Shel Silverstein’s classic book for all ages, The Giving Tree, is 50! This moving parable—a perennial favorite—demonstrates the gift of giving and the capacity to love. The anniversary edition celebrates this milestone with a beautiful green foil jacket.

“Once there was a tree…and she loved a little boy.”

So begins a story that has captivated readers, young and old, for half a century. Beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein, this is a tale of love, acceptance, and giving.

Scholastic Parent & Child magazine considers The Giving Tree to be one of the top 10 greatest books for kids! It was in the top 5 chosen in the National Education Association’s Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children and was selected in School Library Journal’s poll of top 100 picture books.

Shel Silverstein’s incomparable career as a children’s book author and illustrator began the previous year, in 1963, with Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. However, 1964 was the year Shel Silverstein’s creativity flourished, with the publication of Don’t Bump the Glump!, A Giraffe and a Half, Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?, and The Giving Tree. He continued to build his remarkable body of work with Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, Every Thing On It, The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, and Runny Babbit.