Joe, it sounds like you resolved this situation nicely, and I agree that The Giving Tree is a great story (I enjoyed reading it to my own kids when they wer eyounger). I still feel that the song you sang goes a little too far -- whether it truly "celebrates" violence, or ridicules it, to my way of thinking a song about killing people for sport is questionable at best, particularly when it's being sung to children. But it's okay for us to disagree about that, as long as we're prepared to think it through with a little humility and respect for each others' views.

Which brings me to Sailor Dan, who seems to assume that a viewpoint different than his own must be evidence of narrow-mindedness and kneejerk reactions. My suggestion is to at least start with the assumption that people have valid points of view, and they should be considered with an open mind. This is a question of where we draw the line for our kids in a world in which they are bombarded with violent messages from every direction. Reasonable people can differ about exactly where to draw the lines on such things. But even if we end up with differing views on a question like this, can't we treat one another with respect while we're considering it?