The Giving Tree
Author: Shel Silverstein
Genre: Fable, Folk Tales, and Myths
Publisher: Harper & Row
Copyright Date: 1964
Number of Pages: 64
Awards: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Book
Grade Level: K-2
Summary:
The story of the tender relationship between a young boy and the tree that loves him. Each day the boy visits the tree but as he begins to grow older the visits become few and far between. Once the boy is grown he only visits the tree when he needs something and because of the love the tree has for the boy she gladly offers all she has until there is nothing left.
Use in Teaching:
The Giving Tree can be used to help young children understand to be thankful. Students might have a writing prompt "How can I be more giving" or "How can I thank those who are giving to me?" The Giving Tree could also be used in a science lesson for learning the parts of the tree (leaves, apples, trunk, and branches).
3 Bookmarks
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2 Bookmarks
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1 Bookmark
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0 Bookmarks
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Comments
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Plot
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These books consist of a well-developed plot with includes all five
elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling
action, and resolution).
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These books have a defined
plot that might be lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.
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The books have a weak plot that is difficult to follow and/or is
missing two of the five elements of plot structure.
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The books do not have a defined plot structure which leaves the
reader trying to guess the purpose of the story.
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2
Bookmarks:
The moral behind the story makes it difficult to rate but some of the
elements of the plot structure seem to get a little jumbled and it is
difficult to distinguish them from each other.
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Character Development
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These books have well rounded,
believable characters with sufficient depth and personality.
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Characters in these books are fairly well rounded but might be
lacking in depth or personality, or believability.
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Characters in these books are underdeveloped and lacking detail
needed to have depth and believability.
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Characters are evident but not developed.
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3 Bookmarks:
Despite a main character of the book being portrayed as a tree the
characters are believable with individual personality. The tree can be interpreted
as a mother figure.
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Pacing
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The story moves and flows
freely and does not feel rushed or too slow.
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The story mostly moves and flows freely with occasional instances of
being to slow or too fast.
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The story often feels like it is moving too fast or too slow.
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The pacing is entirely off causing the story to feel disjointed or
illogical.
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3 Bookmarks:
The pacing for this book is slow but it is deliberate. The slow pace
doesn’t hurt the story it adds to the feel and mood of the story.
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Overall
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These are excellent books and
are highly recommended.
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These are good books are recommended.
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These books are okay and would only be recommended with reservations.
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These books are considered poor choices and are not recommended.
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3 Bookmarks:
Such a tender and sweet book with some sad overtones it’s hard not to
love the tree and the book as well.
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Great review, Shel Silverstein is one of my favorite authors. The picture on the cover of this book immediately makes me think of the relationship of a parent and a child. The child is looking up at the tree just like my youngest daughter looks up at me when she wants to be picked up. His illustrations, although not super complex still show so much emotion for me.
ReplyDeleteGreat book choice! I remember reading some of Shel Silverstein's books when I was very young. I haven't read any in a long time and seeing the picture of this book and your review and summary makes me want to go get the book and read it!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sweet and emotional book. I think that Shel Silverstien is brilliant. I really like your ideas of how to use this in the classroom. Connecting this book to science and having them understand the parts of the tree and what each part can be used for is very creative.
ReplyDelete