The Red Tree (Shaun Tan)
The Red Tree (2001), written and illustrated by Shaun Tan, is a picture book that presents a fragmented journey through a dark world. The illustrations are surreal. The text is sparse and matches the dark illustrations. In her sad world it shows that she feels alone in the world and in her life.
.jpg.webp) First edition cover | |
| Author | Shaun Tan |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Shaun Tan |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Picture book |
| Publisher | Lothian Books |
Publication date | 2001 |
| Media type | Picture book |
| Pages | 24 |
| ISBN | 9780734401724 |
| OCLC | 155754630 |
| A823.3 | |
| Website | http://www.shauntan.net/books/red-tree.html |
The story is based on images inspired by the experience of depression. The main character is a lonely red-headed girl. A red leaf from a red tree follows the girl through her day; it states how she feels and depicts her worries. Almost unnoticed in each picture is a small red leaf (symbolising hope). At the end, the little girl stands smiling at a beautiful red-leafed tree growing in her bedroom meaning hope.
This book is one of many picture books by Tan, who also addresses issues such as immigration and cultural differences.
Awards
- Winner of NSW Premier's Literary Award Patricia Wrightson Prize 2002
- Shortlisted for APA Design Awards: Scholastic Best Designed Children's Book 2002
- Shortlisted for Western Australian Premier's Book Awards: Children's Books 2009
References
- "The Red Tree", Publishers Weekly, p. 259, Jan 27, 2003.
- "The Red Tree", Kirkus Reviews, p. 148, Jan 15, 2003.
- "The Red Tree", Booklist, p. 1589, May 1, 2003.
- The Red Tree at WorldCat