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Friday, July 16, 2010

Am I the only person who thinks the Giving Tree should be banned?


Why J had to pick that bag at the book swap (see previous post), I'm not sure. But he did. He picked the bag with another copy of the Giving Tree in it.
My first thought was: we'll just give that away. Right away. We already have a copy of the damn book anyway.
But no. Jonas wanted to read it that night.
"Why don't we read Batman again?" I suggested.
But he pushed.
"Mommy cries when she reads this book," I warned him.
"Read mama," he said.
So I began reading.
And there was the little boy who loved his tree. He would swing on the tree's branches, eat her apples, and sleep in her shade.
(so far so good).
But then the little boy grows up and he needs money and he comes back to the tree who says takes my apples (the little boy is about 30 years old now) and the little boy takes his apples. And the tree's happy.
Then the boy comes back and he's middle aged.
"That's not a little boy," J points out.
"You're right," I say.
And the little boy who's a full grown man with a beer belly and less hair needs a house and so he takes up the tree's offer to take all her branches as wood for his house. And after the little-boy-turned-pearshaped-and-balding takes the branches the tree, again, is happy.
(still, no tears...I'm gonna make it!)
Then the little boy who is very old now comes back and wants a boat and the tree offers his trunk, which the elderly little boy takes and the tree (to this reader's horror) is left nothing more than a stump but still happy (although not really.)
Then the little-boy-near-death-old returns again and the tree apologizes saying, "I have nothing left to give you, My apples are gone..."
"Where'd his apples go mommy?" J asks, and the next thing you know I'm bawling like a baby, snot running out my nose and J says, "Can I go see daddy?"
"Of course," I say, half crying, half laughing.
I can't help but wonder: Is it just me? Does anyone else cry when reading this book to their children? Does anyone else wonder why Shel Silverstein had to go and write such a damn depressing children's book?? I know it's supposed to be a lovely tale for the ages but I would much prefer a revised version where the tree says to the boy-man, "Stop being such a selfish brat and go out and make some money to build your house and your friggin boat!"
That would make me very happy.
Now does anyone want a copy (or two) of The Giving Tree?

6 comments:

  1. You are not the only one who cries while reading this book. I don't, for some reason, but I will never read or sing to you from Puff the Magic Dragon. Mommy cries when she does that.

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  2. I couldn't agree more. That Little Boy is a big A-Hole. Talk about an abusive relationship - the Tree needs to stop enabling this kid and kick him to the curb!

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  3. Oh yes. The Giving Tree. I too cry and sniffle and weep when I read this. I don't enjoy the relationship between child and surrogate parent played out quite that grimly, and yet I cannot resist it.

    I am an idiot.

    Sara
    www.shinyredhouses.blogspot.com

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  4. Did you see this: http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/childrens-books-you-might-hate/?scp=1&sq=giving%20tree&st=cse

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  5. Thanks for the feedback y'all. Puff the Magic Dragon make me weepy too! And Thea - did not see that post on the MotherLode! Thx for the head's up...seems there are alot of Giving Tree haters out there. Who knew??

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  6. There is a short story response called "the other giving tree" which is like a pleasant alternate reality, and the "boy" gets his in the end. Made me feel better, anyway.

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