Some may view this tale as depicting a wonderful motherly love, while others may see it as a cautionary tale about the need to set limits or protect the earth's resources.
Positive Role Models
some
There's some debate over the precise role of the tree, but most young children will probably see her as a loving, giving, motherly figure.
Educational Value
very little
Shows a bit of the life cycle of a tree and a boy.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree, first published in 1964,is a sensitive parable that really hits an emotional button -- readers seem to either love it or hate it. Some see the tree's selfless love of a boy as beautiful, even if it's taken to an extreme. It's easy to imagine the tree as a mature, patient mother dependably being there for her child throughout his life. But the tree can also be seen as a masochistic female who doesn't know how to set limits. Some might even read this as a warning about greedily using Mother Nature's resources. In any case, its an enduring classic that readers of all ages respond to.
This is not a children's book. I don't think the author ever intended it to be a children’s book. It deals with themes and ideas either beyond children's understanding or very disturbing to them. I remember reading it 35 years ago as a kindergartener and it was a scaring experience. I cried and couldn't understand why the man would abuse and kill the tree. Please stop reading this book to children.
This is probably the number one of my top-10 worst kids books ever written. It's about how an insensitive, masochist and selfish little boy's lack of empathy for a forever-giving tree ends up ruining her life and destroying her existence. The tree gives gifts of unconditional love and sacrifice and the boy just takes them, consuming them with no signs of gratitude, empathy or compassion. He takes advantage and manipulates the poor tree to keep giving to no end, sacrificing "herself" for the boy and being used by him with no second thoughts on the consequences of her sacrifice. This revolting cycle of unilateral giving and unilateral taking keeps escalating until the tree is reduced to a stump. Still, seeing the tree in that miserable state, the boy manages to use it once more! There is absolutely no connection between the characters throughout the story. Nothing there to teach a young kid either.
What's the Story?
THE GIVING TREE is a fable about giving (not always wisely, but deeply) and taking (often without thought but almost always with profound consequences). It follows the relationship of a boy and a tree, from the boy's childhood through old age. This is deservedly one of the bestselling children's books of all time. Both the text and the line drawings are like haiku in their potent simplicity.
This fable's spare text and the expressive line drawings add to the beauty and solemnity of this story and focus its power. Author Shel Silverstein gives a thoughtful look at the cycle of life of the boy and challenges readers of all ages to think about how they sometimes take loved ones for granted. Many images will give readers an ache in their heart: the boy embracing the tree with his chubby arms, the adolescent leaning against the sheltering tree lost in thought. The tree, too, goes through stages: from leafy to ripe with fruit to branchless and, finally, to just a stump. Readers may find it truly moving or kind of sad. Little kids tend to find it a comforting model of unconditional love.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the message the author might be trying to send readers. Do you think it's a good one? Why or why not?
Do you think the boy asks too much? Do you think the boy takes the tree for granted? Would you have behaved differently than the boy did?
Why do you think this book has been popular for so many years?
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
