The Giving Tree 40th Anniversary Edition Book with CD

Rating:
Summary: A lasting memory
Review: I read this book when I was about 7 years old and to this day, I have kept the wisdom that it gave me about sharing. This is a truly touching story about giving oneself unconditionally and I would recommend it to any child or adult. I always want to cry at the end of the story because the tree is so happy. I give this book to my nieces and nephews when they start to read.

Rating:
Summary: A classic.
Review: Now, I have heard many people say that this book is ..., and that children when read this book will grow to believe that men are superior to women. As a female, I find that crazy. This book contains a sweet story, with a kind protagonist and a sweet ending. It is poignant. I read this book a long time ago, and I thought that the message was wonderful, and sweet. I read it a few years ago, I still felt the same way, and I read it this morning, and it was still wonderful. This book does not have to represent male/female roles, it does not have to represent how people should act, it does NOT have to represent how to share, why can't it just be what it is? A sweet book which children will enjoy. Yes, this book belongs in the childrens section, not only because of the connection I feel to the book personally, but because of the connection to the book that millions of people (most of whom probably are not ...) have to this book of their childhood.

Rating:
Summary: The giving tree.
Review: I love The Giving Tree. I like the boy. The tree because it is nice

Rating:
Summary: childrens book?
Review: As an adult I do see that this tree loves this boy as a mother loves a child. However if you are buying this book for a child think again. I have a 7 year old who has had this book since he was 4. He has always hated it. Kids don't want to be forced values. He also doesn't comprehend the message. An emotional read as a parent for myself but not for my child.

Rating:
Summary: selfish and sexist
Review: This is a horrible childrens book. It's about a friendship between a tree and a boy. However, the boy always takes and the tree always gives. At the end the tree is nothing but a stump and yet it still has something to offer the grown and aged boy. This book teaches kids to just take from a friendship. Also, it is a very sexist book. Why is the tree a she? This teaches young girls that they should always give and never receive and that they will still be happy. Is this really what you want your kids to learn?

Rating:
Summary: A Codependent Tree
Review: I received this book several years ago, read it and thought it was a sweet book. As I read it a few weeks ago to my baby girl I realized what a horrible story it contained. A codependent tree gives away all it has to a human who never shows a token of appreciation. This is not a lesson to teach my children (at least for me). However, I guess anything goes in children's books nowadays.

Rating:
Summary: Will touch your heart!
Review: This is an exceptional story which is interrupted differently each time you read it and with each reader. Shel Silverstein has the most remarkable way of expressing unconditional love, and selfishness on the other side. This story I don't think anybody should go without reading and you will remember this story and think back on this story, you will smile sometimes thinking of this and it will touch your heart.

Rating:
Summary: not like grapefruit juice.
Review: No matter how many times you read this devine creation, you will always feel differently about it when you're finished. Sometimes you will love the tree, for it is so kind and would do anything for this little boy she loves so much, and other times you despise her for being so pitiful and weak, for sacrificing herself to some greedy little boy. Most of the time you hate the boy, he just took everything from the tree and he never gave her anything, but then sometimes you think maybe he loved the tree as much as the tree loved him and even if he didn't he at least let her have the satisafction of loving him. Shel Silverstein is just amazing, in this simple tale of a tree and it's boy he spins a tale which will wring your mind of all sorts of memorys and feelings and thoughts you never could have know or remebered if it were not for this book.

Rating:
Summary: the tree as Nature?
Review: I think a good and timely interpretation of the Giving Tree is as a specific instance of a much larger reality - nature, and the little boy as us humans. Nature has given us and all life a home for time immemorial, and we appreciated that home in our youth and loved it. However, as we humans have come of age we have just taken and taken, and like the tree, our Earth has given and given much to her own detriment. Must we continue to take until our Home is in the same shape as the tree? except in this metaphor death for the tree means death for the boy... I for one hope not! Something to think about the next time you use a paper towel or read your Sunday paper.

Rating:
Summary: i can never think of a title...
Review: i just read this book today, and by the end i had used up 3 tissues. it doesnt teach you that unconditional love is for the taking. it teaches you to appreciate what you have. it took the little boy a very long time to realize it, but he finally did. he finally saw what he had done. i thought of my parents, and all the times i DO take advantage of them, take things for granted. but it's true. the tree did receive something back, it received the joy of giving. maybe it seems martyrlike, but is that how parents view their children? did they say "i want to bring a child into this world because i think he/she deserves it." no, they want a child. its for THEMSELVES, and that's like what the tree is. it gives, because it is willing.

so admist all these other tribulations, this book is getting 5 stars...