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4.5 AVERAGE
4.5 AVERAGE
Shaun Tan's work literally gives me goosebumps. I think I first came across The Red Tree when I was relief teaching in Melbourne's west. I was working with 5/6th grade children in the library and The Red Tree was suggested as a book to read with them. I recently bought myself a copy and it's amazing what comfort it can bring. Here Shaun Tan has written the words as well as illustrating the story. The story in words is fairly sparse but perfectly suits Tan's incredible illustrations. His work is detailed and precise but filled with emotion. While this is a book maybe suited to older primary grades it could still be attractive to younger readers. There is an underlying sadness but not loss of hope, quite the opposite in fact.
sometimes the day begins
with nothing to look forward to
and things go from bad to worse
darkness overcomes you
nobody understands
the world is a deaf machine
without sense or reason
sometimes you wait
and wait
and wait
and wait
and wait
and wait
and wait
but nothing ever happens
then all your troubles come at once
wonderful things are passing you by
terrible fates are inevitable
sometimes you just don't know what you are supposed to do
or who you are meant to be
or where you are
and the day seems to end the way it began
but suddenly there it is
right in front of you
bright and vivid
quietly waiting
just as you imagined it would be
Another masterpiece from Shaun Tan. This book explores the feeling of being displaced and having no way out from a strange and unknown nightmare. The illustrations keep on giving the more that you examine them and if I was sharing this text with a class I would definitely blow them up onto large pieces of paper to let the children pick out all of the hidden elements.
We would also look at the positioning and size of the girl throughout the text, comparing how at the beginning of the story she is tiny to reflect how she is lost in her fear. However, by the end of the book she is safe and warm in her room filling the page and marvelling at the beauty of a red tree.
We would also look at the positioning and size of the girl throughout the text, comparing how at the beginning of the story she is tiny to reflect how she is lost in her fear. However, by the end of the book she is safe and warm in her room filling the page and marvelling at the beauty of a red tree.
Quite possibly the most beautiful picturebook I've ever read.
(Also, it made me cry.)
(Also, it made me cry.)
This is a book I won when I was like 6. And it is so powerful (because I haven't read it for years and I still remember. Also the artwork is beyond amazing.
A heartbreaking story for kids about how we experience depression and (hopefully) get through it. Visually stunning; again, one of my tattoos is an image from this book.
