Which American author wrote 'The Giving Tree'?

The American author of The Giving Tree is Shel Silverstein.

First published by Harper & Row in 1964, The Giving Tree is both written and illustrated by Silverstein. Its spare black-and-white drawings and short, emotionally direct text tell the story of a tree that continually gives parts of itself to a boy as he grows older, eventually becoming little more than a stump.

Silverstein was already known as a cartoonist and later became one of the most distinctive figures in American children's literature. His other celebrated books include Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic. He also wrote songs, including the country hit “A Boy Named Sue,” recorded by Johnny Cash.

The book is often mistaken for a simple lesson about generosity, but its meaning remains debated. Some readers see the tree's giving as selfless love; others view the boy's demands as exploitative. That lasting disagreement is part of why the book remains widely discussed.