Title: The Giving Tree
Author: Shel Silverstein
Publisher: http://www.harpercollins.com
Publication Date: 1964
Genre: Fantasy, Picture Book
Audience: Pre-K-2 Gr. 3, 4, 5

Overview: Every child should have this book in his or her personal library. The Giving Tree is the story of a wonderful friendship between a young boy and an apple tree. The boy goes through life taking from the tree until the tree has nothing more to give. But, even when all that is left of the tree is one little stump, the boy has just what he needs.

Activity: Put all the names of your students in a hat, and have them draw a name of someone else. The students will then make that person an apple that says, “You are my friend. If you needed help I would give you ______.” Once they are done, have them give the apples to the students they made the apple for. It is something that they all can keep and look at, remembering that they always have a friend.

Reviewer’s Name: Sarah Keister