Biography Books Plays Records Texts Any suggestion, addition, correction to this page is welcome - just send me an E-Mail. Thank you! Guestbook