1. Ageing
2. Art techniques
3. Cultural diversity
4. Depression
5. Environment
6. Families
7. Grandparent and child
8. Nature
9. Rural life
10. Social life and customs
11. Towns and cities
12. Visual literacy

Once high on the mountain was one tree that marked grandfather’s farm, but he no longer lives there. That was long ago and now there is a busy city and grandfather lives with us in our apartment. Once Grandfather told wonderful stories. Now, he is silent with sad eyes and no smiles. Market trips are not as Grandfather remembers, there are no longer friends to greet, things to trade or places to play, now it’s just noise and ‘hurry up’. Every building is the same, everything is the same.

The story is told in the first person by a young boy, the grandson. He has always heard what wonderful stories his grandfather would tell and how every week he would walk to the village to eat and talk and trade with his friends. But now he doesn’t tell stories. He just stares silently with sad eyes at the painting of his mountain that is until one day the boy finds something precious in the market, something that will bring his grandfather’s memories alive.

In the cracks in the market path, he finds a tiny plant growing. He gently pulls it out and rushes home knowing his grandfather will know what to do. His grandfather is dismissive but the boy persists carefully tending the plant. Slowly the plant grows and slowly his grandfather begins to take an interest. Then one day in the market grandfather points to their balcony, now covered in trees, just as he once pointed to the one tree on the mountain.

Illustrator Bruce Whatley states that ‘For One Tree I wanted to do something new yet it had to have a traditional feel’. The digitally created illustrations replicate linocut technique that provided the traditional look he wanted. The colours are muted which adds further to the traditional sense as does the depiction of the grandfather with his long white hair and beard and his traditional clothing. This combination of old and new is in keeping with the story.

This is a gentle story that reflects on the deep connection and respect between generations in Chinese culture. Sadly, the grief the grandfather feels at the loss of his former life is not uncommon amongst older people. However, the story’s coming together of old and new does provide a sense of hope.

2020 shortlisted The Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature — Picture Fiction
2020 shortlisted New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards — Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Books

1. Penguin Australia Teaching notes for ‘One Tree’ by Christopher Cheng and Bruce Whatley https://cdn2.penguin.com.au/content/resources/TR_OneTree_Final.pdf
2. CopyrightAgency Reading Australia 2019. Teaching notes by Jantiena Batt for ‘One Tree’ by Christopher Cheng and Bruce Whatley https://readingaustralia.com.au/lesson/one-tree/#next
3. Penguin Australia 29 March 2019. ‘Creating new work with Bruce Whatley: Words from Bruce Whatley about his creative process working on One Tree’ https://www.penguin.com.au/articles/2209-behind-the-studio-door-with-bruce-whatley
4. Kids’ Book Review 20 June 2019. Anastasia Gonis reviews ‘One Tree’ by Christopher Cheng and Bruce Whatley http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2019/06/review-one-tree.html
5. ReadPlus 7 April 2019. Fran Knight reviews ‘One Tree’ by Christopher Cheng and Bruce Whatley https://www.readplus.com.au/reviews/one-tree-by-christopher-cheng
6. Reading Time 9 November 2019. Madeline Crofts reviews ‘One Tree’ by Christopher Cheng and Bruce Whatley https://readingtime.com.au/one-tree/
7. Reading Opens Doors blog [n.d.] Elise Ellerman reviews ‘One Tree’ by Christopher Cheng and Bruce Whatley https://blog.readingopensdoors.com.au/?p=1602