Shel Silverstein, author of such acclaimed children's books as "A Light in the Attic" and "Where the Sidewalk Ends," was found dead in his home early Monday. He was 66.

Mr. Silverstein was born in Chicago and began his career as a writer and cartoonist for Playboy in 1952. He later served in the U.S. military in Japan and Korea, where he was a cartoonist for the Pacific Stars and Stripes. But he was best known for his light and irreverant children's poetry -- packed with colorful characters like walruses with braces and camels in brassieres -- and humorous illustrations.

Mr. Silverstein won numerous awards for his work, including the Michigan Young Readers Award for "Where the Sidewalk Ends" (1981). His other books include "The Giving Tree" (1964), "Falling Up" (1981), "A Light in the Attic" (1981), "The Missing Piece" (1982) and "The Missing Piece Meets the Big O" (1982).

He was also was a celebrated lyricist, publishing numerous songs including Johnny Cash's "A Boy named Sue," Loretta Lynn's "One's on the Way" and the folk songs "Unicorn" and "25 Minutes to Go."

Text from Salon Magazine.

rich r