The Giving Tree Reviews

The Giving Tree is a wonderful book for children of all ages. It tells about a tree who loves a boy so much he gives him everything he has to give. It reminds me of God's love for us. In the late 60's I was at a benefit for the kidney foundation in Nashville, Tennessee. In a world that was full of long haired men and woman of that day, a bald headed man walked across the stage. Many years later I found out that this man that stuck out like a sore thumb at that time was Shel Silverstein the author of the Giving Tree. I wish I had gotten his autograph. I love all of his books.

I know so many people who love the Giving Tree.  Alot of my friends use this book in their classrooms to teach different social skills.  However, I just can't get over how selfish the boy is.  I identify with the tree too much, which may be my problem.  With that said,  I suggest checking it out at the library before buying it.  Happy reading!

In the Giving Tree I see a lot of what women tend to do to themselves -- giving themselves away until they are completely used up. Up it is a very poor lesson  for children and adults. On one hand you have boy who is more than willing to allow for the tree to destroy itself on his behalf and the tree who allow itsellf to be used up. In real life we can never really take care of anyone until we learn to take care of ourselves. How much more would the tree have had to offer if were whole?

As a little girl, I was very lucky to the same teacher for 1st and 2nd grade.  If we behaved and did all our work, she would read us a story or a chapter from a chapter book.  She had this way of reading to us that always made me drift off and see myself in whatever she read.  I believe this is where I got my love of books from.  She read this book to us often.  The friendship between the boy and the tree was so endearing and honest.  How he changed as he got older and lost sight of what's really important in life.  Even how he lost his innocence, the older he got always made me wonder...

I was first introduce to the book The Giving Tree when I was a young child. It was given to me by my youth minister for a christmas gift. It is well written and illustrated.

The book tells a very nice story about a tree and a young boy. The tree and the young boy meet in the woods and the tree offers herselft to the boy. First branches to swing from, then offering shade on a hot day, an apple to eat and wood to build a house. The book also has a great ending.

I purhcased this book for my daughter and I will be  purchasing it for my nieces and nephews and any future grandchildren.

The greatest lesson about giving ever written.  I know a lot of people think it's about being selfish, but it's not called The Taking Boy, it's The Giving Tree.  The tree is happy to give, and even when it seems there is nothing left to give, the Tree can still be happy by just giving the gift of Being There for someone else.

I've given away dozens of copies of this book over the years (and only one copy to a child).  I usually add a copy to a wedding gift, because I think it's an important lesson for any couple starting out together.

Shel was a genius! 

The Giving Tree is a classic book that should be in every person's library.  This book is simple and sweet in its lesson of caring.  It teaches that everyone has a purpose and should be thanked for their contributions to society.

When I was a child, my parish priest used this book as the basis of a sermon.  The subject was about giving and caring.  He could not have picked a better book.  READ THIS AND LEARN FROM IT!  The world will be a better place.