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The Giving Tree :: 0060256656
Description
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| 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 Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
Reviews
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Author: Guest
There are so many mixed reviews of this book. In my opinion, Shel Silverstein helps parents and teachers educate children in many different ways about many difficult topics. Yes, the book is sad, but it is not horrifying. What would you do if a relative, especially a dear one to the child, dies when the child is very young? Life has its own schedule and does not time its occurences around whether or not your children are old or young, ready for them or not ready for them. This book does a fabulous job of explaining that sometimes these things happen and that one can make the best of the time one has with a loved one. It opens up avenues to build in your own beliefs about life and death and relationship at a child's level and deeper. Some of you writing reviews on how 'horrible' the book is probably take your children to church, as well. Do you cover their ears during some of the sermons or lectures? Because they are horrifying? I recommend this book to anyone with a child, especially one dealing with grief because it is a book that explains the value of life and relationship until death--something that does not wait for you to deem the moment appropriate.
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Author: Guest
This is my first review, but I am motivated to share. I am working mom of two toddlers, adopted. I find I love kids' books as much as my kids, always looking, reading, buying...I have heard a lot about Shel S. and read this book a while back at the bookstore. I had expected to be buying it for my girls, but I found it HIGHLY DEPRESSING and not a book that I would read to them. While I expect they will learn that life has ugly moments, this book was pretty horrifying to me. I was shocked and couldn't get away from it quick enough. I glanced at it since then as I find it intriguing that anyone published it. While it has something to say, I don't believe it is something as lovely as unconditional love. Unconditional love to the point of destruction and sadness. YUCKY! & Sickening really. I don't see this as religious meaning either. As another reviewer stated, closer to what the Nazis would have liked. It is clear that Silverstein was talented...his drawings so simple and can be so charming, his ideas interesting. I tried to force myself to like his work....bought the "Cheap Rhinosaurus" book which is amusing. And I lot it a lot better cause there is no deep message, except use your imagination and have fun. While I have glanced at his books a few times, I will likely stay away!
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Author: Guest
My son is 3 years old and he loves this book. We read it over and over again. It teaches good morals, my 3 year old even cried at the end when 'the tree was sad', and we were able to teach about emotions.
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Author: Guest
The Giving Tree is as touching as a wedding. First, this story shows a story of friendship. All through his life, the boy is always a friend to the tree. Second, the book shows unselfishness. The tree gives everything except its stump to the boy. Last, The Giving Tree is a story of faithfulness. Even when the tree is only a stump, the boy still visits the tree. This book would be perfect for any young child making new friends.
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Author: Guest
Shel Silverstein creates a beautiful picture of unselfish love. I cannot read this to my children without crying! As parents, we, like the tree, give all we have and we are happy.
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