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Summary: A children's story for all ages.
Review: This book is among my favorites from my personal collection of children's books. The tree is always there, generous and supportive for the child. It makes me want to be the tree for my family. (If anyone out there wants to be the tree for me I'm taking applications.) The only reason I don't read The Giving Tree more often is that I can't without choking up. The story has all kinds of lessons for everyone. Especially (I think) about not forgetting to thank those who support all of us, sometimes in ways we cannot see
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Summary: A well of generousity from Silverstein and the tree.
Review: I have loved this book growning up, and continue to be touched by the incredible
generosity shown by the tree to the boy. This book is classic Silverstein, and should
reside in every library - regardless of age. It is simply a classic, and it still makes
me cry.
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Summary: Wonderful
Review: I love this book!! I have read it a million times over the years and I think its is absolutely wonderful. Everyone with children should have a copy of this book in their home!!
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Summary: The spirit of giving with nothing expected in return
Review: This is my favorite book of all time. In fact, I have designed the nursery for my newborn around this book, with the main focus of the room being a mural showcasing the cover. I believe the book shows that giving without expecting anything in return can be fufilling. The last line in the book states this, "and the tree was happy", what better lesson for a parent to teach their child. Sure you can look at the dark side, and focus on the selfishness of the little boy, but I choose not to. Shel Silverstein purposely left the meaning up to the reader for interpretation.
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Summary: The Giving Tree
Review: I was first introduced to this book when I was a 2nd grader, I don't really remember much of it, I don't think a 2nd grader has the capability to understand the powerful message brought forth by this book, and if they could, I don't think they can relate to the boy... yet. I re-read this book when I was 18 at a book store, I almost cried, it is the saddest book I have ever read. It is also my favorite. This book makes you want to go give your mother a big hug.
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Summary: The Giving Tree
Review: I just bought this book for my 3 year old and returned it without reading it to her. If you think this is a book about a boy and a tree, which on the most superficial level it is, then it is a story about a selfish, ungrateful exploitative boy and the havoc he can wreak on the environment. If you think for even a few more seconds about this book, you will probably be tempted to think allegorically (after all, were Aesop's Fables REALLY about tortoises and hares?) in which case it is either a story about a hugely sacrificing mother and her rotten, exploitative son who finishes the tale by sitting on her (for which she is grateful) or it is a cautionary tale for people considering entering an abusive relationship.
The inside cover says it is about unconditional love (which it is) and about learning to receive love (which it isn't). I read it to both my husband and my mother (both regular not-politically correct people) and they were both horrified that this is marketed as a story for kids. It is a powerful book, but it is not for kids.
I agree that the author picture is frightening, although if the book were worth keeping I wouldn't have let that stop me.
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Summary: What does this book REALLY say to children?
Review: I agree with the reviewer who says we need to think more about this book and the message it sends. Not only does it tell children they have to give up too much of themselves in order to please others, but the tree in the book is a "she" who gives everything of herself to the boy/man, AND IS HAPPY ABOUT IT! Yikes!
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Summary: Wonderful Classic for Anyone to Learn from
Review: This book is about giving. In today's society books like this are needed to remind us about the importance of sharing and being on the giving end of things.
This book is great for a parent to read to their children. I agree with the one reviewer who says that the picture on the back cover is scary for if you judged this book by it's back cover you would never guess it's content!
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Summary: We need to think more about this book
Review: The Giving Tree, seems like a lovely book and many people are not critical of it because it is tied to fond childhood memories. However, The Giving Tree is far too much about giving up everything for someone else at one's own expense. It is not a good lesson for children that everything they need will be given to them by someone who loves them, even if it means that person must lose part of themselves.
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Summary: Scary Back Cover
Review: I love the book, I just want to know whos decision it was to put the scariest possible picture of the author on the back cover. When my daughter saw his picture she started to cry. Thanks Alot......!
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