Long ago, there was a tree who loved a boy. She gave him all she had, until she had no more to give.
Welcome to the June 26th stop on the blog tour for The Giving Back Tree by Tarky Lee with Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, more reviews & guest posts, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.
Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means there is no additional cost to you if you shop using my links, but I will earn a small percentage in commission. A program-specific disclaimer is at the bottom of this post.
Author Guest Post
What is your book about and what has it taught you?
The Giving Back Tree is an original take on the classic tale of a tree who gave everything. Long ago, there was a tree who loved a boy. She gave him all she had, until she had no more to give. But what happens to the tree after the boy is gone? So begins the inspiring and heartwarming tale of a young girl who meets the tree and loves her without expectation.
Love is a powerful healing force in this tender and magical adventure that reminds us the end is also a new beginning. Beautifully written and illustrated, The Giving Back Tree teaches a simple lesson: we can grow back.
In the process of writing this story, I found myself confronted not only with my perspectives of the past but also asking myself, how do I feel about giving and receiving? I learned so much by writing this book but ultimately learned that the two forces of giving and receiving love are the MOST important things we do as human beings. Receiving love even when you feel you have nothing left is incredibly humbling and as so many struggle with mental health issues, I wanted to write a book that gave people hope. I hope people remember that receiving love when you feel you have no more left can help inspire you to grow back. Below are my top 5 lessons about Giving back!
- Giving is a form of love: “This is the miracle that happens every time to those who really love: the more they give, the more they possess.” Rainer Maria Rilke
- Giving is AS important as receiving: Being able to receive from others is a gift you give the giver.
- Giving helps us feel connected: We are inextricably connected to one another. It is often the lifeline that saves and helps us flourish. We are not alone.
- Giving to yourself matters: Everyone needs to learn that taking good care of ourselves is a form of giving to the people who love us. We all have mental and physical limits. It’s like being on an airplane, remember to put the oxygen mask on yourself first.
- You always have something to give: No matter how limited you feel, just your presence is a present. You being in a room and being with people who love you IS enough.
About the Book
The Giving Back Tree
by Tarky Lee
Published 11 April 2023
Gullet Publications
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Page Count: 42
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!
The Giving Back Tree is an original take on the classic tale of a tree who gave everything. Love is a healing force in this tender and magical story that reminds us the end is also a new beginning. We CAN grow back.
Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | B&N
My Review
My Rating: 4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Consider liking my review on Goodreads
I wanted granted complimentary access to The Giving Back Tree by Tarky Lee as part of my participation in a blog tour for this title with Goddess Fish Promotions. Thank you for the opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.
The Giving Back Tree is the story of a tree that was loved by two people: first a boy, who grew into a man who only took from the tree, then by a girl, who grew into a young woman who cared for, celebrated, and protected the tree’s stump until it sprouted new life. As someone who grew up in British Columbia in the old growth forests, I’ve always found “nurse trees” to be so magical and so special, so this story stirs up lots of fond memories.
The art style reminds me of the illustrations in Shel Silverstein books, except as the stump sprouts new life some green is added to the black and white line art. It’s an interesting effect, but I think it would have been more effective using this selective colour if the tree had started out green and lost its colour as the man took from it. Gaining green as the girl/woman loves it is nice, but RE-gaining it would have been more powerful.
About the Author
Tarky Lee is an Oakland, California based queer artist, writer, activist, and professional child care provider. She believes the stories we tell ourselves and others have the power to reshape our lives and heal our hearts. This is her first illustrated publication. She looks forward to sharing many more of her books, ideas, and art with the world.
Tarky is a name given to the author by a powerful spirit she nannied named Alaska. Lee is the author’s middle name. The pen name Tarky Lee is a dedication to the child that lives in us all.
Giveaway Alert!
Tarky Lee will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B&N gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway| March 27 | Long and Short Reviews | April 3 | Sandra’s Book Club |
| April 3 | Travel the Ages | April 10 | Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews |
| April 17 | Literary Gold | April 24 | Joanne Guidoccio |
| May 1 | Hope. Dreams. Life…. Love | May 8 | All the Ups and Downs |
| May 15 | Fabulous and Brunette | May 22 | The Avid Reader |
| May 29 | The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection | June 5 | Paws.Read.Repeat |
| June 12 | Gina Rae Mitchell | June 19 | Our Town Book Reviews |
| June 26 | Westveil Publishing | July 10 | Iron Canuck Reviews & More |
| July 17 | Splashes of Joy |
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Thanks for hosting!
What a great story about a tree that believe in to tell there wishes!!!
This book sounds like a great retelling. Loved the original.
The book sounds very interesting.
Do you have a favorite time of day you prefer to do your writing?
Do have a family member or friend who inspires you?
This sounds like a wonderful book.