The Giving Tree-Shel Silverstein August 20, 2007
“Once there was a tree and she loved a little boy.” And so it begins. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a children’s classic that takes us on a trip through life and as life itself, it isn’t always bright and cheerful. After I’ve read the book to students (usually around Mother’s Day), I ask their opinions about the story. “Did you like the boy?” “Did you like the tree?” “Do you know anyone who gives without getting anything back like the tree in the story?” (My favorite answer, by the way, to this question was “Yeah, my dog.” Well, you can’t win them all.) And interestingly, the student’s seem to really like the boy in The Giving Tree. With kids, it sometimes is “all about me.” I, also, ask if the pictures would have been better in color. The younger students pretty much agree they would be better in color, but the older students feel the black and white illustrations are necessary for the atmosphere of the book. Again, a book for all. “Sit down, Boy, sit down and rest. And the boy did.” And so it ends.
The Giving Tree
Written and Illustrated by Shel Silverstein
Accelerated Reader RL 2.6
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