Negative reviewers just don't get it

books:


	• The Giving Tree HarperCollins, 1992 - 64 pages average customer review:based on 604 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Good for the parent and the child

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 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.

Negative reviewers just don't get it

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.

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You are the Giving Tree, she said.

"Sophomore year I entered your classroom playing the role of a student," she wrote. "I will never forget that red-headed teacher that pushed me to do a little more...."

This is part of the inscription that Allison wrote inside the front cover of "The Giving Tree." I had Allison as a student for three years in three different subjects. She presented this book to me at the end of her senior year. "You are the Giving Tree," she said. Read every word of this book because it is about you and me." I cried, of course, as I read the book.

In his complete innocence a little boy loves a tree for herself. Generously, she returns his love through gifts of self: her leaves for laurel crowns, her branches as a swing, her apples as food, games, rest. But time changes things. The boy turns his heart to love of girls, money, a house, a boat, and finally a simple place to rest.

Although his art is simple, Shel Silverstein's ideas are profound. This tree has given her all, everything, her totality to this child. Just think of this tree as mother, grandmother, teacher, and any other selfless adult in a child's life.

For that selflessness and because Allison celebrated mine, I dedicate this review to all the teachers who care and give selflessly of themselves. This is appropriate at the end of another school year when teachers are utterly exhausted. But by the end of summer they will throw themselves completely into teaching your children once again, refreshed physically and mentally, rejuvenated to their purpose, and eager to embrace their destiny: teaching your children whom they hold dear.

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The Giving Tree

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.

A book for all ages

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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reviews: 1, 2, page 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

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