one of the greatest books ever
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this has to be on my all time favourites list. i tear up every time i read it. its a beautiful story about unconditional love, i'd say between a mother and a child. its great to see stories like this in today's society where what you 'really need to worry about' is people cheating you, someone ripping you off, not getting your fair share, etc.. society's so focused on the individual and selfishness is so celebrated that stories like this are refreshing to read and much needed in my opinion. to be honest i was surprised to see the negative reviews, but i guess that has to happen with widely read books, there's always a critic, and this is a good thing. but i would like to say in response that, yes the boy is taking from the tree and the tree never asks for anything, just offers everything, this is true. but, the reader takes on the perspective of the tree, the giver, and they experience this giving as something joyous, as an expression of love. when you love someone don't you want to do something to make them happy? and when someone gives you something you want or need, sometimes unexpectedly, sometimes not, isn't that a great feeling? to know that they care, sometimes enough to go out of their way, just for you? the boy never demands anything from the tree, the tree offers to make the boy happy, like a parent (or even a grandparent, anyone who cares really). parents do everything for their children, sometimes this goes unnoticed, but they continue to do it because they love their children with all that they are. you can definitely pick out abuse if you look for it, but only if you look for it, not if you take the story as it is. it is a story about loving no matter what, and it kind of makes me sad that some people take that as abuse, especially when the boy did nothing offensive or abusive. he just took what was offered.
it's a beautiful story, and i think everyone should read it at least once in their lives.
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pure delight
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This little treasure is in the Top 10 of the best children's books ever written. I was amazed to see some people reviewed it 4 stars, I would give 6! It's from those little books who make you look differently at life, in a good way. And children love it too! If you don't own it yet, don't hesitate.
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Essential
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"The Giving Tree" is the perfect gift for people who don't know how to give of themselves. It is a narrative reflection on the art of living. Parents should read this book to their children. Teachers should share it with their classes. It belongs on every bookshelf. It is a book for every age. Other such books are the educational and heartwarming series of "Why Some Cats are Rascals". Get them all and safe on shipping charges. You will be glad you did. These are books essential to your child's proper upbringing.
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A Preacher's Resource
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This book has been a resource to me as a preacher in a Christian community. The story, to me, says that if we give all that we have then we will be happy. But if all we do is take we will only be sad. Silverstein is to be commended and thanked for this remarkable piece of work.
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Alternate Environmentally Focused Interpretation
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This is much more than a simple children's book about unconditional parental love. The story can easily be read as a metaphor for man's view and treatment of the environment. In the beginning of the story the boy lives in blissful harmony with the tree, but as he grows and becomes more consumed by commercialism and modern society (the need to buy something, the need to build his own home) he slowly destroys the tree. Eventually, the boy returns to what little remains of the tree, and in effect, dies. Man's increasing efforts to live above the rules of nature and function in a society that revolves around consumption, has lead to the destruction of our planet, in a way that didn't exist in our infancy as a species. I have no idea if this is at all what Shel Silverstein had in mind while writing the book, but it does provide an interesting perspective on an already dark story that I feel is frequently over simplified.
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