Shel Silverstein

Years from Now
Although I cannot see your face
As you flip these poems awhile,
Somewhere from some far-off place
I hear you laughing —and I smile.
Shel Silverstein

The dedication of Shel’s new book of poems published by Harper-Collins grabbed me. The simplicity and elegance of his line drawings makes drawing look so simple putting a pen to paper or a stylus to a tablet. What I found creative about looking at the Harper-Collins webpage was that it also included classroom activities. Activity guide was created by Sue Ornstein, a first-grade teacher in the Byram Hills School District in Armonk, New York.

Shel Silverstein is the author-artist of many beloved books of poetry and prose, including Where the Sidewalk Ends; A Light in the Attic; Falling Up;The Missing Piece; The Missing Piece Meets the Big O; Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back; A Giraffe and a Half; Don’t Bump the Glump; and Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook.

He was also a cartoonist, playwright, poet, performer, recording artist, and Grammy-winning, Oscar-nominated songwriter. You can learn more about Shel and his books by visiting www.shelsilverstein.com.

There is nothing more grande than a good laugh and using language and pictures to inspire one.