‘The Giving Tree’ gives preschoolers a lesson in generosity

As Spring Break ended for older students Friday, preschoolers gathered at Neighbor to Neighbor for a simple lesson from “The Giving Tree.”

The classic children’s book, written by Shel Silverstein and published in 1964, was read by Dora Whitney and Myrna Shelton as the latest installment of the “Reading with Leaders” program.

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Upstairs at the Neighbor to Neighbor center in downtown Concordia, about 30 children ages 3 to 5 listened to the story about a friendship between a boy and a tree, and how the tree continues to give the boy everything it can. Downstairs, parents, grandparents and other caregivers relaxed downstairs with doughnuts, coffee and juice provided by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

“Reading with Leaders” is a yearlong storytelling program is coordinated by the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Initiatives office and hosted by Neighbor to Neighbor at 103 E. Sixth St. The program is funded in part with a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation.

The series began in September and will continue through May. The next session is Friday, April 12, at 10 a.m., with “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.” Each child registered receives a free copy of the book. Advance registration is required, by calling 785-262-4215.

After the storytelling time, the children were able to try out with the wide assortment of toys and books  in the upstairs playroom. Before leaving, each child received a copy of the book “The Giving Tree” plus a small bag of snacks.

Here’s the schedule for the rest of the series:

• April 12 — “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”
• April 26 — “Kitty Claus,” read by author T.L. Needham and illustrator Lizzy Dodig
• May 3 —   “Green Eggs & Ham”