<P> The Giving Tree is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein . First published in 1964 by Harper & Row, it has become one of Silverstein's best known titles and has been translated into numerous languages . </P> <P> This book has been described as "one of the most divisive books in children's literature ." The controversy concerns whether the relationship between the main characters (a boy and a tree) should be interpreted as positive (i.e., the tree gives the boy selfless love) or as negative (i.e., the boy and the tree have an abusive relationship). Scholastic designates the interest level of this book to range from kindergarten to second grade . </P> <P> Silverstein had difficulty finding a publisher for The Giving Tree . An editor at Simon & Schuster rejected the book's manuscript because he felt that it was "too sad" for children and "too simple" for adults . Tomi Ungerer encouraged Silverstein to approach Ursula Nordstrom, who was a publisher with Harper & Row . </P> <P> An editor with Harper & Row stated that Silverstein had made the original illustrations "scratchy" like his cartoons for Playboy, but that he later reworked the art in a "more pared - down and much sweeter style ." The final black - and - white drawings have been described as "unadorned...visual minimalism ." Harper & Row published a small first edition of the book, consisting of only 5,000--7,500 copies, in 1964 . </P>

What is the main idea of the giving tree