The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein
Fiction, Picture-Books, Classics, Poetry, Young-Adult, Fantasy
“Once there was a tree…and she loved a little boy.” So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk…and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.
Recommendations from Common Sense Media
Age Recommendation: 4+
What Parents Need to Know:
Parents need to know that Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, first published in 1964, is a sensitive parable that really hits an emotional button — readers seem to either love it or hate it. Some see the tree’s selfless love of a boy as beautiful, even if it’s taken to an extreme. It’s easy to imagine the tree as a mature, patient mother dependably being there for her child throughout his life. But the tree can also be seen as a masochistic female who doesn’t know how to set limits. Some might even read this as a warning about greedily using Mother Nature’s resources. In any case, its an enduring classic that readers of all ages respond to.
Educational Value: 1/5
Shows a bit of the life cycle of a tree and a boy.
Positive Messages: 3/5
Some may view this tale as depicting a wonderful motherly love, while others may see it as a cautionary tale about the need to set limits or protect the earth’s resources.
Positive Role Models: 3/5
There’s some debate over the precise role of the tree, but most young children will probably see her as a loving, giving, motherly figure.
Violence & Scariness: n/a
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Language: n/a
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