The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (1964, Hardcover)

This was one of my FAVORITE books in gradeschool almost 30 years ago! I still remember it well. I would check it out often from the school library. The tree was SO KIND to the little boy. I couldn't understand why the boy didn't return the kindness to the tree as he grew older! Couldn't he see the tree loved him?? In the very beginning he was nice to the tree and would swing from its branches and rest in its shade- they loved each other and spent time together. But as time went on he just took, and took, and TOOK everything the tree had to offer- and he offered nothing in return.

But surprisingly, the tree did NOT get mad at the boy and continued to show LOVE and generosity in every way it had! In the end, the boy realized the error of his ways, and went back to the tree once more. Only then, the boy was a shriveled up old man, and the tree, reduced to a stump, had nothing more to give. Very pitiful tale. I really don't know why I loved the story so much, because it made me cry! I wanted so much for that little boy to realize, before it was too late, that the tree LOVED him and NEEDED him, and that he should have been NICER to the TREE!

As an adult, I can appreciate the moral tale and parable hidden in the story. Couldn't have been better written or illustrated. Very touching, and to the point. This book should be part of every fine children's library.