The Giving Tree: Shel Silverstein: 0040000486824: Amazon.com: Books

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Honest review of The giving treeThe Miao‘s Collection

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Shel Silverstein

The Giving Tree Hardcover – Picture Book, January 1, 1964

by Shel Silverstein (Author)

4.9 34,452 ratings

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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. This classic is perfect for both young readers and lifelong fans.

"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. 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.

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.

The Giving Tree is a meaningful gift for milestone events such as graduations, birthdays, and baby showers.

Shel Silverstein's incomparable career as a bestselling children's book author and illustrator began with Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. He is also the creator of picture books including A Giraffe and a Half, Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?, The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, and the perennial favorite The Giving Tree, and of classic poetry collections such as Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, Every Thing On It, Don't Bump the Glump!, and Runny Babbit plus Runny Babbit Returns.

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Reading age

2+ years, from customers
Print length

64 pages
Language

English
Grade level

2 - 3
Lexile measure

530L
Dimensions

7.5 x 0.38 x 10 inches
Publisher

HarperCollins
Publication date

January 1, 1964
ISBN-10

0060256656
ISBN-13

978-0060256654
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The Giving Tree

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From the Publisher


	Where the Sidewalk Ends	A Light in the Attic	The Giving Tree	Falling Up	Every Thing On It	Where the Sidewalk Ends Special Edition with 12 Extra Poems

Customer Reviews	11,756	6,983	34,452	5,109	2,057	8,686
Price	$11.70	$10.99	$10.98	$12.90	$13.84	$12.28
	The classic poetry collection that is both outrageously funny and profound.	Filled with remarkable characters and hilariously profound poems.	A poignant picture book about love and acceptance, perfect for both young readers and lifelong fans.	A wondrous book of poems and drawings that will charm young readers.	More poems packed with outrageous humor, poetic genius, and signature illustrations.	This book features 12 new poems.


	A Light in the Attic Special Edition with 12 Extra Poems	The Missing Piece	The Missing Piece Meets the Big O	Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook	Runny Babbit Returns: Another Billy Sook	Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?

Customer Reviews	6,983	2,295	1,086	1,137	272	271
Price	$13.98	$12.59	$12.30	$12.69	$17.29	$14.39
	The beloved classic with 12 new poems.	A fable that gently probes the nature of quest and fulfillment.	A fable that gently probes the nature of quest and fulfillment.	A hilarious book of spoonerisms – words or phrases with letters or syllables swapped.	Filled with spoonerism poems that are both playful and poignant.	A hilarious and loving look at the joys of having a rhinoceros as a pet.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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

Review

“If you’re looking for a children’s book that teaches generosity or unselfishness, most people will point you right to The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein’s lovely story of a tree that will do anything for the boy it loves—and for good reason. This classic is always a good place to start.” — Brightly

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins; First Edition (January 1, 1964)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 64 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060256656
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060256654
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2+ years, from customers
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 530L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 2 - 3
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 0.38 x 10 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3 in Children's Poetry (Books)
- #6 in Children's Science Fiction Books (Books)
- #9 in Children's Classics

Customer Reviews:
4.9 34,452 ratings

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Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein

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"And now, children, your Uncle Shelby is going to tell you a story about a very strange lion- in fact, the strangest lion I have ever met." So begins Shel Silverstein's very first children's book, Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. It's funny and sad and has made readers laugh and think since it was published in 1963. It was followed the next year by three more books. The first of them, The Giving Tree, is a moving story about the love of a tree for a boy. Shel returned to humor the same year with A Giraffe and a Half, delighting readers with a most riotous ending. The third book in 1964 was Uncle Shelby's Zoo Don't Bump the Glump! and Other Fantasies, Shel's first poetry collection, and his first and only book illustrated in full color. It combined his unique imagination and bold brand of humor in this collection of silly and scary creatures. Shel's second collection of poems and drawings, Where the Sidewalk Ends, was published in 1974. His recording of the poems won him a Grammy for best Children's Album. In this collection, Shel invited children to dream and dare to imagine the impossible, from a hippopotamus sandwich to the longest nose in the world. With his next collection of poems and drawings, A Light in the Attic, published in 1981, Shel asked his readers to turn the light on in their attics, to put something silly in the world, and not to be discouraged by the Whatifs. Instead he urged readers to catch the moon or invite a dinosaur to dinner- to have fun! A Light in the Attic was the first children's book to break onto the New York Times Bestseller List, where it stayed for a record-breaking 182 weeks. The last book that was published before his death in 1999 was Falling Up (1996). Like his other books, it is filled with unforgettable characters. Shel Silverstein's legacy continued with the release of a new work,Runny Babbit, the first posthumous publication conceived and completed before his death and released in March 2005. Witty and wondrous, Runny Babbit is a poetry collection of simple spoonerismsH, which twist the tongue and tease the mind. Don't Bump the Glump! And Other Fantasies was recently reissued in 2008 after being unavailable for over 30 years. Shel was always a believer in letting his work do the talking for him--few authors have ever done it better.

