Story Line
“The Giving Tree” is a timeless story relevant to children’s lives as it teaches the importance of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. The book explores the theme of building self-esteem by highlighting the happiness of giving to others. The main idea is centered around a little boy’s relationship with a tree, with the tree continuously giving the boy all he wants during his life. (Silverstein 17). The conflicts in the book come from the tree’s desire to make the boy happy, even if it means giving up everything it has. The book’s setting is a natural environment, and it connects to the story by emphasizing the interconnectedness between humans and nature. The book also presents ideas for children to consider, such as the value of giving and the significance of taking care of the environment. The lessons in the book are represented through the tree’s selflessness, and the book promotes diversity by showing that kindness and generosity are universal values.
Characters
The book only has two main characters, the young boy and the tree, but they both represent different stages of life. The book does not necessarily explore cultural diversity, but it does showcase the diversity of human emotions and the impact of relationships on individuals. Both the boy and the tree display physical, emotional, and personality traits that children can identify themselves with and relate to.
Illustrations
The illustrations in the book are simple and black and white, but they effectively capture the emotions and actions of the characters. The illustrations are true to life, and they add to the book’s enjoyment by providing visual aids to support the text. The illustrations appropriately match the words on the page, and they do not contain any stereotypes. The book’s illustrations represent the setting, and they impact the story’s ambiance by conveying the characters’ emotional journey.
General Considerations
“The Giving Tree” is a book that can be read enthusiastically because of its heartwarming story and universal message. Children can be involved in the book by discussing the themes and characters, as well as participating in activities that encourage kindness and generosity. The book can be expanded into other areas of the curriculum, such as science and environmental studies. The book contains developmentally appropriate vocabulary, and it also utilizes literary devices such as repetition and personification. Overall, “The Giving Tree” is a quality children’s book that effectively teaches valuable life lessons through an engaging story and relatable characters.
Work Cited
Silverstein, Shel. The Giving Tree. Harper Collins, 2014, Web.