3. Biography:
*Shel Silverstein
began writing when
he was twelve.
*He illustrated all of
his poetry books
himself.
*he also wrote plays
and became a
respected composer.
*September 25, 1930
– May 10, 1999
*His art was
influenced by the
famous Walt Disney
4. Where the Sidewalk Ends
Where the Sidewalk Ends
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
5.
6. His Many Talents
• Poet
• Singer/ Songwriter
• Musician
• Composer
• Cartoonist
• Screenwriter
• Author of children's books
7. His Childhood
• “"When I was a kid — 12, 14, around there — 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 to write. I was also lucky that I didn't have anybody to copy, be
impressed by. I had developed my own style; I was creating before I knew there was
a Thurber, a Benchley, a Price, and a Steinberg. I never saw their work till I was
around 30. By the time I got to where I was attracting girls, I was already into work,
and it was more important to me. Not that I wouldn't rather make love, but the work
has become a habit." — Jean F. Mercier. "Shel Silverstein", Publishers Weekly,
February 24, 1975).
• Because Shel Silverstein wasn’t like his friends, he found comfort in
writing and drawing. Eventually, his books became a hit with kids
like him, who would much rather read than play soccer.
8. FUN FACTS
• Shel Silverstein began • His books have sold over 20
drawing cartoons while million copies and been
serving in the Armed Forces translated into 20 different
in Japan and Korea in 1950. languages.
• It took 4 years to get one of • His poetry has won numerous
his most popular books, THE awards.
GIVING TREE, published because
of its sad ending and appeal
to readers of all ages making • Silverstein's narration of his
it difficult to categorize. poetry collection WHERE
THE SIDEWALK ENDS won a
Grammy Award for Best
• He wrote a number of highly Children's Album.
popular songs for performers like
Johnny Cash, Dr. Hook, and
Waylon Jennings.