Customer reviews

34,452 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story beautiful, amazing, and brilliant. They say it's a great book for kids and adults alike, teaching one of the greatest life lessons. Readers describe the message as deep and meaningful. They mention it makes an excellent gift and is appropriate for many givers. They praise the writing style as well-written and easy to read. Additionally, customers say the book is an exceptional purchase for the price.

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Story quality Book for kids Message quality Gift value Writing style Value for money Heartfelt story Sadness

1,432 customers mention "Story quality"1,432 positive0 negative

Customers find the story beautiful, amazing, and brilliant. They also love the illustrations and simple-to-read words. Readers mention the book is timeless and deep, portraying the beauty and pain of giving.

"Beautiful story, great for kids and adults alike." Read more

"Great story. Quality material." Read more

"I have loved this book since childhood. The story is so simple and filled with love. I always related it to the “Gift of the Magi” by O Henry...." Read more

"Sweet and a good teaching tool with guidance from adult" Read more

499 customers mention "Book for kids"482 positive17 negative

Customers say the book is good for both children and adults. They mention it opens up dialogue with children, teaches about not taking friendships for granted, and makes kids think. Readers also say it allows children to experience feelings and explore them.

"Beautiful story, great for kids and adults alike." Read more

"Sweet and a good teaching tool with guidance from adult" Read more

"...Stories like this are a great way to start a kid thinking (subconsciously at least) about spiritual and moral life and responsibilities...." Read more

"It was a gift. It’s great for all ages." Read more

345 customers mention "Message quality"336 positive9 negative

Customers find the message of the book deep, meaningful, and clear. They say it teaches one of the greatest life lessons, makes them think, and has different messages and meanings depending on the age of the child. Readers also mention the story is heartwarming and a simple tale of altruism and selflessness.

"My favorite children’s story such a powerful message to give our children" Read more

"...It’s a great reflection on a family centered life." Read more

"...The message is timeless and deep and portrays the beauty, and pain, of giving all that you have for someone you love. Could not more highly recommend!" Read more

"...This book is great for children to learn humility. My son is six years old and read it with no problem on his own...." Read more

157 customers mention "Gift value"157 positive0 negative

Customers find the book makes an excellent gift. They say it demonstrates the internal satisfaction of giving no matter what self-perceived limitations one has. Readers also mention it's a beautiful story of love and giving.

"A classic book to gift. I grew up reading the giving tree and it is one of my favorite books on the planet!I purchased this for my nephew" Read more

"This is a book about the joy of giving and remembering not to take advantage of those who give with all they have." Read more

"One of the best and a classic!! Perfect gift." Read more

"...first baby shower, received in perfect condition and made a great addition to her gift." Read more

97 customers mention "Writing style"89 positive8 negative

Customers find the writing style well-written, easy to read, and literary. They appreciate the brevity of the words and pictures. Readers also say the book gets it across brilliantly and is not too long to read.

"I loved the illustrations And The simple to read words and teaches relationships" Read more

"...Best heart warming story. Great for children and adults. Easy read" Read more

"I think it was a happy book. It was easy to read. I've learned that when they took all the things out it was still happy" Read more

"...Yet the literary language used portrays this lesson easily. So well written." Read more

89 customers mention "Value for money"79 positive10 negative

Customers find the book an exceptional purchase for the price.

"This us an awesome book at a great price" Read more

"Book arrived fast and in perfect condition, great price." Read more

"Got this book used for a great price and was pleasantly surprised with how good of condition the book was in. Would purchase from seller again!" Read more

"...I was so very happy to find it on Amazon for such a low price. Now, I will be able to read this to my future children...." Read more

85 customers mention "Heartfelt story"85 positive0 negative

Customers find the story heartfelt, touching, and heartwarming. They say it captures the heart of a mom and conveys their grief in a sentimental way. Readers also mention the book is incredibly moving and poetic.

