Did Shel Silverstein illustrate his Books?
Shel Silverstein is an American poet, musician, and author of numerous children’s books. He has sold over 20 million books in the U.S. alone and his popularity is growing, propelled along by the reprint of many of his classics, like “The Giving Tree”, or “Where The Sidewalk Ends”. But was this master of words an adept artist as well? Did Shel Silverstein illustrate his books?
The short answer seems to be yes. As per Muzines website, Silverstein drew all the characters and most of the settings as well. Silverstein had a recognizable art style: drawing clean black lines on white backgrounds or shades of grey.
Silverstein turned to art in the mid-50s and moved to the art form for several reasons. First, due to the increasing demand for paperback children’s books, publishers needed more illustrations from authors. If not, they wouldn’t write their books. It was then that Silverstein decided to learn how to become an illustrator.
In addition, Silverstein was a natural in the art medium. Due to his desire to express himself, his siblings had dubbed him a “born artist”. So, after taking some additional classes, he was raring to go. He was so enthusiastic about his art that he’d often forget to write! Drawing came to him so naturally, which was very different from the creative process in writing which often took a lot of effort.
One of the first books he illustrated himself was A Giraffe and a Half in 1950. This book was one of the first to gain massive success, propelled by his unobtrusive art. The following year, he attempted to dip his toes in the water of the publishing industry, with his first volume The Light in the Attic. As expected, this volume also sold well. And from there, the popularity of his books continued to grow.
The Popularity of Shel Silverstein Books
Shel Silverstein’s books have been selling worldwide for decades, gaining success even across different countries. Since the mid-80s, there have been editions of his books in Spanish, German, Chinese, and French. The books, in general, connect with people of every age group, from pre-K to grandparents.
What is worth noting is that people of all cultures and ages seem to appreciate his books equally. This is, in large part, due to Silverstein’s unique, child-friendly approach. Silverstein didn’t patronize his readers or assume they can’t understand advanced metaphors.
Silverstein gives all his readers the respect and understanding they deserve. He uses open-ended stories and dialogue to teach lessons without spoon-feeding them. It’s no wonder his books encourage critical thinking and curiosity.
Further backing these claims is the fact that Silverstein’s work has been adapted several times in motion pictures, theatrical productions, and the music industry. Most recently, he even crossed over into the world of television, inspiring the upcoming series The Bear and the Hare on Netflix.
Conclusion
Overall, it appears that not only was Shel Silverstein an adept wordsmith, but he was also a formidable artist. His beautiful illustrations, that are still recognizable today, have been admired by generations of readers. His success across both mediums have placed him firmly in the pantheon of beloved children’s authors and artists.
Recognition of Shel Silverstein’s Artwork
Shel Silverstein’s artwork was recognized with multiple awards. It is an important part of his success and popularity. One of the most prestigious awards he won was a Caldecott Honors Award in 1975 for The Giving Tree.
Another renowned accolade he got was the first Landers Award of Children’s Literature in 1979, which was established by the National Council of Jewish Women. The Giving Tree won again, and the committee particularly noted his “precision and wit.”
In 1986, Where the Sidewalk Ends was awarded the George C. Stone Recognition of Merit for the “innovative and creative works of literature for children.” More recently, in 2008, Silverstein’s reputation was reaffirmed with the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
Silverstein’s Influence on Visual Arts
Silverstein’s illustrations have a distinctive style, often with detailed and unique details, that captivated readers of all ages. His website shelsilverstein.com still offers the same inspiring look at his work, with timeless and intriguing artwork.
The simplicity but impactfulness of his artwork have influenced many authors and illustrators. A number of contemporary authors cite Silverstein amongst their biggest inspirations. For example, Jacques Prévert, a 20th century French poet and screenwriter, was heavily influenced by Silverstein’s style.
Silverstein originally wanted to be a cartoonist, and while he never became one, his name has been adapted in the visual arts. Just recently in 2018, the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in Los Angeles held an exhibition featuring work by Silverstein. The show, named after one of his famous books “The Giving Tree”, exhibited the very first illustration of this classic book.
Long-Lasting Appeal of Shel Silverstein’s Books
As previously mentioned, Silverstein’s books, particularly the classics, continues to enchant generations of readers. In a recent interview, his publisher and editor Jean Feiwel explains that Where the Sidewalk Ends was “timeless and universal.”
Feiwel believes that because of the words within the book, parents and grandparents who had read the book as children could easily connect with it again later in life when they read it to their children and grandchildren. The appeal comes from the fact that Where The Sidewalk Ends combines a sense of adventure with a sense of safety.
Silverstein’s books contain powerful messages such as sharing, understanding, and friendship. His work is contemporarily relevant, as children need to developed these concepts in learning and to contextualize them.
Still, it’s not only the children who develop a sense of understanding towards the world with Silverstein’s books. Adults also gain insights into the world of children, and the nuances of life.
The Importance of Silverstein’s Threads of Empathy
Many of Silverstein’s stories have a common thread of empathy running through them. Through his work, he expresses the importance of being kind, compassionate, and understanding towards one another. He illustrated stories where there is a clear understanding of the concept of give-and-take,
