Sometimes you think you know something so well and all of a sudden a light shines to make you question everything you ever thought about it. I loved this week’s book The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein from the moment I first read it. It is a beautiful, simple story about tender, kind, unconditional love. I wanted to share this book, that I have treasured so dearly, with my son. After reading it together, just once, I saw the story through new eyes. This is the really exciting bit of reading a story with another: you see the book from a different perspective.
The Giving Tree is about a boy and a tree. The tree loves the little boy. He plays in the shade of her branches, climbs her trunk, eats her apples and they enjoy their time together.
But years pass and the boy grows up. The boy spends less time with the tree.
Then one day the boy asks the tree for money. All the tree can offer is her apples, so he takes all her apples.
It makes the tree happy to give to the boy she loves but he doesn’t stay around for long. Years later the boy returns to the tree but all he wants is a house. All the tree can offer are her branches, so he takes her branches.
Years go by and the boy returns as he needs a boat but all the tree has left to give is her trunk, so she offers this to the boy and he takes it.
Then, he returns one final time and the tree is distressed as she has nothing left to give. She is just an old stump. However, this time all the boy wants is somewhere to sit and rest his old and weary body. The tree offers a place to sit and she’s happy to be useful to the boy again.
I have always thought that the sentiment of the story is very touching. The tree gives everything she can and when she believes she has nothing left to give she still has something to offer and is reunited with the boy she loves so much. To me, the story was about giving.
The toddler years are not renowned for unconditional compassion and this strand of the story completely passed Burt by. He made me see the story from a completely new perspective. We finished the story and Burt immediately pointed out that the boy never says thank you! He takes and takes and takes and even when the tree thinks she has nothing left to give he takes again. Burt thought the boy was rude and I had to agree with him! The story is about giving but Burt made me realise that it is also about being thankful.
The simplicity of the black and white illustrations appealed to Burt and we have really enjoyed the story but in a way that I hadn’t anticipated. I no longer see it as an emotional tale of a tree, a boy and love. Instead it is a story of a boy who takes and appears to give nothing in return until he returns to spend his final days with the faithful tree. His gratitude is there, but it is unspoken. For my two year old this just wasn’t good enough. He thought the boy should be more obviously thankful and appreciative.
Talk about
The Giving Tree gave us an opportunity to talk about why we say thank you and why these two small words are so important. We also used the story as a starting point for thinking about the people who give to us and who we should be more thankful to. It was also useful for talking about whether someone knows that you are thankful unless you tell them. In our busy lives it feels like there isn’t always time to stop and say those small words of gratitude but we decided that we really like it when someone says thank you to us, so we should make the effort.
You could also use the story to think about environmental issues as we take and take from the natural world and give little back in return.
Here are some ideas or questions that you might want to use to start a discussion in your family. You know your family and which questions they are ready to tackle now and which can be left for another day:
- Who has given something to you today, whether it is time, a thing or even a smile?
- Did you say thank you for the things you were given today?
- Do you always say thank you when someone gives you something?
- How does it feel when you give someone something and you get nothing in return?
- How does it feel when someone says thank you to you?
- Is saying thank you always enough?
- What else can you do to show someone you appreciate the things they do for you?
- Can you be thankful without saying it aloud?
- What are you most thankful for?
- What do you like most about giving to others? Should you always expect a thank you?
Crafts and activities for kids
The Giving Tree inspired us to think about the people we love and those who give to us. We thought about the family members that give their time, cuddles, gifts and love and decided to make our own Giving Tree to remind us of the people we shouldn’t take for granted.
Have a look at the Pinterest Board full of crafts and activities for kids…
- Read and Create The Giving Tree Family Tree
- Meet the Dubiens Tree Snack
- Nature of Homeschooling The Giving Tree
- Wine and Glue The Giving Tree
- The Imagination Tree Kindness Elves
What have you been reading this week?
i’ve always wanted to properly read some shel silverstein! i might just have to now.
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I think The Giving Tree is a lovely place to start.
What a fabulous review and a good way to learn about thank you. x
Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed it
What a lovely post, I really like the sound of the book. I love that Burt pointed out himself that the boy never said thank you and he is quite right, what a great way to help little ones understand the importance of thanking. A lovely list of resources too.
Jennifer recently posted…A massive cross stitch accomplishment
Thank you, I love how he picked up on something that is part of his own life.
This sounds like a great book and I love the simple illustrations.
Mummy of Two recently posted…Protecting the Little A’s on the internet with TalkTalk Homesafe
Thank you
What a a fantastic book with fantastic images. I have noted the author as I think we need one for our book shelf. I agree with your little boy. That he’s an ungrateful taker. Children’s views are awesome! If only we could all live through their eyes! x
Thank you it is definitely a keeper and I hope it makes its way to your bookshelves soon
You’ve actually made me cry a little *sniff*. I’m off to order this book right away, do you have an Amazon link? x
Liz Burton recently posted…Do you know your nose?
