The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree
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
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- ISBN: 9780060256654
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| From: Amazon Posted: Jan 14, 2008 Type: User Review |
What is wrong with some of these reviewers?
The Giving Tree is an allegory either about parenthood or about God. Either way, it is a beautiful story. A little disturbing, you say? Naturally. Such is life. Life's hard out there, people! Get a helmet.
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 5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jan 10, 2008 Type: User Review |
Wonderful Story
This story is a wonderful story that can be interpreted in many different ways...love, friendship, selfish, old age, caring, and finally giving. This is a must have book for children ages 4 through 7. Take the time to interpret its many...
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jan 10, 2008 Type: User Review |
Timeless Classic
As a child I had a vivid imagination and the tree in my front yard was a dear imaginary friend to me. So when I first read this book it was so special to me, it was my favorite book. Reading it again as an adult brings back those warm memories....
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jan 06, 2008 Type: User Review |
Not for sensitive young children
My four year old son received this book for a Christmas present, and couldn't wait to read it. As the story progressed and the tree slowly got amputated, his face grew somber, and by the end of the book he began sobbing. It took ten minutes to...
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 2.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Dec 29, 2007 Type: User Review |
Fabulous Book, Classic Collector's Edition
who doesn't love the Giving Tree! Just wanted to note this is a collector's edition which comes in a hard case library sleeve. This is not intended for children. Note also the small size of the book itself. I thought it was a bit smaller than...
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5.00/5 |
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