The Giving Tree, first published in 1964, is a children's book written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein. This book has become one of Silverstein's best known titles and has been translated into many languages.

Storyline

The story is a short moral tale about a relationship between a young boy and a tree in a forest. It tells the account of how the tree loves the boy, and helps the boy with his needs throughout his life, from the boy's childhood until his golden years.

The tree constantly gives of itself to the boy, until, at the end of its life, the tree is a stump - a mere fraction of what it was physically; even in this state, the boy and the tree can enjoy each other's company. The boy (now an old man) sits for a while on the tree's stump.

Analysis

As suggested by the title, the book is a tale of true unconditional love and generosity. The tree gives the boy all it has because it loves the boy. The tree has been with the boy since he was a little child. No matter what the tree gives and gives until theres nothing left. What does the tree get in return? Nothing but the love from a boy that took everything to make him happy. The tree also gets the joy of giving, hence the name the giving tree

External links

• Book text

Children's books | 1964 books