Shel Silverstein's incomparable career as a bestselling children's book author and illustrator began with Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. The Giving Tree is a meaningful gift for milestone events such as graduations, birthdays, and baby showers. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This moving parable for all ages offers a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.Įvery 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. So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. 'Once there was a tree.and she loved a little boy.' This classic is perfect for both young readers and lifelong fans. I knew it when I was six years old, when I read this and found it extremely depressing, and I know it even more now.From Shel Silverstein, New York Times bestselling author of Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic, comes a poignant picture book about love and acceptance, cherished for over fifty years. I wish no children ever were exposed to it. This book makes me think of the sexist notion that women should anihilate their own identities in order to 'sacrifice' for their children. No one wants to be dead as a result of the rigors of love or from the demands of parenting (whether literally dead, or symbolically having a deceased self-identity or dead soul because the other's constant selfish taking just slayed you). I cannot believe that one reviewer said 'even a stump can be useful.' Well, yeah, but a stump is first and foremost a DEAD tree. And your giving will be looked upon by sentimental readers as 'love' or motherhood, or some kind of nobel sacrifice. Just more take take take from the object of your affection. And it will not be reciprocated, not one teeny drop. Oh, and never be appreciated for any of your giving ways. That is the moral I got out of this book. Give and give and give, until it actually removes everything unique and special about you, then give again until you are dead.

The giving tree author