Module 1: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Photo taken from:
http://www.amazon.com/Giving-Tree-Sid-Silverstein/dp/B004R64766/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1318194562&sr=8-2

Summary:

The Giving Tree, written by Shel Silverstein, tells of a relationship between a tree and its beloved boy. The tree and the boy have a very close relationship, especially during the boy’s childhood, as the boy plays on the tree, eats its apples, and sleeps under its shade. As the boy grows older, his need for the tree becomes less and less and the tree is sad and longs for the boy’s company. The boy always returns to visit the tree and the tree always asks why he doesn’t visit more often. The boy always has some need that he requires and the tree always provides a piece of itself to the boy to fill that need. Finally, in the later years of the boy’s life, the tree is nothing more than a stump and explains that it has nothing more to provide the boy. The boy, now an old man, is satisfied with the stump as it provides a place for him to sit. The tree is happy now that the boy is content and the two can be together again. 

Citation:

Silverstein, S.(1964). The giving tree. New York, New York: Harper & Collins.

Impression:

I thought the book was beautifully written in a poetic and artistic fashion. I loved the story and the lesson it portrayed. However, The Giving Tree is often criticized as not being an appropriate book for children. I agree with this criticism. I think the story strikes a strong chord in the adults who read it because it tells a story of a life long friendship and kindness and adults want children to experience the same lessons. I don’t believe that children experience the story the same way adults do. Children are starting to develop friendships for the first time whereas adults have some life long friends that they can associate the relationship between the tree and its boy with. I honestly believe this book relates better to adults than children.

Review:

Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - A Forty-Five Year Celebration

by Carolyn S. Brodie

Once there was a tree... and she loved a little boy.

Thus begins one of the best-known and most memorable stories from the last forty-five years - The Giving Tree, written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein. It was first published in 1964(HarperCollins). At first it was rejected by publishers because of concerns that it fell somewhere between children and adults' literature. It has since, however, been embraced by various audiences and has remained in print almost the entire time since its first publication. A fortieth anniversary edition was released in 2004 that includes a CD of the poetry performed by Silverstein.

A Boy and a Tree

The Giving Tree shares the story of a young boy and his lifetime relationship with a certain apple tree. But it is much more than that. It is also a story of giving (and taking or receiving), friendship, happiness, loyalty, sacrifice, gratitude, happiness, and most importantly - love. The tree ultimately gives everything for the boy without receiving much in return. The theme or message of the book has been interpreted in many different ways. It can be very simply understood by a second grader, or an adult can search for a deeper meaning.

Multiple Talents

Silverstein is also very well known for his children's poetry books and the accompanying recordings done by the author himself. Silverstein's first book, in the trio of children's poetry, is Where the Sidewalk Ends. It was published in 1974 and won the New York Times Outstanding Book Award among others. Where the Sidewalk Ends also provided a fresh new direction for children's poetry books. It was followed by two other volumes of Silverstein's poetry and line drawings: A Light in the Attic (1981) and Falling Up (1996).

Silverstein was a composer, singer, musician, cartoonist, reporter, playwright, illustrator, and author. He wrote for adults as well as children. He began his career as a cartoonist for Stars and Stripes, a publication of the U. S. Army, while he was in the service as a young man. He was born in Chicago in 1930 and died in Key West, Florida, in 1999. The following Web sites provide additional biographical information.

Citation:

Brodie, C. S. (2009). The giving tree by Shel Silverstein--A forty-five year celebration [The giving tree] [book review]. School Library Monthly, 26(1), 22- 24. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibrarymonthly.com/

Uses:

• Use The Giving Tree in a program called "Friends Read Together" to encourage young children to read  to each other.

• During the fall the library could host a harvest party and bob for apples and do fun fall games followed by a reading of the book.