Do you remember the water buffalo at the end of our street, or the deep-sea diver we found near the underpass? Do you know why dogs bark in the middle of the night?A new picture book from the international award-winning illustrator Shaun Tan, "Tales from Outer Suburbia" is a unique and inspiring collection of original stories and illustrations.Shaun Tan, creator of "The Arrival", "The Lost Thing" and "The Red Tree", reveals the quiet mysteries of everyday life: homemade pets, dangerous weddings, and secret rooms filled with darkness and delight!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
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Length:
0:18
Mins
I bought this book thinking it was an art book, but it's not. Tales From Outer Suburbia is more of an illustrated story book containing 15 short fantasy stories. And it's a children's book, but more for those above 12 year old because some of the stories are, well, very surreal. It's the surrealism of the illustrations that really caught my attention.
Shawn Tan has a knack of storytelling mixing illustrations and words. He would sometimes end a story arc with a two page illustration to bring the story in full effect. For example, in the story called Grandpa's Story, there will be pages of single panels to show his Scavenger Hunt journey before he can marry. In another story Distant Rain, it was told in the form of a newspaper print.
The stories are really surreal and imaginative. Two things come to my mind when reading are Roald Dahl and Big Fish the movie. All great works of surrealism. Anyone who likes the two should like this book.
There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.
Shawn Tan has a knack of storytelling mixing illustrations and words. He would sometimes end a story arc with a two page illustration to bring the story in full effect. For example, in the story called Grandpa's Story, there will be pages of single panels to show his Scavenger Hunt journey before he can marry. In another story Distant Rain, it was told in the form of a newspaper print.
The stories are really surreal and imaginative. Two things come to my mind when reading are Roald Dahl and Big Fish the movie. All great works of surrealism. Anyone who likes the two should like this book.
There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Anne Strong
Format:Hardcover
THis is really a children's book, but with a difference, the tales all have a twist, not always a happy or predictable ending, eg the children who walk so far they really do reach the end of the world. But the illustrations are fantastic and quirky
Its a book to treasure - and keep away from the children !
Its a book to treasure - and keep away from the children !
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By TeensReadToo
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
Welcome to the suburbs of Australia as seen through the eyes of author Shaun Tan. This collection of fifteen stories is creatively written and illustrated. A comment on the last page mentions that the book was created with the assistance of "the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body."
Not only are readers presented with tales inspired by humor and often bizarre events, but they are also treated to unique, eye-catching artwork with each story. One story, titled "Stick Figures," asks readers to imagine twig-like creatures that roam the neighborhoods. Their stick bodies and sod heads are magical and mysterious.
"Eric" is a foreign exchange student like no other you can imagine. His view of our world and the things he takes from it will make readers look more closely at the little things in their everyday lives.
"Distant Rain" is created on bits and scraps of paper. It presents the idea that all the snippets, phrases, and sound bytes people encounter daily might all blend together in a massive ball like bits and pieces of poetry. "A vast accumulation of papery bits that ultimately takes to the air, levitating by the sheer force of so much unspoken emotion" will have readers appreciating the written and spoken word on a whole new level.
My favorite of the stories is "Alert but Not Alarmed." Here readers are asked to visualize a neighborhood where every backyard includes a huge "intercontinental ballistic missile." Placed there by the government, these missiles are at the ready to protect the neighborhoods from harm. As the years go by and the missiles remain unfired, people begin to develop their own unique ways to utilize each missile. Their protection changes from objects of deadly force and destruction to objects of art and usefulness.
Author Shaun Tan provides entertainment and a good deal of food for thought in TALES FROM OUTER SUBURBIA. It is an excellent source of creative writing ideas and genre variety to be used with students of just about any age.
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
Not only are readers presented with tales inspired by humor and often bizarre events, but they are also treated to unique, eye-catching artwork with each story. One story, titled "Stick Figures," asks readers to imagine twig-like creatures that roam the neighborhoods. Their stick bodies and sod heads are magical and mysterious.
"Eric" is a foreign exchange student like no other you can imagine. His view of our world and the things he takes from it will make readers look more closely at the little things in their everyday lives.
"Distant Rain" is created on bits and scraps of paper. It presents the idea that all the snippets, phrases, and sound bytes people encounter daily might all blend together in a massive ball like bits and pieces of poetry. "A vast accumulation of papery bits that ultimately takes to the air, levitating by the sheer force of so much unspoken emotion" will have readers appreciating the written and spoken word on a whole new level.
My favorite of the stories is "Alert but Not Alarmed." Here readers are asked to visualize a neighborhood where every backyard includes a huge "intercontinental ballistic missile." Placed there by the government, these missiles are at the ready to protect the neighborhoods from harm. As the years go by and the missiles remain unfired, people begin to develop their own unique ways to utilize each missile. Their protection changes from objects of deadly force and destruction to objects of art and usefulness.
Author Shaun Tan provides entertainment and a good deal of food for thought in TALES FROM OUTER SUBURBIA. It is an excellent source of creative writing ideas and genre variety to be used with students of just about any age.
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dreaming Tales
I've read it in one sitting, ok it's not that big, but even though, you can't put it aside! Poetry for your eyes and your heart!!
Published 4 months ago by Agathi K. Darlasi
5.0 out of 5 stars
I know you think you saw him first, but I'm pretty sure it was me...
Page 1. A Man stands on a suburban street holding a hosepipe. Floating down the street is a woman in a boat. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Eileen Shaw
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another gem from Shaun Tan
A great collection of writing, beautiful illustrations and fantastical ideas from Shaun Tan.
For people of all ages who like a slightly different slant on the world!
For people of all ages who like a slightly different slant on the world!
Published 16 months ago by Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fab bedtime book!
I read this to my eight-year old before bed. The stories are short enough for bed-time, and give us both plenty to talk and think about. The pictures are wonderful. Read more
Published 19 months ago by wendy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exceeded Expectations...and that's saying something!
I was already a Shaun Tan fan thanks to the beautiful 'The Red Tree', so was very much drawn to this book hoping it would be in a similar vein. I was not disappointed. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Antiquated Entertainer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sublime
Absolutely marvellous book - Tan shows his usual gift for finding the sublime in the mundane. Can't recommend it enough.
Published on 19 Mar 2011 by Faye
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shaun Tan is a stunning picture book write and illustrator
Shaun Tan's unique stories coupled with innovative, detailed and gorgeous illustrations make this book truly one of its kind. Read more
Published on 9 May 2010 by Intrepid Newbie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
One of my newly found favourite illustrators, dazzling imagination, perfect technique. For art lovers who still have the eyes of a child.
Published on 8 May 2010 by S. G. Panizo
4.0 out of 5 stars
Charming, whimsical, thought-provoking... only wish it were longer!
Beautiful illustrations and intriguing stories... the sort of book that you spend much more time mulling over than actually reading!
Published on 26 Feb 2010 by Jessica Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
If you are looking for something that is a little bit different I would thoroughly recommend this book. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2010 by A. Chang
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