The Giving Tree | 
| Creator: Shel Silverstein
Publisher: HarperCollins
Category: Book
List Price: $16.99
Buy Used: $1.92
You Save: $15.07 (89%)
New (80) Used (114) Collectible (8) from $1.92
Avg. Customer Rating:  598 reviews
Sales Rank: 518
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 64
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 10.1 x 7.3 x 0.6
ISBN: 0060256656
UPC: 000060256652
EAN: 9780060256654
ASIN: 0060256656
Publication Date: October 7, 1992
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Some wear on a very usable copy - marks
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
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
Product 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 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. Ages 10+
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| Customer Reviews: Read 593 more reviews...
 A GOOD STORY ABOUT LOVE AND THE PERFECT HAPPINESS OF GODs' handy WORK! July 20, 2008
Hello spiritual family,
This book is about loving caring and being blessed by God.
Sincerely,
Michael E Litchmore
great gift! July 13, 2008
This is a wonderful story that I believe every child should hear. The emotion from the story is incredible. I read it to my son all the time. I would recommend this book as a gift to someone special in your life!
Negative reviewers just don't get it July 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is on my list of must-read books at the listofbests site. For any potential negative comment, please consider the point of view in the story. I just asked my teenage son if he remembered the book. His response:
"It's about the dark side of human personality. The kid just takes and takes and is greedy and never gives anything back."
Perfect summary. The fact that my son understands the negative impact of such behavior tells me this book was absolutely appropriate. Lessons such as this are why my son helps me in most areas of my life and doesn't just taketaketake.
A reader who can't understand that the point is that being a taker without giving is bad, then it is a very sad statement about that person's morals.
Good for the parent and the child July 3, 2008
There are not many books for this age group that the parent gets more out if it than the child.
The Giving tree is an great story that is hard for young ones to comprehend the first time through, but still fun to hear. As you read it over and over to them will understand and appreciate it more.
This has many similarities to stories like Dr. Suess' "The Lorax"
Stories like these are inspirations for content I create on the [...] storybooks site.
The Giving Tree June 21, 2008
I have used Amazon for many purchases and have been very pleased with the service. They are right on target and I haven't had a problem at all.
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