Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree
Author: Shel Silverstein
ISBN: 108826
Publication Date: 1964
Rating:
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 1

4.5 stars, based on 1 rating
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Write a Review

30 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Bibliocrates avatar reviewed The Giving Tree on + 252 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is my all-time favorite childhood book!
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is such a wonderful childrens book! Very simple to read and with such a powerful message!
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The book The Giving Tree is about love and support. It's a wonderful tool to show children about giving and receiving, and being thankful. Love this book
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a wonderful book!!! My daughter has read it over and over again and enjoyed it everytime!
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 36 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is such a wonderful and special book. A true classic. A must read.
Sava avatar reviewed The Giving Tree on
Helpful Score: 1
This book teaches that it is okay to take and take, and if you have somebody who is willing to give to you unconditionally, you should take and take some more. Not at all the message that I want to give to my children.
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 55 more book reviews
Hardback/children's, a very endearing story about a tree's love for a boy and all that it was willing to give to him because of that love.
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 41 more book reviews
There are some critics who say this book is all about man (the boy) taking everything from woman (the tree). Before I heard that, I was so in love with this book! To give unconditionally is beautiful. Then I thought, I was mad at the boy for never even saying "thank you" to the tree. Now, I'm not sure what I think. But, if you want to teach your children about giving, then this is certainly a book that will teach it.
melsywsou avatar reviewed The Giving Tree on + 2 more book reviews
This book teaches the value of being grateful. A good story for children & adults alike.
reviewed The Giving Tree on
The unconditional love of an apple tree for a young boy and the boy's journey through life are examined with poignancy and tenderness in this illustrated children's classic.
waterboysgirl avatar reviewed The Giving Tree on + 11 more book reviews
I THINK IT A CUTE STORY FOR A YOUNGER CHILD THAT TAKES AND TAKES AND NEVER GIVES BACK. CUTE FOR TEACHING A CHILD.
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 7 more book reviews
The boy is a selfish, self-centered brat. The tree is a co-dependent enabler. Glad the tree was happy in the end, but they both would have been happier if the tree had taught the kid not to be a jerk.
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 11 more book reviews
I've always loved this book and I'm excited to read it to my daughter!
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 6 more book reviews
I discovered Shel Silverstein as a preschool educator, before I had children. His poetry, the books the Giving Tree and Missing Piece are all wonderful and inspiring. I think all children should be read The Giving Tree and The Missing Piece as it provides valuable life lessons. I can't get through The Giving Tree without crying at the end!!
imdunn avatar reviewed The Giving Tree on + 8 more book reviews
this story teaches that you can take and take from someone until they have nothing left. it leaves on the note, is it right? should you take and take and take from someone until you have nothing left?

a good eye opener to teaching your kids not to be greedy.... a definite must have in your collection forever.
reviewed The Giving Tree on
One of my childhood favorites, I'm thrilled that my girls (age 4 and 6) love it as much as I do!
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 29 more book reviews
A great classic!
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 9 more book reviews
A classic that every child should have a copy of. Has a good lesson in the story.
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 12 more book reviews
A story so wonderfully full of love and affection that you forget that the tree is not the child's parent.
mpmarus avatar reviewed The Giving Tree on + 133 more book reviews
A classic. Every child should read this book.
stoon3 avatar reviewed The Giving Tree on + 4 more book reviews
This has always been a childhood favorite book of mine, now I am excited to share it with my little girl! Thanks...Jenn
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 28 more book reviews
A great story about the power of love.
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 15 more book reviews
a must have for every child's library
reviewed The Giving Tree on
A wonderful book for my daughter!
kendrawarstler avatar reviewed The Giving Tree on + 11 more book reviews
Such a great book by an amazing Author. He is such a legend in his writings, and as a child i remember reading his books and loving each one. This is one I read to my kids, and they also greatly enjoy it. Shel Silverstein does an amazing job with this book.
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 2 more book reviews
I just love Shel Silverstein books. So uplifting and fun to read!
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 3563 more book reviews
"Once there was a tree . . . and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk . . . and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave.

This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.
reviewed The Giving Tree on + 18 more book reviews
PlEASE I need this book please put it on!!!
BoxerBabe avatar reviewed The Giving Tree on + 21 more book reviews
I didn't like this book. I thought it was too selfish and sad. I know that's the whole point of it, to teach about giving, etc., but I didn't care for it and neither did my kids.
Luvbug avatar reviewed The Giving Tree on + 225 more book reviews
From inside of book cover:

"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated bythe gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.

Every day the boy would come to the treee to eat her apples, swing fromher branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.

This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created amoving parable for readers of all ages that offrs an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.