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
At Smarter.com, we aim to ensure we give you the most sound buying advice possible. With our 'Cumulative Product Rating' system, in order for a product to receive a rating score, it must have a minimum number of ratings to qualify.
This system is not intended to diminish the value of products with a low number of ratings and reviews, they're great, and hopefully very helpful, but if you want our advice, we want to make sure that the product you're thinking of buying has been rated and reviewed by enough shoppers like you to be a valuable indicator of product quality.
Additional Product Information
- ISBN: 9780060256654
- Brand: N/A
- Reviews: Write a Review
- Shop: Compare prices
597 Reviews
| From: Amazon Posted: May 02, 2008 Type: User Review |
Greatest Book!
This is one of the greatest children's books ever written. There should be a copy in every child's bookshelf. It makes a great gift for new parents.
|
 5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: May 01, 2008 Type: User Review |
I couldn't believe the 84 one star reviews. . .
I had to write a review because this is one of my favorite books of all time, and I was so shocked by the number of one star reviews. I think that the lesson of this story is to be more like the tree and less like the boy. This book demonstrates...
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Apr 30, 2008 Type: User Review |
one of the greatest books ever
this has to be on my all time favourites list. i tear up every time i read it. its a beautiful story about unconditional love, i'd say between a mother and a child. its great to see stories like this in today's society where what you 'really need...
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Mar 25, 2008 Type: User Review |
sad and lovely
I have always loved this book but I think it's kinda too sad for little kids. Though maybe it's just me. I'm kinda sappy. It's an unforgettable, simply written, powerful story.
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Mar 21, 2008 Type: User Review |
true meaning
To those who give this one star - you assume that all children will identify with the boy and replicate his actions as acceptable behavior. I know I have always identified with the tree. I personally think it was a children's book written with a...
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Mar 07, 2008 Type: User Review |
It's just not for me
I'm always surprised at the amount of people who tell me they love this book. I hear them say over and over "it teaches children appreciation". I beg to differ I found this book upsetting (I realize I'm a sensitive person by nature) but the book...
|
 1.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Mar 01, 2008 Type: User Review |
It's Never Too Soon
One of my "Top Ten" chidren's books. What a great book for teaching kids about appreciation at an early age! What does it mean to be truly thankful for a gift? The great lesson in this book is that you really can find joy through giving to others,...
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Feb 26, 2008 Type: User Review |
Classic Silverstein - Heartwarming Classic
A heartwarming tale of the lifetime relationship between a boy and a tree. Teach important lessons of relationships to people of all ages. This is a must-have. It still touches my heart every time I read it.
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Feb 16, 2008 Type: User Review |
growth
There is no doubt that this literary expressinon- in the form of a poem- provides us with a lesson that will remain in our mind and heart for the rest of our life. The poem itself is a metaphor of growth being the latter a blend of generosity and...
|
5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Feb 13, 2008 Type: User Review |
the giving tree T
this book is a classic, I bought it for my soon to be born grandaughter, remembering reading it to her father when he was young. After reading it again I think I will give it to my son and daughter-in-law, becuse when you are a parent you are...
|
 4.00/5 |
- Giving Trees
- Bring Trees to Your City. Use Your American Express® Card this Fall.
- www.amexnetwork.com/rootforyourcity
- GlobalGiving.com
- Find a cause you believe in. See the results. Get involved today
- www.GlobalGiving.com
Similar Products:
*Shipping costs are based on an estimate of the lowest shipping rate available within the contiguous US, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Only merchants with this product in stock are listed (Merchants with this product back ordered have been removed from this list).
Do you see a pricing error? Please let us know by filling out a simple form: Click here