The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

I have loved this poetry book for years! The story is heartwarming and really makes one think. I grew up reading lots of Shel Silverstein poetry books as his quirky style and illustrations were hilarious. The short, easy to read aloud poems made me laugh and like poetry. Unfortunately, I have forgotten about these books along the years and didn't remember how great they can be. I recently reread The Giving Tree and was quickly reminded of how poetry can touch your heart.

The story is about a boy and his tree. Much like we are with our parents, the boy asks for lots of things that the tree dutifully provides until there is nothing left. The relationship between the boy and tree is often one-sided as the boy only seems to remember his tree friend when he needed something.

I think this poem is a comment on our sometimes overzealous need to obtain more things instead of cultivating our personal relationships. As an educator, we are often lax in introducing children to poetry because of fears that it will be shunned by boys and hard to understand for all. Silverstein finds a way around this problem and gives a story complete with wit and introspection in poetry format.