Item: The Giving Back Tree
Author: Gina

The Giving Back Tree by Tarky Lee | 5-Star Children’s Book for ALL Ages!

A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.

Book Details

The Giving Back Tree by Tarky Lee
Published by Gullet Publishing Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Family & Relationships / General, Inspirational & Personal Growth, Multi-Generational, Social Themes, Children's
Format: eBook, Hardcover
Pages: 42

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.

Source: Goddess Fish Promotions

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Excerpt from The Giving Back Tree

Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.

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Purchase Links for The Giving Back Tree

Amazon – OneLink for every country

Bookshop/IndieBound

The Giving Back Tree Shop on Amazon

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About Tarky Lee

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.

To follow this and other works @TarkyLee or email TarkyLeeBooks@gmail.com

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram

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Guest Post from the author, Tarky Lee

How did you come to write the story of The Giving Back Tree?

Seven years ago, I changed my fate. Switching careers from being a corporate public relations
managing a professional child care provider was the best decision I ever made. Working with kids again saved my soul. One night I read Shel Silversein’s book The Giving Tree to a kiddo before bed. When I closed the book, she looked at me with such heaviness and said, “That’s a very sad story about the tree. I am too sad to sleep now.” I felt deeply I had inadvertently brought on some heavy life lessons.

Sitting there with her tender young spirit in my arms, I asked her, “what do you think happens to the tree stump?” We imagined a little girl finding the tree stump and loving her so much that she found it in herself to grow back. The exercise of creating a new story inspired hope. I tucked her in and felt an idea be born.

When I told friends about this experience with the kiddo, the conversations we had around the ways we learned about giving were profound. Over the next year, I wrote a story that stands on its own as a new chapter of life through the simple metaphor of loving someone who feels they have nothing left to give.

Generations of people grew up with Shel Silverstein’s books. His works felt like the first time an adult was honest about the strange and confusing experience of being a human. His works have inspired much of my own artistic expression and freedom. My hope is that we learn from both the stories of our past and are brave enough to create new tales for our future. The story of this tree belongs to us all. Healing is a fundamental part of this tale. The Giving Back Tree is here to remind us, we can grow back.

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My thoughts on The Giving Back Tree

The Giving Back Tree is a remarkable and personable tale that breathes new life into the timeless story of a selfless tree. Tarky Lee has ingeniously crafted a social commentary that speaks directly to the generational healing needed in our modern times.

The story transports us to a bygone era, where a tree’s love for a boy knows no bounds. She showers him with all she has, pouring her heart and soul into their relationship until there is nothing left to give. But what becomes of the tree once the boy is gone? This is where the inspiring and heartwarming journey begins, as a young girl encounters the tree and showers her with pure, unconditional love.

Love, depicted as a potent healing force, is the driving theme of this tender and enchanting adventure. The Giving Back Tree reminds us that every ending carries the seeds of a new beginning. The book’s narrative and illustrations blend seamlessly, creating a captivating experience for readers of all ages.

The simple language in The Giving Back Tree ensures that even the youngest readers can enjoy and comprehend the story’s profound message. It is an ideal choice for children, as well as those who believe they have outgrown children’s picture books. I found myself deeply moved by the tale, to the point of tears—an extraordinary testament to its emotional impact on readers.

Through its pages, The Giving Back Tree reaches deep into the recesses of the heart, sparking hope for a brighter future. Tarky Lee’s skill as an artist and storyteller shines through, assuring us that we are in capable hands. This book serves as a beacon, reminding us all that growth is always possible, even when we believe we have been stripped bare.

In conclusion, The Giving Back Tree by Tarky Lee is an exceptional work that transcends age boundaries. Its endearing story and inclusive, diverse illustrations makes it a must-read for anyone seeking solace, inspiration, and a gentle reminder of the power of love. With this masterpiece, Lee cements their position as a talented artist who understands the importance of storytelling as a means of healing and growth.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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Purchase The Giving Back Tree online from a local bookstore.

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Easy Amazon Info Link

Amazon – OneLink for every country

If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:

Amazon – Canada

Amazon – France

Amazon – Germany

Amazon – United Kingdom

Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.

The Giving Back Tree Shop on Amazon