Thanks Lizzie. It can be a bit of a tear jerker if you don’t have a toddler constantly pointing out the ‘rude’ boy! If you click on the link in the post or the image they are both amazon links xx
Sorry I found it! Ordered, thank you x
Liz Burton recently posted…Do you know your nose?
Such a lovely post! I’m with you guys, I felt sorry for that tree reading your post. There’s an eco-message in there too. Lovely sentiment.
Actually Mummy… recently posted…Ask GG: 7 reasons why I will move to another country if Gove gets his way
This is why I love this book, people see so many different things in it yet it appears to be so simple. Thank you.
Gosh it looks really beautiful but so sad! I think my son would worry about the boy/man being ungrateful too. Lovely illustrations. x
Emily recently posted…Never leave your straighteners unattended near children (sponsored post)
Thank you. It completely depends on what you see in the book but it can be emotional. Poor old tree *sniffs*
That made me well up, must be having a sentimental day, love the illustrations, will be looking out for his to add to my amazon wishlist!
Sonya Cisco recently posted…My Hormones Bought An Owl Dress
*passes tissues* thank you x
We have this book and it always surprises me how much the kids enjoy it!
That would take me a couple of times reading it to myself before sharing it with my children (says emotional me!). A very important message though. I’ve not heard of this book before, I think we will try to find it in the library. Thank you x.
Bek recently posted…Paper Dolls
It sounds like a great book. One of my friends has always recommended this one to me too
anna recently posted…Helping Your Child With Their Reading
This sounds like a beautiful story as well! I am really enjoying this series of yours. Xx
Mummy Glitzer recently posted…Pain and Cuddles
Thank you! It is lovely to share some of my favourites with my son and then with all of you x
Ohhhh I love it. I should get this for Kyd.
Alice Hassall recently posted…Positivity, Medicinal Gin and ‘Life Limiting’ Spinal Cord Cysts!
This book sounds great Kirsty, lovely illustrations too. Thank you for sharing. Must try and find time to write book review posts
What a lovely book, I may have to look into this author, thank you!
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful looking book! really lovely….
This book sounds wonderful, I’ve never seen it before. We have been enjoying some new books here this week, I shall have to take some photos so I can share them.
That would be great! The linky opens every Wednesday and is always open for a week so link up when you are ready. I love to see what everyone is reading!
Cherish moments like that. I miss not being able to share books with my teens.
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I’m loving every minute of it T x
Louisa says
What a wonderful book to share. it was interesting that you both took a different meaning from it and you could learn from each others opinion.
Louisa recently posted…A Valentines tree
I agree with Burt! My first thoughts were take, take, take!
A lovely story. I have never heard of this book.
Thank you for your thoughts - a great resource for good dinner conversation.
this book looks lovely! x
Fritha Strickland recently posted…Collecting Stamps
I’ve never heard of Shel Silverstein but now I want to go and find out more about him!
Jenny recently posted…Little Adventures at the Natural History Museum
What a fabulous post. Inspirational. Thank you for sharing - it’s a lovely book.
TwinsplusTwo recently posted…It’s the SMALL things
Love the sound of this book. It’s not one we’ve read in our family but it’s definitely next on my list for both my son and my daughter. The importance of thank you is such a pertinent lesson for our little ones and this book and the discussion points you’ve highlighted sound like such a lovely way to talk about those two little words. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
Ordinary Cycling Girl recently posted…12 challenges for 2014
What a fab book. I also saw your handprint craft and love it
Jen aka The Mad House recently posted…Are you supporting Sports Relief - Dial for Davina Day
What an interesting and thought-provoking story depicting the unending greed of humans.
VaiChin recently posted…Craft-A-Robot
What a super review of a wonderful sounding book. I’ve not read it before but would love to now.
Emma (My Little 3 and Me) recently posted…Tips For Coping With A Power Cut
What a lovely sounding, beautiful looking book, I have such a soft spot for childrens books to this day. x
Sarah Bailey recently posted…Valentines from Oriflame
This book looks awesome hun.
The man almost looks like a younger version of ‘The man in the hat’ from Curious George
Lotte xo
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Lotte recently posted…HotSquash - Stay Warm in the Winter and Cool in the Summer
such a lovely story!
Kara recently posted…Gentle Bathtime Products
Aww, I nearly cried by the end of this! A great review.
Michelle recently posted…Two Of A Kind [Project 365:2014 - Day 43]
That looks like such a good book! x
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