Children’s books come in a multitude of different shapes, sizes and storylines. A majority of the books published for the younger generations tend to focus on the roles that family play in their lives and moral or life lessons which kids will remember and carry with them while growing up. Countless authors try to incorporate such teachings without blatantly stating so. For example in The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, the story conveys many messages that can be interpreted various different ways depending upon the audience. The Giving Tree is about a young boy who develops a relationship with a female tree who cares for him. The boy plays on the tree’s branches and trunk, and eats the apples it provides. While he ages the tree continues giving and the boy consistently takes, spending less and less time with the tree the older he gets- only returning when in need of materialistic items. He sells her apples for money, uses her branches to build a house and cuts her trunk down to build a boat and while providing for the boy, the tree …show more content…
The boy is a clear representation of a negative role model who is greedy and takes but never gives, similar to a child, while the tree is an example of a positive one who gives but eventually goes overboard, and is taken advantage of and left discontent, representing a parent. It taught me that although there are many people who will sacrifice and give for you, you must never become too greedy but instead remain thankful and express gratitude whenever possible. There is an importance of knowing what you need, and not simply what you want. In addition to this, it is necessary to know limits and know how much you can afford to give and take only what you absolutely must so that people in the relationship do not end up