A Light in the Attic is a book of poems by American poet, writer, and musician Shel Silverstein.

[1] It was first published by Harper & Row Junior Books in 1981 and was a bestseller for months after its publication,[2] but it has also been the subject of controversy regarding some of its content.

[3] In the back of the book, Silverstein credits author Charlotte Zolotow, Harper’s publicist Joan Robins,[4] Harper’s executive editor Robert Warren,[5] author James Skofield, private secretary Glenise Butcher,[6] and John Vitale of HarperCollins.

[9] According to an obituary published by The Washington Post, "To millions of children and adults, Mr. 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.

"[10] Attempts 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.