The Red Tree Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Red Tree
Book Review: Amazing illustrations that make you feel
Summary: 5 Stars
A very nice book. Very simple and yet leave you a lot of room
for imaginations. I just love the illustrations and I can look
at those pictures again and again. It's a book not just for kids,
it's actually more for adults I think. You can apply the little
story to a lot of things and it's that universal. I felt pretty
good after I read the book.
Book Review: An exciting, emotional, thought provoking picture book
Summary: 3 Stars
The Red Tree is an insightful fiction book written by Shaun Tan and is set in a picture-book format. Each spread opens to a landscape slightly unrealistic in nature, which follows a young girl experiencing depression and hopelessness. As a reader you will be awe struck by the dramatic imagery used consistently throughout the book which is also accompanied with short, direct text complimenting the illustration.
The fantastic imagery also gives the responder a clear perspective of the fears and struggles associated with depression as well as enhances the themes of the story which include hope and the search for identity. This is shown throughout the novel by a small red leaf, although barely noticeable in each illustration, which is used to represent the small lingering presence of hope even through the depressing situations. However, this symbolism entwined throughout the story can go unnoticed by young readers and therefore these readers can overlook the meaning of the story.
The book, The Red Tree, also deals with the desperation of the young girl, as each image displays a challenging encounter which she ahs to deal with until she finds hope on the final page. Throughout the progress of the story the responder is therefore able to relate to the character on both emotional and intellectual levels as the illustrations allow this to occur. The incredible images are also unique, ranging from simple pictures to complex collages, but each has the ability to grasp your attention.
In my opinion, the story is captivating and is conveyed well through the use of emotive language and gloomy colours used in the imagery. The illustrations aid enormously in setting the tone of the story, as they are of high quality and send a strong meaning to the reader. Shaun Tan's story book is also one of inspiration and encouragement and will overwhelm any reader because of its gripping storyline.
This story however, shows the positive side of despair as it conveys the idea that living through depression is simply a wait for hope. It therefore ignores the negative alternatives to which depression can lead an individual such as suicide and focuses on the positive path. This message can be misleading to young readers as it displays the idea that depression is always overcome. It is for this reason that the book may not be suitable for young readers as they not fully grasp the complexities regarding the story and its meaning.
The Red Tree is a very enjoyable and imaginative book which is recommended to readers of ages above ten. This story can have a depressing affect on the reader but the end of the story book is very encouraging and inspirational. The book can be read by younger readers but is recommended to ten and above because the meaning may be too sophisticated for children to understand, but it is nonetheless a book of great enjoyment for readers young and old.
Book Review: An interesting use of a little red leaf
Summary: 4 Stars
The Red Tree, a deep picture book written and illustrated by Shaun Tan. This fictional book delves into the mysterious workings of a young girl's mind, which appears to be suffering from depression. This intense story addresses the issue of loneliness caused by depression and although it is in the form of a picture book, children, in my opinion would not be recommended to read this passionate story. The story explores the issue of depression in a powerful matter and investigates the impact that depression can have on such a young girl.
The story written by Shaun Tan is short, but meaningful. Beginning in the middle of a young girls depression, it does not suggest how her illness began, it simply portrays the life and feeling the character experiences. The story does hold much appreciation, however, the images present on each page, create the mood and feeling for the youthful character affected by depression. The reason for the title, The Red Tree, is portrayed through the illustrations as a small leaf which is present on each page and plays a major role to the ending.
This memorable picture book was unlike any other I have read. The interesting story along with the fascinating illustrations has paved the path for an excellent book. It has raised issues about the illness, depression as well as identifying the affects of depression on everyday life. The detailed story is far too deep for any child younger than an adolescent with an undeveloped mind, although I do believe that the author's opinion and ideas of depression and hope are significant to interested readers.
Powerful as it is, The Red Tree, has defiantly mad an impact on my views towards depression and on the way I see picture books and the importance of images and storyline. I believe this is an excellent read and would recommend it to anyone above the age of 12, as it is not suitable for young children as it has an influential meaning and tale. Clearly, I enjoyed this picture book and would defiantly give it two thumbs up.
