**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly
**Starred Review** School Library Journal
**Starred Review** ALA BookList
**Starred Review** ALA BookList
4.34 Stars from 3,374 GoodReaders
I know of Shaun Tan from his earlier book, "The Arrival". This predecessor I thought was absolutely, amazingly stunning, but it really didn't prepare me for "Tales from Outer Suburbia".
In this book, the artwork actually takes second place to the writing
which varies from stories any child or adult-with-whimsy might love, to
stories that are politically biting, and nothing a young child could
grasp.
The water buffalo
Eric
Broken toys
Distant rain
Undertow
Grandpa's story
No other country
Stick figures
The nameless holiday
The amnesia machine
Alert but not alarmed
Wake
Make your own pet
Our expedition
Night of the turtle rescue
There
is one story, for example, that blithely describes the 'arms race'.
Except in this case, the missiles were parceled out to regular joes like
you and me. Tan describes how at first it was a rather novel event.
The government would send out a letter, and a week later your missile
would arrive. After awhile though, it became an event of little
interest, which is when families began to take a more creative interest
in the weapons. (And no, I won't say more.)
I found
all of the writing to be very good. In fact, at times it was nearly
poetic. But despite the quality, the tales never lost their humorous
edge. Nor did they develop any sameness.
No, "Tales from Outer Suburbia"
was great fun to read. It's a book I'd happily send to most of my
"adult" friends. And it's a book I think should appeal to the YA and
even the MG (middle school) crowd. Stories told graphically, with
words this time.
Fantastic
Writing and Some Wonderful Artwork. A book for adults, young adults,
and the more sophisticated of the middle school crowd.
Some of the stories can certainly be read to aloud to young ones.
Pam~
TALES FROM OUTER SUBURBIA
by Shaun Tan
Reading information:
Word Count: 7,982
Page Count: 98
Accelerated Reading level: 6.5 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 128372
Reading Counts: 8.5 / points:5.0
Lexile: 1100L
The Arrival
Page Count: 128
Wordless book
updated August 2013
4 comments :
This is one of my all time favorite books. It should be noted here that this is one that can be read on so very many different levels and while it is an excellent young person's book, it is also one of those that should be on a "must read" list for all adults. This is one touching tale.
Not surprising that we agree, Don :)
I agree wholeheartedly with the first half of the second sentence of this post, leading me to believe that I'll also agree with the overall sentiment of this review. I'm definitely going to have to read more of Shaun Tan; "Tales From Outer Suburbia" looks like a good next read.
My goodness. An Anonymous Child is either up very early reading blogs, or else in a different time zone altogether.
Please get back with us and us know what YOU think.
Post a Comment