- Library Binding: 64 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins Canada / Other
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0060256664
- ISBN-13: 978-0060256661
- Product Dimensions: 26.2 x 20 x 1.4 cm
- Shipping Weight: 318 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (365 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#354,595 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #19 in Books > Children's Books > Literature > Poetry > Silverstein, Shel
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
To say that this particular apple tree is a "giving tree" is an understatement. In Shel Silverstein's popular tale of few words and simple line drawings, a tree starts out as a leafy playground, shade provider, and apple bearer for a rambunctious little boy. Making the boy happy makes the tree happy, but with time it becomes more challenging for the generous tree to meet his needs. When he asks for money, she suggests that he sell her apples. When he asks for a house, she offers her branches for lumber. When the boy is old, too old and sad to play in the tree, he asks the tree for a boat. She suggests that he cut her down to a stump so he can craft a boat out of her trunk. He unthinkingly does it. At this point in the story, the double-page spread shows a pathetic solitary stump, poignantly cut down to the heart the boy once carved into the tree as a child that said "M.E. + T." "And then the tree was happy... but not really." When there's nothing left of her, the boy returns again as an old man, needing a quiet place to sit and rest. The stump offers up her services, and he sits on it. "And the tree was happy." While the message of this book is unclear (Take and take and take? Give and give and give? Complete self-sacrifice is good? Complete self-sacrifice is infinitely sad?), Silverstein has perhaps deliberately left the book open to interpretation. (All ages) --Karin Snelson
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Book Description
"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.
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.
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First Sentence
Once there was a tree... Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Once there was a tree... Read the first page
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Concordance
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
37 of 39 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
For bright people only,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Giving Tree (Hardcover)
Like most of the reviewers here, I read this book as a young child. I remember it was not like any other children's book I had ever read. I remember not liking the boy as he grew older and not wanting to be like him when I grew up, but I also remember wondering why the tree gave so much for nothing in return. I had questions and I asked them.Reading some of the reviews in here I am astonished at the degree and depth of ignorance some parents, including those describing themselves as educators, have with the themes in this book. Here is a sampling of the conclusions: "A cautionary tale about the human impact on the environment" - Certainly one can draw a conclusion about the effect man has on the environment but to leave it at that is to miss the vast majority of the themes in the book. Or: "it rationalizes and supports battered women staying with their scumbag abusers" - The battered woman theme is so contrived that it could only be brought up by people who have nothing else on their minds but battered women. Give an inkblot to a battered woman and she sees a battered woman. Even: "As a child, this was one of my favorite books. As an enlightened adult, it's a disturbing look at relationships" This is a sad and ironic statement which strangely hints at the life of the person in the book! To the person that made this review: as a child you could "see"; as an adult you will make it what you want it to be. You are not enlightened; you were smarter as a child. Relationships!? Stop reading People magazine. The tree is not a symbol of people it is a symbol of bigger themes like life, unconditional love, self-awareness and introspection, even God - but relationships? Turn off your TV. "a theme neither concrete nor relevant to young children's experiences" To the one that wrote that comment, children old enough to read are old enough to understand the major themes. You must have trouble with the themes yourself and so you automatically assume others, and especially children, will too. Give your kids some credit; they are smarter than you think. Relevant!? What are you teaching your kids? Here's some advice for you: turn off the Family Channel - our world has enough conniving manipulation and prejudice for your kids to add to the mess as adults. Sure, I'll get a lot of "no" marks for this review. But that's OK because, you see, most of the more intelligent reviews for this book are also given poor feedback. I'll be in good company.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
We found this book very depressing and disturbing.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Giving Tree (Hardcover)
My preschooler son received this book as a gift. I was not familiar with it from my own childhood, nor was my husband. After reading it for the first time, I thought it was the most depressing book I had ever read, and I didn't see how it was appropriate for a preschooler. My husband had exactly the same reaction. I really don't understand what this book is trying to teach. The boy never learns any kind of lesson from his terrible treatment of the tree. You're left at the end of the book feeling terribly sorry for the tree, and that's about it. Is this book supposed to be telling us you should continue to love others unconditionally even though they may take advantage of you and hurt you in every way possible? Personally, I think the lessons of love and self-sacrifice taught by Charlotte's Web are much more balanced and valuable. In the end, we decided that we didn't want our son exposed to this book, and we put it away. I am aware that this book has won many awards, but I really can't understand why.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Giving Tree book is wonderful!,
By Mandy J Hunter (AB, Canada) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Giving Tree (Hardcover)
I very much enjoyed reading this children's book! It is a must on anyones shelf! My daughter is a little young yet to find meaning to this book, but I found meaning, and have shared this book with my husband and sister. Enjoy! I know you will! [...]
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