Book Review: An outstanding Picture book by the master Shaun Tan
Summary: 3 Stars
The book "The Red Tree" written and illustrated by Shaun Tan is a multi-award winning picture book. It won Picture Book of the Year in 2002. It was published by Lothian Books in 2001.The book's general problem is depression and knowing that hope is on its way. It is fiction book but it can be based on true realities in the real world, because a lot of people go through Depression. "This is the best picture book I have ever seen. Shaun Tan has created a masterpiece" -John Marsden. In 2001, "The Lost Thing: , illustrated and written by Shaun Tan, won the Aurealis Convena's Award, gained an Honorable Mention in the international BolognaRagazzi Award and was a CBCA Honour Book.
The story begins with a little girl who seems to live a very lonely life inside her room and the life outside her room seems to be very rushed, complicated and the life outside her room seems to be very rushed, and her life seems to be a mess and a blur of harsh realities due to the illustrations. The text also seems to tell us that her life is very depressing and she is in search for hope.
It is a very interesting and attention grabbing book, because even though the story is very depressing for a 3 year old, the illustrations are a work of art, they seem to grab your attention due to the bright colours and breathtaking illustrations. I agree with the author as he shows depression as a difficult time for anyone because you are in need of hope and that hope is always present, but I disagree with the author as he puts all this cause and effect on young children who will actually read the book and won't seem to understand because they will be paying attention to the brilliant pictures. The possibilities that the book suggest is that hope is always there right in front of you, you just have to look for it when suffering a difficult problem like depression. The book although doesn't include the causes of depression so it gives hope a greater meaning to its main meaning. We know that depression leds to suicide so the book has left that out and it only shows us that there is hope. This book affected me deeply as it got to me in a good way, it showed me that there is always hope to a problem, you just have to look for it and you will find it. My opinion about Depression changed because I know now there is a way to get through it and not just for depression but for a wide range of problems. This book has showed me how lucky I am to be in this life without misery, as this little girl in the book is a depressing girl which tries to find her way through life.
I think that this book is a very interesting and it really is out of the ordinary, because its different to other book because it gives problems in life a new meaning, it only shows one way to a problem, and it is a good way, it doesn't include any negativity. I recommend this book to children at the age of 10 years and older where they will actually understand the principal of the book and the main meaning of it. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars. But overall it is a masterpiece!
Book Review: Emotional Rollercoaster through Depression & Hopelessness
Summary: 4 Stars
The Red Tree by Shaun Tan is a magnificent fictional book that is aimed for readers aged 11 and older. The story is about a young girl overcome with feelings of sadness and despair, searching for hope in her life. The theme of the story book is depression and its dark consequences.
The images used in this story book are absolutely sensational. The double-page spreads articulate the hopelessness, anxiety and fear that go with depression. Each sumptuous spread follows the girl through outrageously imagined, nightmarish landscapes that help readers to sense the character's actions and emotions.
The text is quite minimal and only a few words are found on each page. They vary in size depending on the significance of the words. Descriptive words such as "deaf" and "troubles" are made larger and bolder than other words.
Even though this picture book is extremely good, it has many aspects in which I both liked and disliked.
The aspects that I loved most were that The Red Tree is a very creative, colourful and touching book that is enjoyable to read and study. It does an exceptional job of holding my attention on examining the images and helps me to find the true meaning that lies within them.
Some of the aspects that I did not enjoy much, were that the book is quite depressing and isn't suitable for children. Both the images and texts make you empathize with the character, therefore giving you no choice but to feel what the girl is feeling (sad and down).
Overall I have enjoyed reading and studying The Red Tree extremely, as it is a great story with eye-catching and meaningful illustrations, which helps to keep the reader interested until the last sentence. I recommend this wonderful book for all readers who are interested in enthralling fantasies, which obtain dark fears and depression's shocking power.