Shel Silverstein's September book revealed

A new collection of never-before-seen poems and drawings by Shel Silverstein will be released in September. The book is titled "Every Thing on It," and this week publisher HarperCollins Children's Books released the image of the cover, at left.

The poems and drawings in the book were selected by family members from his archives -- Silverstein died in 1999 -- and care has been taken to echo his best-known works.

Silverstein's books of poetry for children -- "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and "A Light in the Attic" -- were both bestsellers. He was also the author of the bestselling children's picture book, "The Giving Tree." 

Silverstein also wrote for adults, contributing cartoons to Playboy, writing plays and penning the Grammy-winning song "A Boy Named Sue," made famous by Johnny Cash.

There was both silliness and irreverence to Silverstein's work, and this adult reader is delighted that there will soon be more of his  children's poems published. But I'm worried that I might spill something on "Every Thing on It" -- when I eat, I still tend to get spaghetti spaghetti all over the place.

-- Carolyn Kellogg

Comments

[jacque]

I love Shel, was quite surprised one I saw his adult book "Different Dances". His stories are told in the pictures the words just an after thought. I look forward to his new book, and probably flipping the old ones again.

[Pytlozvejk]

The problem with trying to describe Shel Silverstein is that his life was just so ... well, indescribable. This article mentions that he wrote "A Boy Named Sue". Yes, he did, and he also wrote "Ballad of Lucy Jordan", "The Cover of the Rolling Stone", "Sylvia's Mother" and "I Got Stoned and I Missed It". And he lived at the Playboy Mansion for a few years. He was just an amazing dude, they broke the mould when they made him.

[Sleepless In Victorville]

I was a thirty year old renegade when my sister wigged out and fell apart. This turn of events left Uncko Mike with three small children 2,3,and 5 years of age. They were also renegades as neglected children tend to be that way.

I found the bridge to their hearts was to sit them down after dinner and read. The soothing rhythm of Mr. Silverstein's poetry and the drawings which accompanied them kept them safely next to me. I don't know how many times I read "Sarah Cynthia Silvia Stout Who Would Not Take the Garbage Out" Ditto Where The Sidewalk Ends."

It was a nightly event for 18 months. Aforementioned sister pulled it together and took back her kids.

It is thirty years ago and they still remember it..