So thrilled to receive this review from Entertainment Weekly! THE MORE YOU GIVE was named one of “7 fantastic kids’ books for late summer.” I love this review, especially the mention of The Giving Tree. This book was inspired, in part, by my disappointment in that book, which I read for the first time as a new parent. I knew, someday, I’d try to write my response to it, though I wouldn’t even start writing for kids for another 10+ years.
Hi! I enjoyed your book, The More you Give. The headlines in the Plain Dealer said the Giving Tree was divisive. While I agree the boy in the book did no giving, the point of the book was not his lack of giving but his happiness was not to be found in the taking. The tree was the happy one because she gave and gave again. It is only in giving and unselfishness that true happiness is found. No one is ever satisfied if they keep wanting more-hence the boy’s unhappiness. I taught elementary school in Akron and Medina Highland for 33 years and each year on G week we read this book. This is a very me first society and it was wonderful seeing my 5 year olds come to the true meaning of the book. I believe there’s room on the bookshelf for both books! Good luck in your writing career!