Feb 07 2011
Video: The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein
I remember seeing this animated version of Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree” as a four-year-old child with my mother at the University of Oregon in the early 1970s. In fact, it’s one of my earliest memories.
“The Giving Tree” is simple enough for a child to understand, yet rich enough for an adult to appreciate. The patient, selfless sacrifice of the tree for the boy’s happiness broke my heart as a child, and has haunted me ever since. It taught me early on how a broken heart can be a beautiful thing… and how we should never take for granted the endless gifts of the natural world.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ivan M. Granger, sunshine. sunshine said: The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein http://t.co/01Ufm1f – I felt the same way, though I didn't see the animated version until much later. [...]
I am a special Ed. tutor and this is my favorite book for the younger kids. I once had a 4 year old
Russian boy who I was helping with pronunciation. I read him this book and he would ask for it again and again each lesson. I have never seen the animation- Thanks Ivan for this treat.