Comments (49)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 49 items
Jun 12, 2023JENNYS1509 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
My 4yo grandson watched a video of this book being read - I only caught part of it….. I cried the first time I read it - totally caught me off guard…. I loved the story and it’s message - my grandson really enjoyed it a lot too. It may be…
Jan 21, 2022pacl_teens rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
"Published by Particular books 'The Giving Tree' by Shel Silverstein truly grasps the feel of how hard it is to please a needy person in the twenty-first century. This story follows the life of an apple tree and a young teenage boy, as…
Feb 20, 2021andecira rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This is an excellent book but I can't give it 5 stars because it's just so depressing. I agree with others here that it's really more for adults - or at least older children - than young children. I don't think a young child will grasp the…
Jan 21, 2021
I saw this book when my teacher read it before i love the book
Jan 08, 2021FloraWest rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
I really like Shel Silverstein and I really dislike this book. Give of yourself until there is literally nothing left is a terrible message. Of course you can read it as "what a selfish boy to take and take and what bad bad choices…
Sep 22, 2020
The Giving Tree is such an inspirational book for all ages. The book is about a tree who has everlasting love for a little boy and as he grows up the tree gives him anything to make him happy. The tree gives him apples, branches, the…
Jun 27, 2020
not available
Jul 26, 2019sweetwildhoney rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Love the story and heartfelt emotions inspired by such simplicity! A tale for both children and adults as often we take for granted the love we are given. "Empathy", as another has commented is an important lesson and "Sacrificial Love"…
Jul 24, 2019LCFShaw rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I think this story is appropriate for parents, but not young children. It's a story of giving all of yourself to the point of destruction. The tree gives everything it has until it it only a stump, and the boy never shows love or…
May 20, 2019elfiereads rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Love the message
Feb 17, 2019happyphi rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
One of my all time childhood favourites! The whole story progresses at a nice rate, which relates a lot to reality. It's written thoughtfully and easy to read with black and white illustrations. HOWEVER, please beware of a sad…
Dec 20, 20181aa rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Such a delightful and touching tale! And its so short! The oddity of the tree portrayed as a saint, and the contrast with a good boy, really emphasizes the limitations of humans.
Dec 13, 2018deb_on_the_web rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is my most favorite kids's book EVER. Honestly, I feel like every single household should have this book, regardless of if they have children at all. This book is incredibly meaningful for every human at all ages. Shel Silverstein…
Aug 24, 2018JCLBeckyC rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
One of my all-time favorite books. Some might say the Tree and the Boy have a co-dependent relationship, and I get it. In real life it's not healthy to give and give and give of yourself to someone who doesn't ever reciprocate. But I think…
Mar 16, 2018Linyarai rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I thought this was a beautiful and touching story.
AzzieKay
Feb 22, 2017AzzieKay rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
After reading some of the reviews of the book, I have to say I love this book. It's a great conversation book. Yes the boy took and he took. He learns a valuable lesson in the end. Some say it's teaches negative thingsbut as a parent you…
Jan 16, 2017mammothhawk229e rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
I couldn't understand why boy never give back throughout his life & now I see as elder abuse.
Dec 08, 2016Nymeria23 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I don't know how or why I've only just now read this. It's short but packs a lot of emotion. Honestly it made me kind of sad and teary even though it's a children's book. Why oh why does the boy have to take and take until the tree has…
Jun 24, 2016paakhi rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Great story about relationship between a boy and tree and how the boy changed when he grew up.
Apr 04, 2016Moronic_1 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Every time I read this tree things happen: I run outside and hug every tree I meet. And then I reexamine the trees in my life. And then I vow to be a better tree!
_Alicorn_
Nov 30, 2015_Alicorn_ rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
My son loves this book. He is 3 so not sure of his thoughts HOWEVER I change the wording in parts and at the end I actually add a spiel about the "boy" apologising for taking so much from the tree and not appreciating her sooner or at all…
bhrywang
Oct 15, 2015bhrywang rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I borrowed this book based on the very good review. however, my 2 years old son seems like not quite understand the concept, therefore, show very minimum interest on the book. It's not his favor book at his age.
Aug 01, 2015rswcove rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
This is a vile cruel disgusting book. it venerates selfishness and teaches entitlement and has a nasty passive aggressive undercurrent about the whole thing. I would take an axe to this book- in the spirit of the book of course.
Jun 29, 2015TianaH rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A lovely book for kids and parents.
Jun 29, 2015jrhaasdyk1 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Definitely not just for kids. A very different Silverstein, but very satisfying for fans of this author. It will make you reconsider your role in your relationships. What is love, really?