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May 12, 2017 by Travis Jonker

A Conversation with Shel Silverstein

May 12, 2017 by Travis Jonker   10 comments

Shel Brood

Hey, Shel! I know you’re busy brooding and now might not be the best time to talk, but I have something I want to tell you.

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Shel Brood

Come on, Shel! Have a seat on the deck and let’s chat. You love the deck!

Shel Deck

Thanks, Shel. Feel free to grab a chair, by the way.

Let’s talk.

Now, the first thing I want you to know is that I think you’re a great writer.

Shel Smile

I knew that would make you smile!

Shel Smile

Wait, what are you looking at?

You seem distracted, Shel. I’m gonna need you to listen.

Shel Listen

That’s better. As I was saying, you’re a great writer.

Now I hate to say “but”, but . . . it’s about your author photos.

Shel Skeptical

Who’s idea were they?

FullSizeRender_2

Don’t look at me like that.

I’m asking because I just wanted to tell you that your author photos are . . .

Shel Brood

NO!!! Wait! Don’t go into brooding mode!!! You don’t even know what I’m going to say! Come back to the deck and have a seat so we can talk!

Shel Brood

Please?

Shel Deck

Thank you, Shel. The chair offer still stands, by the way.

Okay – here’s what I want to tell you about your author photos.

I love them.

Shel Skeptical

What’s with the skeptical look? I’m serious!

Shel Skeptical 2

Seriously! They’re amazing!

Also, where’d you get that shirt?

Shel Brood

Alright – that was pushing it. Catch you later, Shel.

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About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fuse #8 says

    May 12, 2017 at 10:03 am

    This.
    Thank you, sir.
    Thank you.

    • Travis Jonker says

      May 14, 2017 at 4:31 pm

      Ha! My pleasure!

  2. Sondy says

    May 12, 2017 at 10:33 am

    Oh, that made me laugh so hard, I have to share.

  3. Jenifer Ross says

    May 12, 2017 at 11:38 am

    ????????Love this!

    • Jenifer Ross says

      May 12, 2017 at 11:40 am

      Those ? Were hearts on my end – sorry!

  4. Carter Higgins says

    May 12, 2017 at 12:14 pm

    Travis. Amazing.

    • Travis Jonker says

      May 14, 2017 at 4:30 pm

      Thanks!

  5. Anna Sedenka says

    May 13, 2017 at 8:53 am

    I absolutely LOVE this post!!!

    • Travis Jonker says

      May 14, 2017 at 4:31 pm

      Thanks for reading!

  6. Andy Leinbach says

    May 16, 2017 at 9:44 pm

    I’m super amused by this; I had always had similar thoughts looking at those back covers…Thx!

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