I just love this book. It has a wonderful message and always stuck with me. I read this book so many times that my copy no longer has the cover. I'm sure it's around though. I recommend this for all age groups, especially older elementary readers. Adults will find it fulfilling as well.

Just reading the summary of the book brings me back to the tears I cried long ago when I first read this, and amazingly the emotions are as strong as they ever were. Such selflessness of unconditional love, a love that knows no end, a love that keeps on giving regardless of oneself. This is a love I certainly hope to find. A great and bountiful tree gives all that it has out of its love for a child. Her leaves, her apples, her branches, even her trunk; anything for his happiness. The relationship between the tree and the boy is very much similiar to that between a mother and her child; regardless whether she recieves anything in return she will give all she can, she will offer what she will for the sake of him. In the twilight of his life, he returns, when he is old and gray, when he is weary and his life is lived; he returns to the tree. Despite living what life he lived, he comes back to greatest love he has known. Though when he does, she is as he left her, a stump, a shadow of what she was. She is not bitter, she does not regret, true love is that way. But upon his return, you feel when she is her saddest, when she knows she just a stump, and there is nothing she can give him in coming of his end, but he is tired, and he just wants to rest. And though she no branches, she reaches out to him, and tells him that he can rest on her stump. This book came under much controversy, but I have to say with misty eyes that this is a heartachingly beautiful book. This is possibly my most loved creation by man.

an incredibly sad story which mirrors reality.it is disheartening and sends a terrible message. the boy in this story is unappreciative for years- and even as an old man doesn't value nor cherish this tree. At the end the tree has given so much it is a STUMP. don't read this to your children.

This portrays a female (the tree) destroying herself for an unappreciative male. A horror.

I've read the above comments. Coming from a single mother (alcoholic) family, at times my mom used this book as a weapon. Now, fifteen years later, the tables are turning. It seems as if I should be reading this wonderful sory (on its face that is exactly what it is, for you idiots whom choose to dig further...) and give back a taste of her own medicine. Kill 'em with kindness. Works for me. If you want to psychoanalyze "meaning" define it for yourself, look in the mirror, and DEFINE WHAT YOU SEE. Leave Shel S. out of it.

I beleive that this book is great on many levels! By showing human greed towards the environment and teaching awareness about our everyday actions, Silverstein gives valuable lessons for life with this book. I am glad I experianced it as a child and highly recommend it for any age.

Sometimes I think adults need to go back and read some children's books, even if they don't have kids of their own. Books like the Giving Tree have such a great message that we would do well to remember.

Good story, great principles...

I usually love Shel Silverstein's work, but this is one exception. Reading "The Giving Tree" makes me feel incredibly depressed, even as an adult. I think it's cruel and unusual punishment to read this story to young children because I don't think they have the maturity to really understand the story. With so much great children's literature out there, this is one title you can skip.

The Giving Tree is a book that can be enjoyable you if are in the mood for a slow moving story. It's not bad, but it has some trouble making it's way up the steps. Shel Silverstein is one scary man, but he has a heart.

The story line of this book reminds me of parenting and the capacity of love. If you use this book for open discussion with your child I like it as a tool, but if not I would not add it to my library. The simplicity of the book makes it a good read.

Easy to use. Easy to understand. Kids can relate it to different situations. Easy to find. Always good to have a copy around. Fun to think about (for adults) in the future.

This is a great children's book. It has a great moral to the story and shows the tree/boy relationship to the end. It is really sweet.

My all time favorite book. I go back and read it whenever I begin to lose focus on what is important.

a lousy message