from: HarperCollins
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Type of bind: Hardcover
EAN num: 9780060256654
ISBN number: 0060256656
Label: HarperCollins
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 64
Printing Date: October 07, 1992
Publishing house: HarperCollins
Age index: Ages 4-8
Release Date: October 07, 1964
Sale Popularity Level: 852
Studio: HarperCollins
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
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+
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
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!
Rated by buyers 
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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.
Rated by buyers -
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 very 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.
Rated by buyers -
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.
Rated by buyers -
It's a book about giving selflessly which we all need to learn to do in a society where everything is give to get. It is a highly benign book that delivers a good message on a multiple levels. A boy, (a spoiled brat) asks for bigger things each time until finally the tree says it has nothing to offer but everything, a place for a rest.
I believe this book is not a children's book that you leave behind as you grow-up but a book that you grow-up with. I'm in my mid-30's reading this book to my daughter as did my mom when I was their age. But I'm more impacted by this book now then when I was my daughter's age of 3 because that now I understand more about life. I know it's going to have a different impact when I'm 50 or 60 and until when I'm so old that all I need is a place of rest.
Ever since the book was published, there was controversy for its interpreted messages, for portraying a vicious, one-sided relationship between the tree and the boy; with the tree as the selfless giver and the boy as a greedy and never-satisfied being who constantly receives, yet never gives anything back to the tree. Everyone wants to be the `tree' and not the boy, but in fact, the `boy' is a reflection of us which we avoid admitting.
We, at any age, can learn from this book. We might fall into a loop-hole where we try to justify our selfish motives to `succeed' when put under scrutiny. In the end, if everyone tries to live like the `tree' we would rest knowing that we succeeded in this life.
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