As a child, my favorite books were written by Shel Silverstein. I remember when I bought a book of his poetry at the school book fair. I carried that book with me wherever I went. I used to read the poetry and laugh and wish that I was the people in his stories.
A few years back, our son discovered the same book of poetry that I once had and he loved it. He requested that we buy all of Silverstein’s books. I suppose that is the sign of a good author. Someone with such timeless appeal that a decade or two later they are still able to delight people with their words.
The Giving Tree is a book that was around when we were kids. In fact, most of the kids that I knew had a copy back in the 80s. Now, Harper Collins has introduced an anniversary edition that just goes to show that if your children do not have a copy of their own, now is the time to get them one.
For those of you unfamiliar with the story, it is a simple story with just about one line per page. The opposing page has a corresponding picture to go with the text. The story is about a tree and a little boy. The tree loves the boy and the feeling is mutual. The boy goes to visit the tree each day. He picks up her leaves and uses them in games of imagination. He climbed her, swung around on her branches, and would even eat her apples if he got hungry.
The two would play games and she would offer him a soft resting place if he got tired. It was an important and loving relationship that the two shared. However, as the child grew he stopped visiting the tree. When he would come back the tree would want to play, but the boy claimed that he was too old for things like that. However, the tree still loved the boy. In fact, she loved him so much that when he needed money, she offered to give him all of her apples so that he could make some.
It was quite awhile before the boy returned. He was much older and when the tree wanted to play, he again responded that he couldn’t play because he was too old. The tree still loved him though and though he seemed selfish, the tree offered to give him what he needed to be happy. Even though the tree was suffering to give the boy what he wanted, she was happy because she loved him. The boy would return again, wanting something else from the tree. This time it was so big that he would take all that she had left.
When he returns one final time, the old man and the old, seemingly worthless tree find their way back to one another. The man needing a place to sit takes solace in the spot that the tree provides. The story offers a hint of greed, but more importantly it teaches children the importance of not taking advantage of people and that it’s good to give things to people who love and care for you.
This book is highly recommended for kids of all ages. It would work perfectly for the 4-10 range though some children that are older or younger may still enjoy this wonderful classic.
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Technorati Tags: Shel Silverstein, the Giving Tree, Book Review, Children, Reading
Written by Ashtyn Evans - Visit Website
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Ashtyn lives in her home state of Michigan with her life partner, Dominick, her 14 year old son, and her baby, the Shih-Tzu, Oliver Twist. Ashtyn is in college, going for a degree in Psychology. She plans to get her Ph.D and work as a therapist in the field of human sexuality. Ashtyn is an experienced and talented chef. She also excels at writing and has worked as a professional writer for the past five years. Ashtyn enjoys spending time with her son and four year old nephew, watching movies, listening to music, and writing works of fiction.
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