Module 1-The Giving Tree

Citation:
Silverstein, S. (1964). The Giving Tree. United States: Harper Collins Publishers.

Summary:
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a story about a tree and a boy. The little boy and the tree are great friends. In the beginning the boy comes often to play on the branches and play in the leaves. As time progress the boy grows and his needs change and the tree continues to try to help the boy. At the end the old man returns to the tree which is only a stump and he sits and stays for a while.

My Opinion:
My opinion of this book is that the book tries to evoke emotion in the reader by going through the stages of life. As the boy grows and his needs change the tree tries to accommodate the boy’s needs and the boy uses up the tree. The overall meaning to me is that life changes but I do like the reoccurring theme that the tree is always there for the boy is reminiscent of a parent and a child. I think that this book is a good book with illustrations that help convey the meaning of the text in a simplistic way. Although, I feel that this book will have more meaning for an adult than it will a child.

Reviews:

(2003) [Review of book Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein]. Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. Retrieved from http://contentcafe2.btol.com/ContentCafeClient/ReviewsDetail.aspx

Horn Book Guide Reviews

This book about a boy and a generous tree, who gives him all she has, has long been cherished as a tale of unconditional, selfless love, and likewise condemned as a story of complete codependency. Its controversial themes now live on in a new format, with the same short text per page and evocative line drawings now made larger for easier sharing with a group. Copyright 2003 Horn Book Guide Reviews

Uses for the library:
This book could be used in a library in a lesson on different types of illustrations. This illustrator uses simple drawings to convey the text. This book could also be used as part of an author study, where we discuss how Shel Silverstein's books are similar and how they are different in the style of writing.