The Giving Tree
4:42 PM
As a boy grows into an old man, there is a tree growing with him, always ready to give to the boy. Ever since he was a boy, the tree allowed him to swing on its branches and eat its apples. As the boy grows older, his needs grow bigger but the tree is always willing to happily give to the boy. As life continues, priorities change for the boy and he starts a family. The tree, now a trunk, is left alone for a long time. As the boy returns as an old man, the giving tree is sad because it has nothing left to give. However, the tree becomes happy once it realizes that it can still give its stump for the old man to rest.
Opinion/Critique
I've always remembered this book as a classic because no matter what age I read it, I'm always reminded of what it means to be truly giving. I think Silverstein did an exceptional job in delivering a meaningful message in such a simple yet direct way.
Classroom application
Although the sentences might be considered too easy at the third grade level, I think the length of the book makes it applicable for that age. The ending provides the opportunity of asking students what giving means to them and how it may compare to the meaning of giving in this story.  |
| Silverstein, S. (1992). The giving tree. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. |
Genre: Picture, Fiction
Grade level: 1-3
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