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Most Helpful Favorable Review
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
I love this book!
The lessons are great and I first was read this book 30-some odd years ago, in 2nd grade. I've bought it numerous times because the lesson in it is fanastic and actually changes, the older I get.
posted by mbshus on April 20, 2009
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3 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Why not take all of me?
I have hated this book since I was little. It seems cruel the way the little boy uses the tree for his own needs, never reciprocating, appreciating or even thanking the tree. The only time he comes to see the tree is when he needs something. This is not something tha...Read More
I have hated this book since I was little. It seems cruel the way the little boy uses the tree for his own needs, never reciprocating, appreciating or even thanking the tree. The only time he comes to see the tree is when he needs something. This is not something that we should teach our children. That it is OK to continually take from someone and never give in return. I can also see it in a feminist viewpoint. The tree being a woman who gives all she can, including her own body, for a love that is not returned. I heard on National Public Radio from a woman who wrote a new book on how to teach your children to love reading that Shel wrote this about women and how stupid they were. He did write for Playboy, ya know.Show Less
posted by Anonymous on November 26, 2003
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mbshus
Posted April 20, 2009
I love this book!
The lessons are great and I first was read this book 30-some odd years ago, in 2nd grade. I've bought it numerous times because the lesson in it is fanastic and actually changes, the older I get.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted July 9, 2006
The greatness of the tree
This book 'THE GIVING TREE' by Shel Silverstein is a great book to read to children. It is a sad story but the lesson that it teaches is really valuable. This story speaks about the unconditional love the tree had towards the boy.When the boy was little he would gather the leaves, climb up on her trunk and swing from her branches. She would let him eat her apples and give him shade when he was tired. As he grows older he completely forgets about the tree. He remembers her only when he needs her.But the tree keeps giving him whatever the boy wanted. The man sells all the apples and even cuts her down to build his house. Even then the tree keeps giving whatever he wanted. When I read this book to my children , my daughter who is going to 3rd grade said that it was very mean on the boy's part to keep asking for more and more from the tree. My daughter hated when the boy cut the tree down to build his house. She was in tears when she read that page in the story. She told me that she will never be as mean as that boy . She was infact angry that the boy did not thank the tree even once. I think that this book helped my daughter learn the importance of give and take. I highy recomend readers to read this book to their young ones and also teachers to keep this book in their classrooms. I think it is a great book to share.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted November 26, 2003
Why not take all of me?
I have hated this book since I was little. It seems cruel the way the little boy uses the tree for his own needs, never reciprocating, appreciating or even thanking the tree. The only time he comes to see the tree is when he needs something. This is not something that we should teach our children. That it is OK to continually take from someone and never give in return. I can also see it in a feminist viewpoint. The tree being a woman who gives all she can, including her own body, for a love that is not returned. I heard on National Public Radio from a woman who wrote a new book on how to teach your children to love reading that Shel wrote this about women and how stupid they were. He did write for Playboy, ya know.
3 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted October 7, 2003
Extremely overrated.
This book is boring for my children, and they are huge book-lovers. It is geared more for adults. It should not be a children's book. It's an adult's idea of what a children's book should be. The story contains no real substance. My children never ask me to read this book. Don't bother with this one.
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted February 22, 2010
Should be in everyone's home
I hadn't read it in over 30 years and when I read it to my 5 year old it made me cry. The message is so touching and powerful. Rarely are so few words so moving. Never read it? Haven't read it in years? Pick it up now.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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TGordon
Posted October 5, 2009
GREAT BOOK!
I give this book to all new mothers. Both of my kids enjoy it. Great story.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Raye011
Posted September 1, 2009
The Giving Tree
One of the Best books ever written. I have purchased this book for
both of my children who are now adults and they have handed this book
down to their children. This really teaches you about selfishness.
Great Book2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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JERC
Posted February 15, 2010
Everybody should own this book!
I first was introduced to Shel Silverstein as a child...reading Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree. I give this book as a git to all my nieces and nephews because of its powerful meaning and the dialogue that can occur between parent and child while reading.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Brings back memories
I clearly remember reading this book when I was a child. I really would like to buy this book for my 6 year old sister. I know she will love this book as well.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Bondgirlie
Posted February 6, 2010
Cute, thoughtful story for my 5-8 year olds
Sweet storyline.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Timeless classic
This is a wonderful book!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Third-Graders
Posted December 1, 2009
Review of Giving
In the book there was a boy and an apple tree. The apple tree gave the boy everything that he could give. Almost everyday the boy came to the tree. Soon the boy got older and began to want other bigger things. I liked that even if you're tree you can have a friend. I thought it was good in the story that it showed that all trees can't live forever. It was well thought-out how the title of the book matched what happened in the story. At the end of the book it got a little sadder, so you could understand the lifecycle. It almost felt like I was in the book. If you like books about friendship or love, you will enjoy this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted November 1, 2009
A precious and wonderful book!
This is one of the best books ever written! I recommend it for any age, even a thirteen year old woulld find this book cute, I am in 4th grade and I still love this book! A 10 out of 10 from me!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted July 26, 2009
Classic read!
Touching book to share with children that should be a part of everyone's library.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Classic
This is a book that every child and adult should have in their book case. I love giving this book out as gifts all the time. This book was given to a new wounderful teacher. I know she will use it for years to come.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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The Giving Tree is on my permanent nightstand.
The Giving Tree has been on my bookshelf since I was 12. My grandmother used to read it to us as children. It's a simple story of a boy who visits a tree that is genuinely always there for him. And it's a timeless story about giving, receiving and love. I could read it every day.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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retiredteacherRZ
Posted April 6, 2009
Best Children's Book Ever Written
I read this book for the first time when I had my first child and was very impressed with it. I bought one for my class library (elementary school teacher) and recommended it for the school library. I give it as a gift whenever a child's book is called for. It is well written and thought provoking and a good discussion starter for kids of any age. Its meaning can change as the child grows and the thought processes mature. It has become the favorite book of several people to whom I've given it. It is my favorite children's book and a book that even adults can have reasonable discussions about.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted November 2, 2006
Rather Overrated
I have read this book more times than I care to mention. Many friends and fellow educators have told me what a wonderful book this is. I hate to say, but I don't like it at all. The boy in the story is rather selfish in my opinion the 'friendship' rather onesided. I think many of us have experienced a relationship like this from time to time. Is this a good message for kids?
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted July 19, 2003
Horrible
This is the most astonishing book. It is so mean spirited the way the little creepy kid just takes and takes. This book shows a heartless attitude and I hated it. I cannot imagine why it's so popular.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted December 31, 2001
'Mommy send it back!'
I ordered this books based on the extensive media praise. Read it to my 5yr old child. When asked if she wanted to hear the book again, she said 'NO, mommy send it back'. This is coming from a kid insists each new book be read over and over until its memorized. She was quite disturbed by the theme of 'take until no more'
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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