The Giving Tree (Slipcased Mini Edition) Hardcover – October 20, 1999

This is one of my favorite books. It's bittersweet and a lovely book and I've given this as a gift many times. Shel Silverstein was a wonderful writer who saw things no one else did and he gave voice to the things he saw in the most memorable way possible.This story isn't a happily ever after type tale, but it sticks with you. It teaches a lesson about giving and receiving and knowing when you've asked for too much and when you're giving too much. But everyone who read this takes away their own lesson. It's a really personal little book.I can't possibly do justice to this book, but I love it. I wish Shel were still around. We need writers like him..

Two characters interact through the green of youth and into old age, one firmly rooted at home and the other growing up on a journey off the page.This is not my favorite children's book, but negative reviews using words like poison, hate, evil and co-dependency compel me to defend it. The primary cause for controversy appears to be over the man shortening the life of the tree by taking her offerings and forgetting her for a time, which spurs her to offer everything. Cynical subtitles could include "The Taking Boy" or "The Martyr Tree" and some critics would stretch to read "The Battered Tree Syndrome" into this as well. We might be rightly skeptical about unconditional love and nurturing in some types of relationships, but cynicism is neither healthy nor natural for children. Adults should take that lead.The multiple interpretations and discussion generated in various reviews here show that the book stands up as a work of art. Parents should always screen based on their own values and situations, but I believe this book is well suited to introduce kids to the bittersweet of life and love.The Giving Tree is a simple presentation which lends itself to complex overlapping messages on love (whether divine, parental or otherwise), environmental resources, human capacity and mortality. Some reviewers seem to want the book to pass judgment by spelling out morals or consequences (perhaps showing the tree live on as a house or boat or nourishing others). This would detract from its beautiful simplicity, and is not necessary. Parents should reinforce the golden rule on a consistent basis anyway, and children can go with their generally correct instincts. Part of love in the parenting context is to give without tangible or immediate reward. It is sad to see the man take everything, but it is also sad to see love and life inevitably end. I am not aware of a gentler way to illustrate that reality. In the end, the man shown here does not profit from having grown apart from the loving tree of his childhood. I wonder if it would make critics happier to see another tree live in parallel a few extra years but never have loved so deeply or directly.Neither adults nor children need to be told how to feel at the end of this story; we can simply ask ourselves why we feel sad. It is obvious to me that no one would read this and and think that it condones killing the tree, though I suppose the man does have a stump to sit on at the end when he needs it. Diminution of the tree matches his own stooped grayness. He took from the tree, but life gives and takes from us all. We are set up to grow old and wither and let go as we gain the perspective to care the most. At the end of the book we care for the wronged tree (and perhaps even the old man) but learn to take a lesson and let go.Clearly The Giving Tree has lessons at different levels, and for the first reading with a young child, you can focus on both the giving and shared love which continues even at the end of life.I will not dwell on sad tales with my young son, but I worry about the reviewers who write that they do not want their young children to think deeply. Stories like this are a great way to start a kid thinking (subconsciously at least) about spiritual and moral life and responsibilities. It is not as lyrically fun to read as The Lorax, but you can draw a similar lesson of stewardship and preservation from a narrative more understandable to the young.

The Giving Tree is a book that really touched me. The story of the tree’s unconditional love and its willingness to give everything to the boy, even as he takes more and more, is both beautiful and sad. It made me reflect on the importance of generosity and the balance between giving and taking. The simple yet powerful illustrations really added to the emotional depth of the story. While the message is bittersweet, it’s a reminder of how love can be both selfless and sacrificial. This is a book that stays with you long after you finish reading it.

Bought this book instead of a card for a baby shower. It was one of my children’s favorite books to read or have read to them. And it was a very competitive price through Amazon versus the local stores that sell books.

timing, packaging simple and fine, and book looks great. I was not expecting a signed previous note from the previous gifter to a child and parents, but i loved it because it was a lovely note to the new family and it was about a girl and I am giving the book to a little girl, so it was perfect.

Such an incredible book with such a poignant life lesson. Especially for parents. I love this book so much and read it to our son in my belly

Best book for chidren. Always nice add on fir baby shower gift

What a beautiful book about love and kindness. Just read it to my 3 year old with tears in my eyes