Review:
In The Giving Tree, a young boy grows up playing with a tree full of love for him. The tree gives all she has to the boy for his happiness. As he grows up, he has less desire to play with the tree and less need for things she can provide. The tree grows sad and purposeless without the boy s company. Eventually the boy ages, but returns to the tree later in life in search of different comforts. These the tree happily provides, not hesitating to sacrifice for her boy. Soon, all that s left is her stump, which the boy uses as a place to rest in old age. Once again, the tree gives this to the boy and is happy. Counselors can use this book for bibliotherapy with a variety of clients in many different contexts.

The themes presented within this story are universal and can apply to many individuals in different stages of life. The topics of love, what it means to truly love someone, and happiness, what it means to truly be happy, are prominent. The love the tree feels for the boy can be compared to that felt by parents for children, thus making the book appropriate for family and couples counseling. This story also addresses ideas of identity within relationships, i.e. losing parts of oneself to another person, also making it relevant within individual counseling. Because this is a children’s book, this story also holds relevance to children of all ages.