A review by rinnyssance
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

5.0

I read this book as a child and really loved it. Now, as an adult, it makes me so emotional I can't handle it! Shel Silverstein is one of my favorite children's authors. His books are so emotional and there are so many teachable moments. Was the tree too giving? Was the boy too greedy? Was the ending really happy, when the tree had nothing and the boy was still left feeling like he needed more? There are so many nuanced ways to have a conversation about this story and you can think of a new one each time you read it. The advice can be, "don't take too much." The advice can be, "don't give too much." Whatever the case is, this story is so complex and so beautiful. It's my second favorite book from the author, next to The Missing Piece.