Shel Silverstein was an American writer, cartoonist, songwriter, and musician. Born in 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, Silverstein briefly attended college before being drafted into the United States Army. During the 1950s, his illustrations were published in various newspapers and magazines, including the adult-oriented Playboy. Silverstein also wrote a satirical, adult-oriented alphabet book called Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book. Over the course of his career, he became known for his whimsical and thought-provoking works for both children and adults, including the classic children's poetry collections Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic.