The Giving Tree

Shel Silverstein

Feb 2014 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this eBook

As The Giving Tree turns fifty, this timeless classic is available for the first time ever in ebook format. This digital edition allows young readers and lifelong fans to continue the legacy and love of a classic that will now reach an even wider audience.

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

So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. This moving parable for all ages offers a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation.

Shel Silverstein's incomparable career as a bestselling children's book author and illustrator began with Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. He is also the creator of picture books including A Giraffe and a Half, Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?, The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, and the perennial favorite The Giving Tree, and of classic poetry collections such as Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, Every Thing On It, Don't Bump the Glump!, and Runny Babbit.

And don't miss the other Shel Silverstein ebooks, Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic!

Ratings and reviews

My Mother a Teacher and an avid reader. I have all of Shel Silverstein's books except this one. It was autographed by the author and my Mother's beautiful hands would turn back each page as she read it to me so lovingly each day, and each night. Being an educator I recall her being mortified that my "Reading Rocket"was not up above everyone else on her "Parents Night" to my room; we were in the same school. So she would patiently have me read t her each night as she made dinner, or scurried about preparing for another Child's "DISASTER". But her grammar perfect, and annunciation second to none. My Rocket got a little booste! It became a ritual, each afternoon and evening we read together.We had our favorites, and this is was one of them. She died a few years ago and I have moved back in with my Father. I will forever stand in awe of my Father reading to my dying Mom. He could have been reading from anything, it was simply h\the sound of his voice. That was all she needed than.. I am forever arranging the books or flowers in what I hope to be her watchful eyes and in her image. Last year on Mother's Day I read to her from The Giving Tree at her grave. Everyone should have a copy of this book, and if you don't go and by a hard copy. Mine, almost 50 years old to the day was stolen in a robbery of our home. That was as difficult as watching her be sick, slowly going home I guess. Some of the most peaceful moments i have ever had in my life have been just turning the page, with my Mother. Thank you Mom. I Love You.

It's a sad story that does not show the real values a child should learn. It should teach to appreciate your surrounding, but instead, it ends with the tree giving everything and the child never realizing what he did wrong. I would not read this to my kids, it would send a confusing message.

I loved this book from beginning to end; I don't have words to even describe it! The ending was so breath-taking, it was so sad, but it doesn't matter because this book is just amazing!

About the author

Shel Silverstein 's incomparable career as a bestselling children's book author and illustrator began with Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. He is also the creator of picture books including A Giraffe and a Half, Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?, The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, and the perennial favorite The Giving Tree, as well as classic poetry collections such as Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Every Thing On It, Don't Bump the Glump!, and Runny Babbit.