She wrote many of her books while living there, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Yearling, which was adapted as the 1946 film of the same name, and her memoir, Cross Creek, which was adapted as the 1983 film of the same name.
Between 1923 and 1976 Shenton illustrated over 130 books including The Yearling, Tender Is the Night, Green Hills of Africa, Freedom River Florida 1845, and three volumes of the Rivers of America Series.
Some of his most recognizable works include The Yearling, outside the Denver Public Library (originally exhibited by The Public Art Fund at Doris Freedman Plaza, Central Park, New York, 1997), Sirshasana, hanging in the Grand Central Market, Grand Central Terminal in New York City, and F.I.S.H. at the San Antonio River Walk, in Texas.
Jockey John Lively rode their colt to a third-place finish in the Derby behind winner Bold Forbes who had been the yearling Adwell and Cashman did not buy at the auction as a result of the coin flip.