Hug This Tree: The Giving Tree
March 24, 2008 by Jennifer
I know it’s not a real tree. I’m just feeling hopeful for the planet; what with spring arriving and all.
Honestly, wasn’t Shel Silverstein just way ahead of his time. I mean The Giving Tree was written in 1964. 64 people! That’s incredible. It’s so forward thinking; covering consumption and the need for things. The ability to destroy nature for said things. And yet, of course, in the end nature, or the tree, just keeps on giving. It hard to believe that Silverstein had such a hard time getting it published. No one wanted it at first. Thank goodness for that one publisher who did want it.
It’s just a book, but it feels like life. I choked up as a kid when I heard it, and it still gets me now when I read it to Cedar. This book is a great way to launch into discussions about what nature has to offer us, and how we can choose to act in return. Tonight get out The Giving Tree (you have it right) and give it another read. Read it with your kids.
Hate to say, but the story is not about consumption, it’s about selflessness. It’s about love not the environment. It uses the tree to serve a point.
It is a great story – you got that right.
Hey Nick, thanks for the comment. I’m not sure though. I think sometimes the meaning of a story depends on the life of the kid who hears it. I agree it’s got selflessness written all over it, and as a kid that’s all I thought. My 7 year old son, the massive green head, couldn’t believe that someone would chop down a tree friend, because of the eco impact. He slanted it differently than I did as a kid.
I have to agree with Nick, but I also ‘hear’ what your son is saying. Reading the story my heart sinks every time when the tree is chopped down. But it’s about sacrifice, sacrificing everything for the happiness of another. There is no greater love.
http://givingtree2009.blogspot.com/
This book has been a classic in our family. Give it a try before you go judging this book by its cover.