The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein
This book is a total classic. It tells the story of a friendship between a boy and a tree. There are basically three stages in the book. When the boy is a child, the tree is his friend. As the boy grows up, material things become more important to him and he uses up the tree. Once the boy is an old man, he shares companionship with the tree again while sitting on the stump.

I think my kids are still much too young to understand any of the meaning of this wonderful book. Perhaps,  it would be much more appropriate for a seven year old. However, they do enjoy reading about a  boy and about a tree so it does get their attention. The graphics are very simple but at the same time very nicely done and certainly child appropriate. I like the minimalistic look of the book as it goes nicely with the question that this books makes you ask "what are the important things in life?"

This book is definitely one to talk about with your kids. It opens up conversations about friendship, the environment as well as plans for their own lives and style of living.