Why did Shel Silverstein write in only black and white?

Answer 1

they didn't have colored ink back when he started writing

Answer 2

Shel Silverstein's decision to primarily use black and white illustrations in his books was a conscious artistic choice. He believed that limiting his palette to black and white allowed readers to use their own imagination to fill in the missing colors, creating a more engaging and interactive reading experience. Additionally, the simplicity of black and white illustrations aligned with Silverstein's storytelling style, which often focused on universal themes and emotions that could resonate with people of all ages.