The Red Tree, written and illustrated by Shaun Tan, is a picture book that presents a fragmented journey through a dark and frightening world. The illustrations are detailed and surreal. The text is sparse and matches the dark tone of the illustrations.

The story is based on images inspired by the experience of depression. The main character is a lonely red-headed girl. The Red Tree follows the girl through her day; it states how she feels and depicts her dark, gloomy worries. Almost unnoticed in each picture is a small red leaf (symbolising hope). At the end of the story, the little girl stands smiling at a beautiful red-leafed tree growing in her bedroom.

This book is one of the many picture story books by Shaun Tan, others also addressing issues such as immigration and cultural differences. (From: Wikipedia)

Shaun Tan (born 1974) is the illustrator and author of award winning children's books such as The Red Tree and The Lost Thing.

Tan was born in Fremantle, Western Australia in 1974 and, after freelancing for some years from a studio at Mount Lawley, relocated to Melbourne, Victoria in 2007. In 2006, his wordless graphic novel The Arrival won the "Book of the Year" prize as part of the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards. The same book won the Children's Book Council of Australia "Picture Book of the Year" award in 2007.

Tan was the University of Melbourne's Department of Language Literacy and Arts Education Illustrator In Residence for two weeks through an annual Fellowship offered by the May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust.

In 2010, Shaun Tan will be Artist Guest of Honor at the 68th World Science Fiction Convention to be held in Melbourne, Australia. (From: Wikipedia)