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Summary: This is another book that all children should hear
Review: My Degree is in Early Childhood Education. I have five grown children that I bought this book for and once again my now seven year old got it as a hand-me-down at the age of two. It is like a parent's love for their child. They cling when they are young, move onto lives of their own, as it should be.They return at moments of their lives, and they move onto the next stage. The parent is always there for them to share whatever they can to help with the next stage, but miss their children a great deal while they are gone.Life moves on for both as the years go by. And as time goes by the parent has less and less to give,but hopefully we will live long enough to see our children grow up, see we did all we could as parents and that we have some time left to spend with our children. Children do not come into the world to satisfy our needs, and children just love this book, not knowing that,at least to me, it is a story of the life stages.My seven year old did get a new copy of the book, because the older one had been read so many times, by request of my other children, that still know the story because they loved it so much.All six children felt compassion for the tree, something that some people never feel. We all know the world could use a lot more compassion for their fellowman, an animal, themselves, the ability to have the feelings of compassion. Mrs. Symmington
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Summary: From a Jewish Educator's Perspective -A Tu Bishvat Must Read
Review: "And then the tree was happy... But not really." Ever since I made the decision to become a rabbi several years ago, I have had a recurring vision of my future rabbinate. In this vision, I am sitting in a nursery school classroom at the synagogue reading The Giving Tree, my favorite children's book, to the class. It is a tender story with many lessons to give about a young boy's relationship with a tree. Through the years I have discovered many of the metaphors that abound throughout this parable - metaphors about nature, parents, and God. The tree has a simple goal, and that is to make the little boy happy. When he asks the tree for money, she suggests that he sell her apples. When he asks for a house, she offers her branches as lumber. He keeps asking and she keeps giving, until all that is left of the tree is a stump when the young boy returns as an old man. And he sits on it. This is a wonderful story for teachers to use when discussing the law of bal tashchit - the Torah's ban on wanton destruction of nature. Our role as God's children is to repair the world (l'taken olam b'malkhut shaddai) and we must be careful not to exploit such precious gifts as trees, and nature's other resources. It is telling that as the boy matures into an old man, Silverstein continues to refer to him as the "boy." This shows that the tree continued to give even as the boy grew, just as this wonderful book continues to give even as the audience of young boys and young girls gets older. People of all ages will appreciate the feelings of both joy and tears that this book elicits. This is why I no longer only envision myself as a rabbi sharing The Giving Tree with nursery school children, but with "children" of all ages as well. Each time I read this story, I am taken away and then I am happy... But not really.
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Summary: Insight to the human spirit
Review: I read this book many years ago and have never forgotten it.I think the athor is teaching us about unconditional love.This is the kind of love our lord had for us.This book is an example of how we should live our lives and this would be a better place. I really need an adress i can write the author if that is possible please contact me at 8420 S Bryant Oklahoma City Oklahoma 73149. My Husband and I are Starting an organization to help people in need and we would like to name this non profit organization the giving tree.I think we would need the permission of the author to use this name.This book inspired us that this is what we need to do.This book teaches us to give and help people and recieve nothing in return. Please help me.Thank you Carolynn Ensey
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Summary: Should be re-named The Selfish Boy
Review: I am the biggest fan of Silverstein, except for this book. The tree gives and gives selflessly and the boy takes and takes. The tree is abused by the boy in a sense, and he just takes it. It's not a message I would want to send to my children.
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Summary: Teaches children about the stages of life
Review: The various stages of life are shown in this book. It follows the boy from childhood to old age. He has a pecular relationship with a tree that is happy to help him.
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Summary: Unselfish love
Review: I find the story the Giving Tree to be a tale of unselfish love. I know it seems as though all the boy does is take, take take. Maybe Shel Silverstein wrote this book to make us realize that sharing equally is what is important. I think the simple drawings are perfect for a not so simple lesson
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Summary: Moral?
Review: This is a story about one pathetic tree, and one mind-bogglingly selfish boy. I'm shocked that anyone thinks this is a good book. The only moral I could find in the story was that it's a lesson about what happens to your dignity if you refuse to say "no." That tree had no idea when to cut its losses, and there's nothing redeeming about that.
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Summary: A genuine classic
Review: In even the simplest of life's challenges, no gift should go unnoticed. A truly classic expression of what selfless sharing and the joy it gives to the giver and the receiver is all about. A MUST READ (and re-read) for adults and children alike!
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Summary: great book
Review: the book the giving tree is a great book. I highly recommend this book to little kids like 4 and older. I read it and im in sixth grade. To add to that my dad read it he said it was one the greatest picture book he ever read. My favorite part in the book is when he cuts down the tree to make a house and then a canoe. My teacher also read it and he also recommended this book to me and the lower grades like first second and so on grades.
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Summary: A Test
Review: A tree is an age-old symbol of unconditional giving. It shades, feeds, endures... Love endures all things. I really pity the folks who fail to see the goodness of this book.
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