The Giving Tree
eBook - 2014
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From Library Staff
From Library Staff
Illustrator Shel Silverstein -
Preschoolers and big kids alike will love this classic Shel Silverstein story written in verse. Check out a digital copy with your library card or One Access number.
This classic picture book tells the story of a young boy who receives many gifts from a beloved tree as he journeys into manhood. Available in hard copy as well. The Lexile level is 530.
"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... Read More »
Level N. A young boy grows to manhood and old age experiencing the love and generosity of a tree which gives to him without thought of return.
From the critics
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Age
Add Age Suitabilityviolet_hummingbird_263 thinks this title is suitable for All Ages
violet_butterfly_55248 thinks this title is suitable for All Ages
Summary
Add a SummaryA tree loves little boy unconditionally, even though he doesn't always return that love.
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Add a CommentThis is an excellent book but I can't give it 5 stars because it's just so depressing. I agree with others here that it's really more for adults - or at least older children - than young children. I don't think a young child will grasp the lessons here, and if they do it will just make them very sad.
I saw this book when my teacher read it before i love the book
I really like Shel Silverstein and I really dislike this book.
Give of yourself until there is literally nothing left is a terrible message.
Of course you can read it as "what a selfish boy to take and take and what bad bad choices the tree made never having boundaries" but that would have to have to be explicitly said to the child.
Really, just skip it altogether and read "Where the Sidewalk Ends".
The Giving Tree is such an inspirational book for all ages. The book is about a tree who has everlasting love for a little boy and as he grows up the tree gives him anything to make him happy. The tree gives him apples, branches, the trunk, in order to follow the adulthood criteria (money, a house, a family, and travel). The man is a metaphor for selfishness. The book teaches us to not take someone for granted and to give more than you receive. @grumpkat of the Teen Review Board at the Hamilton Public Library
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Love the story and heartfelt emotions inspired by such simplicity! A tale for both children and adults as often we take for granted the love we are given. "Empathy", as another has commented is an important lesson and "Sacrificial Love" so beautifully expressed makes this story timeless.
I think this story is appropriate for parents, but not young children. It's a story of giving all of yourself to the point of destruction.
The tree gives everything it has until it it only a stump, and the boy never shows love or respect for the tree.
The message I would want readers to get is, don't be like the tree and let others, even those you love, harm you. It's appropriate to say "no" to protect yourself, and in protecting yourself, you can help others learn to establish safe boundaries for themselves, and in maintaining yourself, you can better serve others better and longer.
Love the message
One of my all time childhood favourites! The whole story progresses at a nice rate, which relates a lot to reality. It's written thoughtfully and easy to read with black and white illustrations. HOWEVER, please beware of a sad ending...
I have learnt not to take life for granted and to cherish everything that we have. What goes around, comes around...A truly meaningful and heartfelt story to read at any time with valuable lessons to learn and educate our future generations!!!!
Such a delightful and touching tale! And its so short! The oddity of the tree portrayed as a saint, and the contrast with a good boy, really emphasizes the limitations of humans.