Author & Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Summary: “Once there was a tree
and she loved a little boy.” So begins the story of a lifelong relationship. At
first the 2 friends delightfully play together, but as the boy grows, he is
often absent, his desires change, and the tree sacrifices parts of herself so
that he will be happy. But he doesn’t stay happy. Eventually the tree is just a
stump, and the boy is an old man, once again satisfied with just her company. “And
the tree was happy.”
Hanna’s
Comments: This tender story of
loving sacrifice was introduced to me at church camp as a teen. When asked
about an example of a secular picture book with potential for ministry, this is
usually the example I offer. All those years ago, I viewed this story as a
metaphor for Jesus’ crucifixion. As a parent, this story seems all too
familiar. Introduce the youth & children in your faith community to the
power of Silverstein’s illustrations and storytelling. Then offer your own interpretations
and listen to those of your audience.
Publisher & Date of Publication: Harper & Row, 1964
Age and Grade Appropriateness: 6
and up, 1 and up
# of Pages: 64
Available in Spanish? Yes, and there is a Hebrew version
Available in Spanish? Yes, and there is a Hebrew version
Formats other than Book: tablet,
audio CD, videos on Youtube
PBT Category: Classic
PBT Topics this Book Connects with: affection,
bonds/connections, brokenness, care of creation, commitment, consumerism/consumption/riches,
disabilities/handicaps/limitations, the environment/nature, flowers/leaves/trees, friends/friendship,
generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, gifts/giftedness/talents, God’s
care/providence, God’s nature, growing up/growth, helping, hospitality,
humanity, kindness, loneliness, love, manna, parents/parental love,
perseverance, relationships, sacrifice, steadfastness, time/timing/over time,
transformation, treasure, unity, victims
Scripture Connections: Christ
died for us (Romans 5:8); the sacrificial willingness of Mary, mother of Jesus (Luke 1:38); present your bodies as a living
sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2)
Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a lesson on how relationships, particularly our relationship with God, offer
life-long satisfaction in contrast to the short-term pleasures of consumerism. 
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