He is one of the top illustrators in the genre and I often wonder is it an injustice to call his books picture books as they are very hard to define. Tan himself refutes this, saying he completes his books without thinking of an audience but I think this book is a work of real merit. I admire Tan’s ability to produce a book which deals with the feelings of melancholy which develop in children. The book is bleak but has a hopeful ending which I felt was important to include. The text and the images combine to produce a powerful message. One of the most vibrant and vivid pictures I have ever looked at appears below to describe how wonderful things pass us by when we’re overcome with grief or sadness. The artwork in the story is a thing to behold. I have looked many times at this book and I always find something new, there are literally hundreds of shapes and hidden signs interlocked in the background and in other objects. The image below shows the sudden weight that depression could bring on a person ‘ Darkness overcomes you.’ is the line describing the image. The girl is always dwarfed by monstrous shapes and beings to underline her powerlessness in spite of her feelings. Scale and perspective are used to excellent effect in the book. Two words accompany this image: ‘ Nobody understands’ I think this haunting illustration perfectly sums up how one can feel so isolated and closed off from the world in times of stress.
Some of his descriptions for emotions are striking, as seen below.
Tan does this expertly through the use of symbols and colours. Each image from then on is describing the emotions one feels when they are overwhelmed and lost with sadness. It begins with a picture of a girl waking up in a bleak room. In my opinion this book deals with the topic of depression and sadness in children. ‘ Sometimes the day begins with nothing to look forward to.’ The blurb at the back sets the tone for the thought provoking read: It is a picture book of exquisite beauty. The Red Tree by Shaun Tan one of the most powerful books I have ever read.
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