One of the ‘Best Children's Books Ever' Still Has Its Suitability Debated 62 Years After Publication

Books are banned for all sorts of wild reasons. One of those is when the content of the novel doesn't seem to suit the age range, and that was one of the reasons given for banning The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, which was published on January 1, 1964.

Yet, despite individuals not believing that the story is suitable for children, it remains considered one of the "Best Children's Books Ever," according to Goodreads users, sitting in fifth place. It's just behind the likes of Green Eggs and Ham, which was also banned for an absurd reason.

Why a Colorado Public Library Banned ‘The Giving Tree'

For many people, the ban came down to the story not being suitable for the age range it was written for. There have been concerns about the "negative" message that the story of a tree giving to an overly selfish boy gives. There are also arguments that it creates an exploitative relationship with nature, especially considering the ages of those reading and the risk of misinterpreting the message.

For one Colorado public library in 1988, the reason for banning was slightly different. It was due to the perceived misogyny in the story. The tree is written as a female character, while the selfish child is a boy. The tree continues to give and give, with some people interpreting it was female self-erasure.

The sexist nature is also linked to Silverstein himself, who was an illustrator for PlayboyMagazine, leading to spending time at the Playboy Mansion. This led to a rather unusual view of the world and of women, and some worry that came across in his writing.

The Message Behind ‘The Giving Tree'

Silverstein wrote the story as one about sacrifice and the selfish nature of people. As the boy continues to take from the tree, the tree starts to wither and struggle under the expectations. However, the boy doesn't learn, and instead, keeps selling items that it takes from the tree for material gain.

In the end, the tree becomes just a stump, and even then, the boy uses it. He sits on the stump for rest, rather than reflecting on his own actions. One of the most prevalent messages is about human nature and how we take from nature without giving back and without understanding the consequences.

Yet, it is an important story to tell, and it's why it remains one of the best children's books ever written.

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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 10:57 AM.