The Shade Tree by Suzy Lee

From Hans Christian Andersen award winner Suzy Lee comes an inventive retelling of a Korean folk tale about a young traveler who outwits a rich, selfish man to ensure that villagers will always be able to rest in the shade of a magnificent tree.

"A gorgeous fable celebrating generosity and wit."-Kirkus, STARRED review

Villagers like to come to rest and cool down in the shade of a huge, old tree. But when a young traveler decides to join them one day, a rich man on whose land the tree stands demands they leave because he owns the tree and therefore its shade. Thinking fast, the traveler strikes a deal: one that will enable him to outsmart the rich man-and ensure that the villagers will always have access to the shade tree's shade, wherever it may fall.

With simple, elegant illustrations, The Shade Tree is a striking story about one person's quest to combat greed for the greater good.

An Aldana Libros Book, Greystone Kids

2022 Hans Christian Andersen Award winning illustrator Suzy Lee is a critically acclaimed, award-winning Korean picture book artist and illustrator. Her books include Mirror, Wave, and Shadow, which are known collectively as "The Border Trilogy."

Helen Mixter is a writer and the translator of several children's books, including the Governor General's Award-winning Harvey.

"Purchase for all picture bookshelves."
-School Library Journal

"Captivating... a great choice for story sequencing and problem-resolution...would allow even pre-readers familiar with the story to follow along and re-tell it on their own."
-Children's Literature

"Children can learn much from this carefully constructed parable... The Shade Tree shows us that we can greatly enrich our lives by reaching out-and sharing."
-Quill & Quire

"Certain to resonate with young readers."
-Publishers Weekly

"Delicate paintwork... Suzy Lee uses spare language and illustration to retell a traditional Korean folktale."
-The Wall Street Journal

"Small but evocative artistic details continually reward re-readers... All the cleverer for its minimal depictions, this tale has maximal resonance as societies embrace collaborative solidarity and community care."
-The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books review

"(A) thought-provoking volume about sharing, community and the undoing of selfishness."
-STARRED Youth Service Book Review

"The soothing cadence of the story paired with the simple but beautiful illustrations and amusing ending make for a calming and satisfying read, translated from Korean and reformatted for a North American audience. A gorgeous fable celebrating generosity and wit."
-Kirkus, STARRED review