The Giving Tree 40th Anniversary Edition Book with CD

Rating:
Summary: One of "THE" best alltime children's books !!
Review: I bought this book to read to my children 28 years ago. It remains one of my favorites and theirs. They each have their own copy (3) and I am now in the process of buying a "New" copy for our first grandchild. We also have a copy of all of Shel Silverstein's books. Have enjoyed many, many hours reading to our children and now look forward to reading to our grandchildren.

Rating:
Summary: This book connects man and nature like never before.
Review: Shel Silverstein is able to silence restless children in this poinient 'reality bites' version of the relationship of man and nature. It is an important lesson that people of all ages can benefit from reading. It encompasses such themes as selfishness, neediness, companionship and sadness from not accomplishing goals. Silverstein succeeds in opening the eyes of children to a throat clearing fact of modern life. In the coarse of life, there are many who suffer from others deeds in the pursuit of happiness. The illustrations are eye catching and effective in setting the mood of the book. Simple drawings on a starchy white page downplay the significance of the message presented in this book. From an educational perspective, this book could be useful in a morals education class or in an environmental studies course. The overall feeling that the readers takes away with them is one of sadness and apathy. It could be also used as an effective tool to aid children with emotional problems to identify individual emotions. It is raw emotion and feels pure and invigorating to experience. A very unique reading experience.

Rating:
Summary: The Earth's Parable
Review: Literature can be interpreted and misinterpreted. In my interpretation, I see this book as a parable, about how we take and take from the earth, soaking up its resources without a care, always wanting more. The earth gives and gives...expecting nothing in return, but giving its life in the end (its resources). Use this book to teach children that we must give back out of our own love for the things the earth gives us. Teach children to appreciate and respect nature.

Rating:
Summary: This Book is a must-have
Review: I think this book is a way of learning about friends and the true meaning of love for someone else. Silverstein has a way of expressing it in a way that al ages can understand in. I enjoyed reading this book. The tree is a good example of a good reliable friend.

Rating:
Summary: Shel has changed my life!
Review: Ever since I was a young girl, bearly tall enough to peer over the stacks in the school library, I've hung on every word that Shel Silverstein has written. The creativity and play on words is astounding! Truly "The Giving Tree" is a story for generations to treasure.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiration - NOT !!!!! Selfish & ungrateful - YES!
Review: I am with the minority of reviewers who thinks the selfishness of this boy to take and take and take without gratitude or returning the favor is appalling! When I read this with my 5 year old daughter, even she could see how selfish he was. I am amazed at the number of raves - I would never recommend this book and find it miles away from inspiring - what should it be inspiring????

Rating:
Summary: Forever with me
Review: This book was given to me by my Aunt Barbara who, without a doubt has never given me anything worth while until this gift. When I was younger I read this book and cried - now i am 23 years old and every time I read it, I cry- this book is the most amazing book ever written in my opinion - but don't take my word for it read it yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Simply a classic.
Review: This book can show what true unconditional love is ,no other book is so moving, in so few words. Take it for what it is, a masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: READ TO CHILDREN WITH CARE!!!
Review: This book requires more than reading to your child as its message is not completely clear and could easily be misinterpreted ( I cannot believe that Shel Silverstein was attempting to write a story about how women should give and men should take). My daughter,4 years old, loves this book...so we read it a lot. However, whenever we finish reading the book, I make sure that I ask her what she thinks the story is about, and then we discuss it (keeping in mind that she is only 4).

Rating:
Summary: Every house must have a copy
Review: This book change my life, It teached me something that I knew, but never exercised, "the act of giving."