Praise for The Arrival:A New York Times Best Illustrated Book* "Filled with both subtlety and grandeur, the book is a unique work that not only fulfills but also expands the potential of its form." -- Booklist, starred review* "An unashamed paean to the immigrant's spirit, tenacity and guts, perfectly crafted for maximum effect." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Few will remain unaffected by this timeless stunner." -- Publishers Weekly, starred reviewPraise for Tales from Outer Suburbia:A New York Times Best Illustrated Book* "The thoughtful and engaged reader will take from these stories an experience as deep and profound as with anything he has ever read." -- Booklist, starred review* "Graphic-novel and text enthusiasts alike will be drawn to this breathtaking combination of words and images." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Tan's work overflows with human warmth and childlike wonder." -- New York TimesPraise for Lost & Found: Three by Shaun Tan:* "These stories representing the visionary work of a master storyteller, illustrator, and designer who cares deeply about his message deserve a place in almost every collection." -- Booklist, starred review"Shaun Tan rocks my retinas... The book is gorgeously designed, the stories are evocative and mysterious, and every page of Tan's paintings -- I can't bring myself to call them mere illustrations -- commands long moments of study." -- Cleveland Plain DealerPraise for The Bird King: An Artist's Notebook:* "The sharing of unfinished work is a generous gesture, and the collection is a treasure trove for any young artist who wants to know more about how ideas are captured on paper." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review* "Unmistakable are his flawless craftsmanship, his organically industrial yet timeless aesthetic, and his lyrically haunting style and tone... A powerful springboard for the imagination." -- Booklist, starred reviewPraise for Rules of Summer:* "As always, the swirl of emotion that Tan's artwork kicks up lingers long after the book is closed." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review* "Sumptuous and sincere -- this title is a winner." -- School Library Journal, starred reviewPraise for The Singing Bones:"[Tan's] starkly lit sculptures... have a look reminiscent of Inuit art; they appear simplified and smoothed by many hands. Their scale is hard to gauge. They seem simultaneously monumental and small enough to tuck in a pocket, like Japanese netsuke." -- New York Times Book Review* "Although readers can only see Tan's remarkable artistry in two dimensions, the figures exert an almost primal force. Rather than simply represent what happens in these stories, these pieces embody their power." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
Praise for The Arrival:
A New York Times Best Illustrated Book
* "Filled with both subtlety and grandeur, the book is a unique work that not only fulfills but also expands the potential of its form." -- Booklist, starred review
* "An unashamed paean to the immigrant's spirit, tenacity and guts, perfectly crafted for maximum effect." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Few will remain unaffected by this timeless stunner." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
Praise for Tales from Outer Suburbia:
A New York Times Best Illustrated Book
* "The thoughtful and engaged reader will take from these stories an experience as deep and profound as with anything he has ever read." -- Booklist, starred review
* "Graphic-novel and text enthusiasts alike will be drawn to this breathtaking combination of words and images." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Tan's work overflows with human warmth and childlike wonder." -- New York Times
Praise for Lost & Found: Three by Shaun Tan:
* "These stories representing the visionary work of a master storyteller, illustrator, and designer who cares deeply about his message deserve a place in almost every collection." -- Booklist, starred review
"Shaun Tan rocks my retinas... The book is gorgeously designed, the stories are evocative and mysterious, and every page of Tan's paintings -- I can't bring myself to call them mere illustrations -- commands long moments of study." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer
Praise for The Bird King: An Artist's Notebook:
* "The sharing of unfinished work is a generous gesture, and the collection is a treasure trove for any young artist who wants to know more about how ideas are captured on paper." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "Unmistakable are his flawless craftsmanship, his organically industrial yet timeless aesthetic, and his lyrically haunting style and tone... A powerful springboard for the imagination." -- Booklist, starred review
Praise for Rules of Summer:
* "As always, the swirl of emotion that Tan's artwork kicks up lingers long after the book is closed." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "Sumptuous and sincere -- this title is a winner." -- School Library Journal, starred review
Praise for The Singing Bones:
"[Tan's] starkly lit sculptures... have a look reminiscent of Inuit art; they appear simplified and smoothed by many hands. Their scale is hard to gauge. They seem simultaneously monumental and small enough to tuck in a pocket, like Japanese netsuke." -- New York Times Book Review
* "Although readers can only see Tan's remarkable artistry in two dimensions, the figures exert an almost primal force. Rather than simply represent what happens in these stories, these pieces embody their power." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ 2018-10-23
Tan's narratives often critique traditional office culture; this one features the inhumane treatment of the protagonist, a cicada dressed in a four-armed gray suit, complete with tie and pocket square.
Oriented vertically, the insect does not reach the top of his human co-workers' desks, thus skewing the perspective so their heads are not visible. The green data entry clerk works in a gray maze of cubicles. Despite his exceptional performance and strong work ethic, he must walk blocks to a bathroom and is physically bullied. Readers will recognize forms of marginalization throughout, i.e., the elevator buttons are too high, poverty forces residency in the office wall. Cicada language is primitive and rhythmic: "Seventeen year. No promotion. / Human resources say cicada not human. / Need no resources. / Tok Tok Tok!" The last line is a refrain following each brief description, suggesting both the sound of a clock (time passing) and the notion of cicada "talk." Upon retiring, he ascends the long stairway to the skyscraper's ledge. The oil paintings of shadowy, cramped spaces transition to a brightened sky; a split in Cicada's body reveals a molten glow. An orange-red winged nymph emerges and joins a sky full of friends flying to the forest, where they have the last laugh. No Kafkaesque conclusion here; metamorphosis brings liberation and joy.
Simultaneously sobering and uplifting, it will lead thoughtful readers to contemplate othering in their own lives. (Picture book. 12-adult)