"...It's such a tender sweet book. I bought this at birth so parents could start reading it to the kids and have it when they're 2 and 3 years old...." Read more

"I have loved this book since childhood. The story is so simple and filled with love. I always related it to the “Gift of the Magi” by O Henry...." Read more

"this book is incredibly moving and is a testament to how important others can truly be in people’s lives, such as the boy with the tree." Read more

"...& messages, but the true beauty is how it allows its readers to explore their own emotions and come to their own conclusions...." Read more

130 customers mention "Sadness"50 positive80 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the sadness in the book. Some mention it makes them cry, is sad but true, and a tear-jerker. Others say the story gets progressively more depressing and doesn't make sense.

"...Not sure what message it tries to deliver. The story doesn’t make sense to me." Read more

"it was exactly what I wanted and makes me cry. I have an ongoing joke of trying to get people to borrow/read this book to their children...." Read more

"...There is nothing uplifting about the ending. Both the boy and the tree wasted their lives...." Read more

"I bought this for my grandsons. Its a poignant story, a little sad, but depicts how much love and unselfishness there can be in a relationship...." Read more

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Sweet sweet book. Every parent should buy this for their children.

Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2024

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This book is about a tree that gives and gives and gives (like a parent) to a child. The child moves away... the tree gave up so much to the boy through life, even his wood.. till there's nothing left but a stump. When all is said and done, the boy still loves the tree that gave him so much fun and pleasure and product in life. In the end the boy, now an old man, comes back to visit and reminisce of all that the tree provided & his youthful times growing up playing in the tree. This book makes me cry every time I read it and I've read it to my kids and my grandkids and I still cry. It's such a tender sweet book. I bought this at birth so parents could start reading it to the kids and have it when they're 2 and 3 years old. We start reading to children early.

One person found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2024

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Beautiful story, great for kids and adults alike.

One person found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2024

Verified Purchase

Great story. Quality material.

One person found this helpful

Danielle Keffer

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2024

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My favorite children’s story such a powerful message to give our children

Wonderful story

Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2024

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I have loved this book since childhood. The story is so simple and filled with love. I always related it to the “Gift of the Magi” by O Henry. When I was asked to bring a book to a baby shower I immediately thought of this story. It is one that will remain in your heart forever.

2 people found this helpful

Appropriateness

Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2024

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Sweet and a good teaching tool with guidance from adult

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2024

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This is such a stunning SE. I cannot wait to give it as a gift

Beautiful sad story--tough to take, but good lessons, gentle enough for children

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2011

Verified Purchase

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.

18 people found this helpful

Top reviews from other countries

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max

Fantastic book

Reviewed in Canada on October 3, 2024

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This book is such a nice story. You learn what it means to appreciate someone or something. I read this book when i was a child. Loved it then too.

Gabriele barbosa

nao lemos ainda

Reviewed in Brazil on February 27, 2024

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vamos ler

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Li-La

A Heartfelt and Timeless Story About Unconditional Love

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2024

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Confession - I cry every time when I read this book 🫣

The Giving Tree is a beautiful, thought-provoking tale that speaks to readers of all ages. Shel Silverstein’s simple yet powerful writing and illustrations deliver a moving story about the nature of giving, selflessness, and love.

The story revolves around the relationship between a boy and a tree. As the boy grows, the tree selflessly gives everything it has to make him happy. It’s a touching metaphor about unconditional love and the passage of time, offering valuable lessons about gratitude and selflessness.

Silverstein’s illustrations are minimalist but add depth to the narrative, perfectly complementing the emotional weight of the story. Although some readers may interpret the ending as bittersweet or even sad, it opens up meaningful conversations about the balance between giving and receiving.

Whether you're a parent reading to a child, or an adult revisiting the tale, The Giving Tree remains a timeless, emotionally resonant experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a story that’s as heartwarming as it is thought-provoking.

Cliente Amazon

Precioso libro

Reviewed in Spain on July 3, 2024

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Precioso libro para niños

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Nina Hopewell

Classic

Reviewed in Germany on April 5, 2024

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I bought this for my 2 year old daughter and even tho she's so little, she loves the book. This will last us for years, since the story is so timeless

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