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The Giving Tree
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The Giving Tree Hardback - 1964

by Shel Silverstein; Shel Silverstein (Illustrator)

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This story of a boy who grows to manhood, and of a tree that gives him her bounty through the years, is a moving parable about the gift of giving and the capacity to love.

About this book

Written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree is a children´s picture book that tells the life stories of a female apple tree and a boy who are able to communicate with each other. In very few words with minimalist drawings, Silverstein´s popular parable explores not only the gift of giving, but also one´s capacity to love.  

The Giving Tree received much recognition and praise, making lists such as "Top 100 Picture Books" by School Library Journal, "100 Greatest Books for Kids" by Parent & Child magazine, and "Best Children´s Books" by Goodreads as well as ranking 14th on the "All-Time Bestselling Children's Books" by Publishers Weekly. It has been translated into more than 30 languages.

Summary

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Reader reviews for The Giving Tree

From the publisher

From Shel Silverstein, New York Times bestselling author of Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic, comes a poignant picture book about love and acceptance, cherished for over fifty years. This classic is perfect for both young readers and lifelong fans.

"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy."

So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. This moving parable for all ages offers a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation.

The Giving Tree is a meaningful gift for milestone events such as graduations, birthdays, and baby showers.

Shel Silverstein's incomparable career as a bestselling children's book author and illustrator began with Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. He is also the creator of picture books including A Giraffe and a Half, Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?, The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, and the perennial favorite The Giving Tree, and of classic poetry collections such as Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, Every Thing On It, Don't Bump the Glump!, and Runny Babbit plus Runny Babbit Returns.

From the rear cover

"Once there was a tree . . . and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk . . . and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older, he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave.

Since it was first published fifty years ago, Shel Silverstein's moving parable for readers of all ages has offered an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

First edition identification

With only 5,000-7,000 copies, the first edition of The Giving Tree was published by Harper & Row in 1964. The dust jacket on first editions list the original price of $2.50.

Details

  • Title The Giving Tree
  • Author Shel Silverstein; Shel Silverstein (Illustrator)
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition /
  • Pages 64
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher HarperCollins, New York, NY
  • Publication date 1964-10-07
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Dust Cover, Illustrated
  • ISBN 9780060256654 / 0060256656
  • Weight 0.98 lbs (0.44 kg)
  • Dimensions 10.1 x 7.8 x 0.6 in (25.65 x 19.81 x 1.52 cm)
  • Age range 04 to 08 years
  • Grade levels P - 3
  • Reading level 530
  • Themes
    • Holiday: Christmas
    • Theometrics: Secular
    • Topical: Family
    • Topical: Home School
  • Category Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction
  • Library of Congress subjects Trees, Generosity
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2003270066
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

Citations

  • Hornbook Guide to Children, 01/01/2003, Page 341
  • People Weekly, 04/15/2013, Page 53
  • Publishers Weekly, 04/14/2003, Page 0
  • PW Notes and Reprints, 04/14/2003, Page 73
  • School Library Journal, 01/01/2015, Page 63

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The Giving Tree
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardback
Condition
Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060256654 / 0060256656
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1
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Harper & Row, 1964-01-01. Hardcover. Acceptable. 10x7x0.
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The Giving Tree
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The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

  • Used
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  • Hardback
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Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060256654 / 0060256656
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Harper & Row, 1964-01-01. Hardcover. Good. 10x7x0.
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The Giving Tree
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The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

  • Used
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  • first
Condition
Very good
Edition
First Edition
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060256654 / 0060256656
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HarperCollins. First Edition. Very Good. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
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The Giving Tree
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • first
Condition
Acceptable
Edition
First Edition
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060256654 / 0060256656
Quantity available
1
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HarperCollins. First Edition. Acceptable. With dust jacket. The item might be beaten up but readable. May contain markings or highlighting, as well as stains, bent corners, or any other major defect, but the text is not obscured in any way.
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The Giving Tree
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

  • Used
  • Very good
  • first
Condition
Very good
Edition
First Edition
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060256654 / 0060256656
Quantity available
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Description:
HarperCollins. First Edition. Very Good. With dust jacket. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
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Item price
A$8.74
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The Giving Tree
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

  • Used
  • Very good
  • first
Condition
Very good
Edition
First Edition
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060256654 / 0060256656
Quantity available
7
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Description:
HarperCollins. First Edition. Very Good. With dust jacket. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
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Item price
A$9.27
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The Giving Tree
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

  • Used
  • Very good
  • first
Condition
Very good
Edition
First Edition
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060256654 / 0060256656
Quantity available
3
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Item price
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Description:
HarperCollins. First Edition. Very Good. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$9.38
Free Delivery to USA
The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060256654 / 0060256656
Quantity available
223
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Description:
Harper & Row, 1964. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Item price
A$9.54
Free Delivery to USA
The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060256654 / 0060256656
Quantity available
21
Seller
Item price
A$9.54
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Harper & Row, 1964. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$9.54
Free Delivery to USA
The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Hardback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060256654 / 0060256656
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$9.54
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Harper & Row, 1964. Hardcover. Very Good. Disclaimer:Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$9.54
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