Shel Silverstein has been making readers of all ages laugh and think for many years. He was born in Chicago in 1932. When he was young, he wanted to be a baseball player and a hit with the girls, but wasn't good at dancing or sport so decided to draw and write instead. He became the author of many beloved books for children, including The Giving Tree, A Giraffe and a Half, Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic and Falling Up. Shel's books are now published in more than thirty languages. He has also been a musician, singer, Grammy-winning songwriter, cartoonist and screenwriter.