Common Sense Note
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 is easy to imagine the tree as a mature, patient mother dependably being there for her child throughout his life. Or is the tree a masochistic female who doesn't know how to set limits? Or could this be a warning about greedily using Mother Nature's resources? But there's little concern that the youngest readers will grasp much negative meaning from this sensitive parable.
Families can talk about the meaning they got from the story. 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?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Peter Lewis
The spare text and the expressive line drawings add to the beauty and solemnity of the story, focusing its power. Silverstein gives a thoughtful look at the cycle of life of the boy. Many images will give readers an ache in their heart: the boy embracing the tree with his chubby arms, the adolescent leaning against the sheltering tree lost in thought. The tree too, goes through stages: from leafy to ripe with fruit to branchless and, finally, stumpy.
A classroom of 7-year-olds was unusually silent after reading it. The silence didn't last long, but an impression had been made. Silverstein challenges readers of all ages to think about how they sometimes take loved ones for granted.
From The Book
Once there was a tree ... and she loved a little boy. And every day the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest. ... And they would play hide-and-seek. And when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade. And the boy loved the tree ... .
Plot Summary:
Shel Silverstein's fable about giving (not always wisely, but deeply) and taking (often without thought but almost always with profound consequences) will stay forever fixed in your mind. It is deservedly one of the best-selling children's books of all time. Both the text and the line drawings are like haiku in their potent simplicity.
Related Books:
Though Silverstein stands alone -- and, fortunately, plenty of his books are available -- if your child liked this book, you might also try Maurice Sendak's Pierre for the younger kids and Edward Lear's A Book of Nonsense for the older ones.
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Social BehaviorSome 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. |
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