The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a classic children’s story that I’ve recently read to my little baby. My daughter is now 5½ months old. I read her The Giving Tree Tuesday and Wednesday before her naps. Unlike my daughter’s favourite, Goodnight Moon, this is a story I read as a child. The copy I have now is my husband’s.It’s kind of sad. When I was younger, I remember thinking of it as sweet. I’ve read it to her twice and I feel like I’m getting emotional each time. I know it’s silly, but the tree does so much for the boy and I feel like he just takes advantage of her. I talked to my husband about it and basically he said it’s a story about unconditional love. I know I would certainly give everything of myself for my child. Yet, I feel like the boy ought to appreciate the tree. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being silly in my sleep-deprived state… or perhaps I’ve grown cynical in adulthood.
