A review by book_concierge
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

2.0

I don’t think I get Shel Silverstein. On one level this book is about the gift of generosity; about loving someone so much that you will give all to him. On the other hand it’s about a selfish person who takes everything and gives nothing back. Other than when he is a small child, there’s no evidence at all that the boy is grateful or even appreciates all that the tree gives to him Is this supposed to be an expression of the parent/child relationship? Gosh, I hope not. I hope that as we grow from childhood to adulthood, we, in fact, do appreciate all that our parents give to us. Like I said – I don’t think I get Shel Shilverstein.

The drawings are nice, and would appeal to the picture-book crowd. That gets him 2 stars.