Shel Silverstein was an American poet, singer-songwriter, cartoonist, screenwriter, and author of children's books. He is best known for his books 'Where the Sidewalk Ends' and 'The Giving Tree'. Silverstein was also a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, having written songs for Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and other artists. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold over 20 million copies. Silverstein was a major influence on the world of children's literature and his legacy continues to live on.