by Crystal Cook

Created on: March 12, 2008   Last Updated: July 26, 2011

Books were my first friends in this world. They were an integral part of my life in more ways than one. I have come to be who I am, in part, because I was given the gift of books as a small child. From the age of four I devoured them word by word. I was blessed with the wit, wisdom and wonder gracing each page.

The Giving Tree, published in 1964 by Shel Silverstein taught me one of life's greatest lessons. I learned of selfless and unconditional love. I learned to think of others before myself. I learned real love never fades. Simple words with simple illustrations brought tears to my eyes even as a child, they still do.

This amazing book was rejected for publishing, it was thought to be not quite a children's book and not quite an adult book. He was told it would never sell. The Giving Tree is one of Mr. Silverstein's greatest achievements. Writing for children was not something he intended to do, I'll always be thankful he did.

He had his own style and wrote not for himself but for others. He was both writer and illustrator. He was a songwriter and a playwright. My children have long loved the Giving tree as well as his many other works. A light in the attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Runny Babbit, The Missing piece and The Missing Piece Meets the Big O are just a few of his great achievements. He passed away in 1999 but he will live forever in the words he left behind.

The Dream Tree, published in 1974 was one of my first favorite books, it also happened to be one of the first books written by Stephen Cosgrove. His work not only sparked a desire within me to read, his work inspired me to pen my own dreams to a page. I was three years old when a passing muse found Stephen Cosgrove, a father searching in vain for the perfect book for his young daughter. He wanted something of worth that simply wasn't bound inside the expensive hardcover books available, so in 1973 he decided he would write something of great worth.

He became both author and publisher, founding Serendipity Press. Together with a master illustrator, Robin James, he created story after story, each as good as or better than the one before. He had a vision for his books which reached beyond publishing. He wanted books people could afford. Books a father could walk into a bookstore and buy for his young child. He wanted to write books with a positive message.

Stephen Cosgrove writes like no other, his tales are filled with fantasy and fun; they are rich with imagination brought to life. The imagery

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