In each stage, the tree provides the boy with whatever he needs, ultimately giving him a stump to sit on when the tree has nothing else to give. The Giving Tree centers on the relationship between a tree and a boy throughout the stages of his life-from his childhood to his elderly years. There are various interpretations of the relationship at the center of the story-not all of them positive. Today, nearly 55 years after it was first published, The Giving Tree has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. It quickly became one of the most successful children’s books of the era and made Silverstein an important figure in the industry. Though its publisher clearly underestimated its potential popularity, it didn’t take long for the book to explode into a modern classic. The Giving Tree received a small release in 1964 with just 5000 to 7500 copies printed for the first edition. After four years of searching for a publisher, Silverstein finally found a home for the book at Harper Children’s, when editor Ursula Nordstrom recognized its potential. One editor at Simon & Schuster described it as “too sad” for kids and “too simple” for adults, while another editor called the titular tree “sick” and “neurotic.” Other publishers were moved by the story, which follows the relationship between a boy and a tree over the course of his lifetime, but ultimately felt it was too risky for the genre. The book’s somber themes made it a hard sell. Shel Silverstein had only sold one children’s book- Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back-when he went about finding a publisher for The Giving Tree. Multiple publishers rejected The Giving Tree. No matter your interpretation of the story, The Giving Tree is a children’s classic that helped make Shel Silverstein a household name-even if it took him a while to get there. To others, it was a heartbreaking tale that messed them up during story time. Some readers remember The Giving Tree as a sweet picture book about the strength of unconditional love.
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