The Giving Tree Stamp

One of seven new Forever stamps coming out in 2022 is The Giving Tree stamp. This new stamp has caused a lot of mixed reactions. When I heard about the controversy, I had to do some more research because I remember reading this book to my children and even using it in my classroom. What controversy could there be over this well-known children’s story? I wonder who decided to pick this book to feature on the stamp and what they were thinking.

The picture on the stamp shows a boy catching an apple which is similar to the cover of this popular book. The title of the book and Shel Silverstein’s name are also written on the stamp. It was designed by Derry Noyes.

The Giving Tree is a picture book written by well-known author and illustrator, Shel Silverstein and was published in 1964. When the boy is young, he enjoys climbing the tree, swinging from her branches, and eating her apples. Then he forgets about the tree until he needs something and the tree is happy to give him whatever he wants. Then one day when he is an old man and the tree has nothing left to give, he sits on her stump.

Some people are very excited that a book they loved as a child was going to be on the stamp. It has been used to show children the selflessness of giving. The story shows the joy of unconditional love. Whenever the boy wants something, the tree is always there for him.

Others feel like this was the worst choice of Shel Silverstein’s works to display and honor on a stamp. They feel this story shows selfishness and an unhealthy relationship. The boy is constantly taking and not giving anything back and the tree doesn’t know how to set boundaries by saying no. She gives so much that she eventually has nothing left.

I think the story itself and this new stamp are brilliant! It opens up so many different discussions that involve critical thinking. By having these great discussions, we can clarify our own understanding of the way we feel. I think this story can be seen in so many different ways because it depends on the age of the reader. Maybe that is what the author hoped would happen. When we are young, we focus on the tree and the unconditional love it gives just like we hope we get from our parents. As we get older, we learn about the ability we have of giving to others. Then as we mature, we start looking at the actions of the boy and wonder about his actions. Are they selfish? Do we know what kind of life he has had? Maybe he grew apple trees and gave apples to others. We just don’t know because the author doesn’t go into that with the reader.

References:
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2022/0111-usps-reveals-more-stamps-for-2022.htm
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/global/images/releases/shel-silverstein.jpg