The Shady Tree

August 29, 2016
Acclaimed for her elegantly illustrated picture-book biographies, Demi revisits another of her signature genres—Chinese folktales—in this graceful story of generosity trumping selfishness. Tan Tan, a “very rich boy” with exquisitely embroidered clothing and a chronic scowl, lives in an imposing house, playing by himself with his “very expensive toys” underneath a nearby tree. When he finds a “very poor boy” named Ping, previously seen in Demi’s The Empty Pot (1990), enjoying the shade of the tree one day, an outraged Tan Tan insists that he owns the tree, but agrees to sell Ping its shade. Ping then follows the shade wherever it goes, including inside Tan Tan’s home, inviting his human and animal friends indoors as well, and eventually forcing Tan Tan out of the house entirely. Demi replicates the simplicity and directness of her storytelling in lovely mixed-media pictures that feature miniature-scaled images, framed by unadorned circular borders, drawing clear contrasts between the boys’ temperaments, and between the showy mansion and the simple pleasures offered by the tree. Ages 4–8.

A poor boy tricks a rich one into selling the shade of his tree.Demi returns with another Chinese-inspired tale rendered in her distinct, meticulous watercolors. Tan Tan is a rich boy who lives in a big house shaded by a large tree. One day he spots Ping, a poor boy, sitting under the tree's branches and declares he owns all of the tree--including its shade. Ping tricks greedy Tan Tan into selling him its shade. Much to Tan Tan's dismay, Ping and his friends (both animal and human) sit in the tree's shade wherever it lands: on Tan Tan's bed and even at his birthday party. Frustrated, Tan Tan abandons his home to move into one with no tree, no shade--and no friends. Ping invites his friends to move into the empty house with him and soon accepts Tan Tan's return with open arms. Like a folk tale, Demi's story presents a bad-versus-good scenario with no gray in between. While Tan Tan's selfishness is hardly admirable, trickster Ping cheerfully takes advantage of their agreement. When Tan Tan's return is accepted without explanation or apology, readers can't tell whether this was Ping's plan all along or whether he just had a sudden change of heart. Demi's paintings are framed in large medallions on every page, her palette contrasting Tan Tan's red-and-gold outfit to Ping's simple white one. An oversimplified tale of greed and generosity. (Picture book. 3-6) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 15, 2016
Preschool-K Demi retells a Chinese folktale using artistic elements that reflect the story's culture. Her richly colored, delicate drawings are outlined with fine lines and emphasize patterns in nature and human action (notice the groupings of children). Cultural symbols, including colorful kites, foo dogs, yin-yang, animals of the zodiac, and traditional Chinese buildings, appear alongside children shown in classical clothing. All of the action occurs within large circles floating on a white background, lending a distinct once-upon-a-time feel while also reminding the reader of the value of sharing. Tan Tan, a spoiled rich boy, refuses to share his tree with Ping, a poor boy. But when he agrees to let Ping purchase just the tree's shade, Ping ends up with much more than either boy originally plannedthough eventually, he even shares his bounty with Tan Tan. Pair with The Little Tree That Would Not Share (2016), by Nicoletta Costa, for another way to be reminded of the virtues and joy of sharing.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)