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Albert Benjamin asked this question about The Giving Tree:
What is the overall message for this story??
Meghan Loves M/M This book is for children needing to understand the difference between being selfish and giving, the good and the bad sides of both.

The point is to sh…moreThis book is for children needing to understand the difference between being selfish and giving, the good and the bad sides of both.

The point is to show kids what being selfish results in. It is about the unconditional love that most parental-type adult figures show their kids. Kids ask for things because they are kids. But as they grow older, if they don't learn to recognize the gifts from others around them, they will keep taking and taking. The result is the kids who get everything they ask for grow up and have nothing left at the end. Once the childish adult has used up everything given to him, there is no one around to give him anything.

It's fairly self explanatory. Everyone ascribing other values, such as co-dependence and anti-feminist rhetoric and what not, are simply thinking as an adult that has been crammed full of other life experiences. (less)
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The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein
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