Silverstein was a master of whimsy and light satire, which he delivered in verse-sometimes downright goofy-that tapped a universal sense of the absurd.' Controversies Īttempts have been made to ban the book from some libraries in the United States, parents claiming that the poem 'How Not to Have to Dry the Dishes' encourages messiness and disobedience. According to an obituary published by The Washington Post, 'To millions of children and adults, Mr. Silverstein died from a heart attack on May 11, 1999, at the age of 68. It was the first children's book to break onto the Adult New York Times Best Sellers list where it remained for 181 weeks. In the fall of 2001, HarperCollins Children’s Books honored the 20th anniversary of the book with a special edition release that featured a separate CD of 11 poems performed by the beloved poet. Influence and legacy Ī Light in the Attic was praised by critics and audiences for years after its publication. It sold more than 575,000 copies in the first year. Reception Ī Light in the Attic was number two on the New York Times bestseller list soon after its publication and remained on the list for 50 consecutive weeks. The book was published in Harper’s Junior Books division in 1981, but was marketed towards adults as well. He also thanks Harper & Row editor Ursula Nordstrom. In the back of the book, Silverstein credits author Charlotte Zolotow, Harper’s publicist Joan Robins, Harper’s executive editor Robert Warren, author James Skofield, private secretary Glenise Butcher, and John Vitale of HarperCollins. It was a bestseller but it has faced controversy over the years since its publication. It was first published by Harper & Row Junior Books in 1981 and was a bestseller for months after its publication. The book consists of 135 poems accompanied by illustrations also created by Silverstein. A Light in the Attic is a book of poems by American poet, writer, and musician Shel Silverstein.

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