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The content of the book is great, only complaint is it's in black and white.
Let them cut you down and turn you into a boat. Or how about the Self-centered and Narcissistic Taking Boy.I do give it some stars however for the art and illustrations.
There are also some redeeming qualities to the story, but more as a cautionary tale then as one of admiration. They are good and represent the simplicity that should be seen in more children's literature.
This is one of those books that you read as a child and think that it is somehow special or insightful. It is this sort of ideology that has brought our world to the sad state that it is in.This book is just plain violent and abusive and should be renamed The Codependent and Low Self-esteem Tree.
I really don't know if I will let my children read this book Then, reading it as an adult, you realize that the message is questionable and maybe even a little destructive.I think the message of this book is really that you should let people walk all over you, because that is love.
This book represents the saccharine filled superficial message of the 60's that says that true freedom comes from doing whatever you want and that love is allowing others this sort of destructive freedom.
They are only 6 years old. My young friends were quite distrubed by the ending, asking why the man killed the tree that was so helpful. I couldn't answer them. The message of this bood was quite sad. Taking advantage of that which helps, until it can no longer live except in death is quite sad in my book.
The drawings although charming in their way are extremely simple. There are so very many other books for young children dealing with life cycles in a more positive light. This book just seems a bit too sad - the giving in this story is all in one direction. This was given to my girls as a gift for their third birthday. For some that might be the attraction but I prefer more elaborate illustrations. Clearly the story somehow resonates with them but I find it a little disturbing. We must have read it at least fifty times in the past six months by their request. Perhaps a good story to discuss with older children (ten and up) but not my choice for preschoolers.
It's a simple read, but has deep lessons and meaning. As an adult with my own child now, this is the first book that came to mind when choosing bedtime stories for my son. I read this book as a child and it made an impression on me. It taught me to be generous and selfless.
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