Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein (1930 - 1999) was an American author, songwriter, cartoonist, illustrator, and poet. Among his most well known children's books are The Missing Piece, A Light In The Attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and The Giving Tree.

While not a singer, Silverstein was an Academy Award nominated songwriter for Postcards from the Edge (with Meryl Streep). Silverstein wrote many hits for other artists including "Boy Named Sue" for Johnny Cash, "Cover of the Rolling Stone" for Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, and "One's on the Way" for Loretta Lynn, which she preformed on episode 308 of The Muppet Show.

Two other of Silverstein's songs were also performed on the show. "You're Always Welcome at Our House" and "Put Another Log on the Fire".

Silverstein also contributed stories to Free to Be... You & Me, the precursor to Free to Be... a Family.