Shel Silverstein

Sheldon Allan “Shel” Silverstein (September 25, 1930 - May 9/10, 1999), was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children’s books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children’s books. Translated into 20 languages, his books have sold over 20 million copies.

Shel Silverstein Video Library

April 1, 1970: Shel Silverstein and Johnny cash performing “A Boy Named Sue”, a song written by Shel Silverstein. The second song is sung and written by Shel Silverstein and is titled “Daddy, what if.”

1973: A film of the short story “The Giving Tree” narrated by Shel Silverstein. The Giving Tree is a tale about a relationship between a young boy and a tree. The tree always provides the boy with what he wants: branches on which to swing, shade in which to sit and apples to eat. 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 an ultimate act of self-sacrifice, the tree lets the boy cut it 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 sadly says: "I'm sorry, boy... but I have nothing left to give you." But the boy replies: "I do not need much now, just a quiet place to sit and rest." The tree then says, "Well, an old tree stump is a good place for sitting and resting. Come, boy, sit down and rest." The boy obliges and the tree was very happy.

1978: Shel Silverstein sings “The Father Of A Boy Named Sue”, the tale from his hit song “A boy Named Sue” sung from the fathers perspective.

1974: A short clip of the poem named ‘Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too’ from Where the Sidewalk Ends, recited by Shel Silverstein.

1981: Shel Silverstein recites the poem ‘Backward Bill’ from A Light in the Attic, written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein.