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Hello! I am so glad you stopped by to check out this book review!
I have a personal favorite today, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Reflecting on it, I wonder if I love it more than the children do, but then I recall all my experiences of reading this book to a group of children. I can say this is a crowd-pleaser for all ages!
The story centers around the relationship between a boy and a tree. As the boy grows older, the dynamics of the relationship change, all the while, the tree maintaining a love for the boy, ultimately giving all it has to the boy.
I have read this book in my classrooms many times over. I have rarely seen a book that connects with children so quickly and easily. What I find even more intriguing is the way children become so enthralled with the book, even with the lack of color in the illustrations. There is something very important being conveyed in this story that allows children to be so focused on the story without being dazzled by the typical bright colors and active images. The illustrations clearly convey the story matching the words, but in a way that allows the children to connect with the story as much as they are able to connect with the images.
Another interesting quality of this book is the ability of the story to change as the children grow up. Children can continue to enjoy the story and see different meanings in the book as they grow older. As an adult caring for children, it takes on yet another meaning. The first time I read this as an adult to a group of children, I had to work hard to fight back the tears. From my adult perspective, it spoke to me about the lengths that we will go to provide the best for the children around us, whether they are our own children or in our care. It speaks to the human drive to care for the young, giving our all to assist in the child’s successful development.
If you haven’t read this book yet with your child, I highly encourage you to check it out. You can find the book here, here and here. Leave a comment below and share your experience with The Giving Tree! Have you read it your children? Do you remember it from your childhood?