Earlier this calendar month , theU.S. Postal Serviceannounced the increase ofseven raw Forever Stampsto its 2022 slate . One exercise set features members of a mariachi band , celebrating the importance of mariachi euphony in Mexican American culture . Another depict American signal flag on barns throughout the U.S. , a nod to farmers ’ tradition of paint flags on their barns .
There ’s also a stamp to honorShel Silverstein , whom the USPS described as “ one of the 20th 100 ’s most imaginative authors and illustrators . ” The illustration chosen for the stamp describe a diminished , overall - clad boy about to catch an orchard apple tree — part of the cover art for Silverstein ’s bookThe Giving Tree . That claim is impress on the stamp , too , as is Silverstein ’s name .
The Giving Treehas long been one of Silverstein ’s most polarizing kit and caboodle . Published in 1964 , it be the fib of a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree who gives whatever she can to the boy she loves as he develop up — her Malus pumila to sell , her offshoot to build up a household , and so on — until she ’s nothing but a stump for him to sit on in former age . Though some readers count it a heartwarming ( albeit melancholy ) tale of altruism and unconditional dearest , others have felt it portray an unhealthy or even abusive relationship .
AsWRAL.com reports , reactions to the cast have been wide-ranging . Some multitude have taken to Twitter to express excitement about a stamp inspire by a dear puerility favorite . Others arelamentingthat the USPS had n’t choose adifferentSilverstein piece of work to commemorate .
Still others have pointed out the caustic remark behind the stamp ’s example : The Giving Tree herself is n’t testify , once again unrecognised for her contributions . Twitter user@haikuhedgehogcaptured the view in a poem of their own :
“ The Giving Tree reach . Selfless , not even her stumpwas put on her mold . ”
[ h / tWRAL.com ]
