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The Giving Tree

(1964, Fiction - Friendship, Written by Shel Silverstein, Illustrated by Shel Silverstein)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 2, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Classic, sensitive parable about selflessness.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Some may view this tale as depicting a wonderful motherly love, while others may see it as a cautionary tale about the need to set limits or protect the Earth's resources.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Giving Tree

Parents need to know that Silverstein's story really hits an emotional button; readers seem to either love this book or hate it. Some see selfless love as beautiful, even if it's taken to an extreme. It's easy to imagine the tree as a mature, patient mother dependably being there for her child throughout his life. But the tree can also be seen as a masochistic female who doesn't know how to set limits. (Or could the story even be a warning about greedily using Mother Nature's resources?) Still, there's little concern that the youngest readers will grasp much negative meaning from this sensitive parable.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the message the author might be trying send readers and whether kids think it's a good one -- and why. Do you like what the tree does for the boy? Do you think the boy asks too much? Do you feel for the tree? Do you think the boy took her for granted? Would you have behaved differently than the boy did?
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Our Members Say

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See all 6 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Tanni
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 5.0

    I luv it

    I really recommend this book.. That's really true and make me cry Luv it

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    kabahuss
    Lives in Nebraska
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    must have

    Little tikes can read but it will take the older child to actually understand the message... I still cry when I read this one...

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 0.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

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