“The Giving Tree†by Shel Silverstein will always be my favorite childhood book. I can reread each of the pages over and over again, and never forget a word. “The Giving Tree†has attached itself on me, and impacted my childhood years. When I first read “The Giving Tree†at the age of five, I had no particular interest and barely understood the story and meaning. But before I turned seven, the book became my partner, I took it everywhere. This book was my blankie, I read it day and night and each time, the story would hit me harder. I loved how alive the book was and how kind the giving tree was. It amazed me how tree could hold the boy as he was swinging, and the illustrations were so distinct that I longed to be the boy in the book. “The Giving Tree†was the world I wanted to be in, to be able to depend on something and have someone always be there for me to play with. But unlike the boy, I would not go for long trips. That was one thing I didn’t like about the boy in the book. He would go out for long trips, leaving the tree lonely and sad. I remember promising myself that I would never leave my tree alone, I would always be with it and I never wanted to get old, and I would never cut down the tree, even if it meant building a boat like the boy did. I still have my first copy of “The Giving Tree,†the pages are worn out because the book tagged along with me everywhere, but once in a while I still go back and read it. I love how Shel Silverstein uses his words, and how ironic the story turns out in the end. “The Giving Tree†by Shel Silverstein will always have its place in my heart, the little boy, the generous tree, and the apples.
Tags: