"The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein's classic parable of selfless love and devotion originally published in 1964, is now available in a larger-size edition." _ Publisher's Weekly, 2003.
Summary:
Silverstein's The Giving Tree is a story about a tree and a little boy who love each other. When the boy is young (and innocent) he very much enjoys playing under the tree's shade and tree enjoys the boy's company and it makes her content and satisfied to make the boy happy. But as the boy gets older (gradually losing his innocence) he turns colder towards the tree and his visits to the tree lessen and his demands for her increase. Despite this fact, the tree is still happy to receive him and to fulfill the boy's desires and wants. However, as the boy's desires increase the damages to the tree also increase and his visits become costly for the tree. In the beginning the tree gives him her apples for him to sell and get money, than she gives him her branches to build a house than she gives him her trunk to eventually build a boat and sail away. And so he does not return for a long and when he returns to the tree he is an old man. By this time it seems the tree has nothing left to give him anymore. However, the old man (the boy) still wants something from her: a place to sit and rest! That the tree has: She offers him her trunk and the story ends with the tree and the old man happy together.
Reaction and Impressions:
This is a great story that teaches altruism and important differences between individuals: some are givers and some are takes; some are always willing to give and some are always ready to take without a thought of giving something back in return. This story is a wonderful lesson of one's unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
The book is a wonderful source to be used for story time followed by arts and crafts activities about trees, friendship (bracelets) and love.
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