Take a photo of a barcode or cover
boniaesev 's review for:
The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein
I know this book is controversial for some people, and on a surface level, I get it, because this book is a perfect example of codependency.
When I was first learning how to read, this was among the first books I read as a child. Looking back on it now, this book really had a profound impact on me and perhaps helped me develop or realize my empathy. As a child I interpreted this as a cautionary tale about how not to be selfish and take advantage of others. I saw the tree as my mother, and I said to myself, "I never want to be like that boy, he is so selfish!"
Fast forward to twenty or so years later, I've realized I have a narcissist father and a codependent mother. Now, instead of thinking of myself and how I don't want to be the little boy, I realize I need to figure out how I can not be like the tree I was programmed to be. I used this book to demonstrate to my mother what codependency looks like and how to set boundaries.
I still love this book a lot and keep going back to it after all these years.
When I was first learning how to read, this was among the first books I read as a child. Looking back on it now, this book really had a profound impact on me and perhaps helped me develop or realize my empathy. As a child I interpreted this as a cautionary tale about how not to be selfish and take advantage of others. I saw the tree as my mother, and I said to myself, "I never want to be like that boy, he is so selfish!"
Fast forward to twenty or so years later, I've realized I have a narcissist father and a codependent mother. Now, instead of thinking of myself and how I don't want to be the little boy, I realize I need to figure out how I can not be like the tree I was programmed to be. I used this book to demonstrate to my mother what codependency looks like and how to set boundaries.
I still love this book a lot and keep going back to it after all these years.