Once there was little tree…
I couldn’t not post about this beautiful book by acclaimed children’s book author Shel Silverstein. If you’ve ever seen any of Silverstein’s books, you can tell they’re quite American in nature but the messages transcend culture differences and this book in particular is beautiful and has a lot to say.
I’ve been admiring it at work for some time now and had it out on my ‘beautiful books’ table. But it wasn’t until my colleague Michelle came in to see me that my interest piqued. Upon hearing Michelle’s stunned gasp; she told me the story of how she has been trying to get her hands on a copy of a book. Years ago, an American boy at church (who she was madly in love with) told her the story of The Giving Tree. And it was his storytelling which made her fall for him even more. Of course in hindsight, it was merely a passing crush. But this experience cemented her love for the book and now everytime she sees the book she is hit by such a feeling of nostalgia and happiness; she has to buy the book.
“Once there was a little tree … and she loved a little boy.
So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.
Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk … and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.
This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.”
THE GIVING TREE
Shel Silverstein
978-1846143830
Partcular Books
December 2010
£12.99
