friday book review: the giving tree

the giving tree

by shel silverstein

suggested reading level: ages 4-8

"once there was a tree... and she loved a little boy." this is the beginning of a story of the gift of giving and acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

the story is about a young boy who would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk; this made the tree happy. as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave.

this is a tender story of unforgettable perception, touched with sadness and joy. the illustrations are simple yet entertaining.

i have always loved this book.

i was emotional after reading it to sam the 1st time 4 years ago,

and i find myself feeling the same way reading it this many years later.

i particularly feel the emotion now as i'm desperately hoping for my children to experience the joy of friendship in their preschool & playgroup.

i hope that even in their young years they will have a friend,

but i hope even more that they will learn the skills now that will enable them to be a friend & have a friend in their futures.

and i hope, like the tree in the story, that they will always enjoy giving.

yet i also hope that they can be like the boy at the end of the story...

content with what a friendship offers,

and not constantly needing to want and to take.

i know that phases of life are lonelier than others,

but i hope they always have at least one true friend that will always walk their road with them.

and perhaps they always will...

they have brothers and a sister and cousins. :)