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"Once there was a tree ... and she loved a little boy." So begins a story Of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.
Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk ... and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.
This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.
Amazon.com Review: To say that this particular apple tree is a "giving tree" is an understatement. In Shel Silverstein's popular tale of few words and simple line drawings, a tree starts out as a leafy playground, shade provider, and apple bearer for a rambunctious little boy. Making the boy happy makes the tree happy, but with time it becomes more challenging for the generous tree to meet his needs. When he asks for money, she suggests that he sell her apples. When he asks for a house, she offers her branches for lumber. When the boy is old, too old and sad to play in the tree, he asks the tree for a boat. She suggests that he cut her down to a stump so he can craft a boat out of her trunk. He unthinkingly does it. At this point in the story, the double-page spread shows a pathetic solitary stump, poignantly cut down to the heart the boy once carved into the tree as a child that said "M.E. + T." "And then the tree was happy... but not really." When there's nothing left of her, the boy returns again as an old man, needing a quiet place to sit and rest. The stump offers up her services, and he sits on it. "And the tree was happy." While the message of this book is unclear (Take and take and take? Give and give and give? Complete self-sacrifice is good? Complete self-sacrifice is infinitely sad?), Silverstein has perhaps deliberately left the book open to interpretation. (All ages) --Karin Snelson
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - A Sadly beautiful and lovely story
I grew up with the Giving Tree and it's always been a bittersweet apple kind of story. I think every child needs to learn his/her effects on others, even at a very young age. I disagree with the other parent about sheltering your children. This story is about every loved one, or anyone who has truly loved another unconditionally, and most importantly in this day and age, or about our mother earth, whom we should cherish for every bit she is giving to us while we destroy her. I'm not usually a "tree hugger," but this book brings it out in me. Children are our greatest assets. We envision so much as such a young age, and should realize the effects of our behaviour then. I remember collecting doodle bugs (pill bugs) in sandwich baggies in kindergarden and not understanding why they'd curl up and would not play. I eventually realized that they didn't want to play - they just wanted to survive. We hide this from our children, but perhaps all these books just teach our children how to learn and appreciate the world around us. I also would like to note that I read this book at my friends funeral, who passed away from lukemia, and every day of her life, she spent helping others. It is Giving Trees that make life wonderful. And the sooner we learn that, the better.
Rating: - Great childhood memory
This is one of the best classics. I loved this book about about the love between boy and nature. It teaches children about appreciation and kindness. Its such a beautifull book that even at my age... Currently 25, have in my books and cherish it dearly. A must have for any child. I assure you they will love it like all of us did.
Rating: - The Giving Tree
A child's tale of the morality of going green and what happens when we don't.
Rating: - children's book
Wonderful book to build self-esteem in young children. Used as a gift but have one also.
Rating: - Touching story - great lessons
This has been one of my favorite books since my daughter was just a little girl. It's a wonderful story about giving and loving, a lesson all of us could learn just a little better. My daughter gave me a copy at the 25th aniversary and now I'm giving my 4 year old grandson a copy of the 40th anniversary edition. How great that there is a CD with the book. My grandson likes to listen and read at the same time. I think this is one of Silverstein's best.
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