Shel Silverstein, was born September 25, 1930 in Chicago and died sometime between the days of May 8th and 9th in the year 1999 of a heart attack in Key West..The first cartoons that he drew were for adult readers of the Pacific Stars and Stripes in the 1950’s during the time he was in Korea and Japan as a G.I. During this time he picked up playing the guitar and started writing songs, and this talent is something that would go on to produce songs for Dr. Hook and Johnny Cash.It was never in Shel Silverstein’s plans to become a children’s writer, which is a surprising fact since his books went on to become much beloved by children and adults alike. Shel Silverstein’s books are available around the world in excess of 30 languages. One of the most notable and best loved books by Shel Silverstein is The Giving Tree, which is still a best seller even 45 years after it was published.
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The Giving Tree is a tale about a relationship between a young boy and a tree in a forest. The tree always provides the boy with what he wants: branches on which to swing, shade in which to sit, apples to eat, branches with which to build a home. As the boy grows older he requires more and more of the tree. The tree loves the boy very much and gives him anything he asks for. In the ultimate act of self-sacrifice, the tree lets the boy cut her down so the boy can build a boat in which he can sail. The boy leaves the tree, now a stump. Many years later, the boy, now an old man, returns and the tree says, "I have nothing left to give you." The boy replies, " I do not need much now, just a quiet place to sit and rest." The tree then says, "Good! A tree stump is a great place to do just that! Come boy, sit down and be happy." The boy obliged and the tree was happy.