5LittleMonkeys Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 we finished and he said, "I DO NOT like that boy at all!" I asked him why (I didn't tell him that I don't like him either) and he said, "He took everything away from her and then he came back and SAT on her! How rude!":lol: I didn't tell him but I really dislike that book. In fact I forgot we even had it until he brought it to me for read-aloud time. Ugh...I think I'll donate it to the library. Does anyone else not like that book? I always end up feeling sooo bad for that tree and being very irritated with that selfish, ungrateful boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I agree! A very selfish boy and a very unselfish tree. But, it did spark some interesting conversations about selfishness with my kiddos when they were young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangerine Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I think a lot of people hate that book. Here's an article about it from the NYT.com: http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/childrens-books-you-might-hate/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 There are entire internet boards dedicated to hating that book. I had a good friend who was a women's lit teacher and for fun, I'd mention that book and watch her get all riled up. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I never liked it as a kid, never read it to ds, never owned a copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalknot Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I like it, but I like books and movies without neat, pretty endings. My kids groan when they see it, though; whenever they're being butts I make them read it to each other and then tell me why I'm making them read it :D My son once begged me to just ground him instead of making him read it to the cousin he had wronged, then explain to me why I had him read it LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ria Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I think it's a creepy book. Never liked it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I love it! My ds was able to see some of the things he does and said the boy was mean. He always askes to read it and it lead to great conversations with an otherwise (seemingly) emotionless boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5LittleMonkeys Posted September 15, 2011 Author Share Posted September 15, 2011 Oh my goodness...I didn't realize so many people don't like it! Well, glad to know I'm not alone. Making my dc read it when there being selfish isn't a bad idea though.:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I don't really like it, but it makes me think.:001_smile: (I think the award for Creepiest Picture Book goes to Love You Forever.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I hate it with a purple passion. It was gifted to us on three separate occasions and each time I promptly donated it to the library. I do agree that it's a good conversation starter, but I prefer Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose for that purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5LittleMonkeys Posted September 15, 2011 Author Share Posted September 15, 2011 I don't really like it, but it makes me think.:001_smile:(I think the award for Creepiest Picture Book goes to Love You Forever.) Is that the one with the man rocking his old mother in a rocking chair? Yes, I have that one too. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I don't like it either. I don't know if it's purposely an alternative to that book, but there is a Berenstain Bears book called The Forgiving Tree that sounds cute! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Have you ever read this one? The Taking Tree: A Selfish Parody. The kids and I got a kick out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athomemom Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 We always think of the tree and how loving she was...always reminds me of being a parent. We give all don't we? Even when we have nothing left to give to our kids? I dunno... We found the book after our move recently and we read it again! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xuzi Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I don't really like it, but it makes me think.:001_smile:(I think the award for Creepiest Picture Book goes to Love You Forever.) Two books I greatly dislike! (although we do own a copy of Love You Forever, I bought it before I'd read it, since I'd heard such great things about it. Haven't gotten around to donating it yet. :tongue_smilie:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 My problem is not the the boys is selfish, but that the tree is a pleaser with no boundaries. One should be able to say "No" without feeling guilty. They way the book is usually read to school groups or camp groups, is that the boy is the bad one, and the tree is the Giver--a role model, so to speak. :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I hate it, too. My sister gave us a copy years ago. I read it once to the kids and then it sat on the shelf collecting dust because no one wanted a re-read. I finally donated it. I think it is one of those books that people buy thinking it is a classic without ever really reading it themselves and realizing it is just a bunch of hooey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginevra Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 We always think of the tree and how loving she was...always reminds me of being a parent. We give all don't we? Even when we have nothing left to give to our kids? I dunno... We found the book after our move recently and we read it again! :D :iagree: I love that book and this is the reason. I relate it to motherhood. The "tree" is always eager to give to the boy, though he doesn't consider what it costs the "tree" to give everything to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punchie Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I absolutely cannot stand that book. The boy is a selfish user, and the tree doesn't know when to say no. Robot Chicken did a funny parody of it - definitely adult in content. The Rainbow Fish is another one I cannot stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 The Rainbow Fish is another one I cannot stand. A tale of martyrdom. :ack2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I despise that book. My mil used to read it to the kids all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 The Rainbow Fish is another one I cannot stand. I think that's the only picture book I started reading aloud and shut before I finished. I did finish it myself, to find out if the message really was, "Give up what makes you special lest you be shunned by your peers," but I certainly didn't want to read it to my kid. I'll take Kevin Henkes any day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgonczi Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 (I think the award for Creepiest Picture Book goes to Love You Forever.) I SO agree with this! Freaky in so many ways. And the mom dies. Kinda like a Disney movie.:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I SO agree with this! Freaky in so many ways. And the mom dies. Kinda like a Disney movie.:tongue_smilie: Isn't that the book where the mom breaks into the adult son's house to kiss him goodnight?? Sounds like Impish's MIL!!! :D And then I remember the picture of the boy holding his either dead or soon to be dead mom. That picture reminds me of an epidosde of "Criminal Minds" where the son is having a full psychotic breakdown with his mama's skeleton. :lol: That is the WORST BOOK EVER. It's one of those books where if my kid wrote it, I would be polite to his or her face and wonder WTF I did wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Isn't that the book where the mom breaks into the adult son's house to kiss him goodnight?? Sounds like Impish's MIL!!! :D Heh. Except Imp's MIL would break in to tell her son what a failure he is. "I Belittle You Forever." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Heh. Except Imp's MIL would break in to tell her son what a failure he is. "I Belittle You Forever." :lol::lol::lol: Although I think her MIL would do the kissing thing if she realized how distressing it would be to Imp... Perhaps the first day Imp comes home from the hospital??? Lock your windows, Imp!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangerine Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I get the creepiness of Love You Forever. Truly I do. It is disturbing. But I always kind of tried to look at it from a very young child's perspective. I imagine the idea of Mommy always being around and rocking you would be comforting. Or maybe I'm just trying too hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5LittleMonkeys Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 Have you ever read this one? The Taking Tree: A Selfish Parody. The kids and I got a kick out of it. Looks like something we'd like! Sounds like Impish's MIL!!! :D :lol::lol::lol::lol: Oh.my.word...that just about made me choke! Heh. Except Imp's MIL would break in to tell her son what a failure he is. "I Belittle You Forever." :lol::lol::lol:...again with the choking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Isn't that the book where the mom breaks into the adult son's house to kiss him goodnight?? Sounds like Impish's MIL!!! :D Heh. Except Imp's MIL would break in to tell her son what a failure he is. "I Belittle You Forever." :lol::lol::lol: Although I think her MIL would do the kissing thing if she realized how distressing it would be to Imp... Perhaps the first day Imp comes home from the hospital??? Lock your windows, Imp!!! BWAH HAHAHAHAHAHA!! I actually *like* that book though. Now, I may never look at it the same! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 BWAH HAHAHAHAHAHA!! I actually *like* that book though. Now, I may never look at it the same! I was hoping it wouldn't make you made that I referenced you without your permission. :001_smile: But it DOES sound like a move your crazy-$#@!$%#@ MIL would try. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I cried. Then my dh read it to ds and he cried! I love the book, but I hate how sad it makes me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 The Rainbow Fish is another one I cannot stand. That is the only book I have ever thrown in the trash. I HATE IT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I actually don't like Shel Silverstein's books. Sorry, I just don't get the appeal? :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I was hoping it wouldn't make you made that I referenced you without your permission. :001_smile:But it DOES sound like a move your crazy-$#@!$%#@ MIL would try. :glare: Not in the slightest! Although, I'll probably have nightmares now about rolling over and finding her face looming over us from Wolf's side of the bed. *shudder* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Not in the slightest! Although, I'll probably have nightmares now about rolling over and finding her face looming over us from Wolf's side of the bed. *shudder* :lol::lol::lol: We're ALL going to have that nightmare now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 That is the only book I have ever thrown in the trash. I HATE IT! I change the words around while reading it but I can't dump my books because I like the finger puppet too much. It's silvery and DD used to say, "Ooooooooooo!" when I brought it out. Otherwise, that book would be in the compost pile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 :lol::lol::lol: We're ALL going to have that nightmare now. At least I won't suffer alone...although, you only have your imagination to work with...I've seen the real thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I love the book. I think it is a beautiful story with a good lesson for kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamauk Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I used The Giving Tree for my speech competition my senior year in highschool. At the time, I was a selfish, thoughtless teenager, so now I can see the appeal. I haven't read it in years. The Rainbow Fish I HATE. Another bad one is The Three Robbers. Awful... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 My problem is not the the boys is selfish, but that the tree is a pleaser with no boundaries. One should be able to say "No" without feeling guilty. They way the book is usually read to school groups or camp groups, is that the boy is the bad one, and the tree is the Giver--a role model, so to speak. :confused: That's why I hate the book. The tree is not a positive role model. Imagine that the tree was a wife and the boy was her husband instead of a parent/child relationship....I do not want my daughters to grow up to act like that tree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaJeanne Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Have you ever read this one? The Taking Tree: A Selfish Parody. The kids and I got a kick out of it. I just saw this the other day at the library, so so funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I love the book. We have a copies in English and in Latin :D Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natalieclare Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 :D:DI will shamelessly proclaim that I am a Giving Tree Lover!!!!! I've always thought the tree was just like any mother, pouring out her whole life for her child. Love it, here. :D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I've always hated that book too. The tree gives and gives beyond what is healthy and the boy is selfish and ungrateful. I never understood why it's so popular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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