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Tales from Outer Suburbia
Tales from Outer Suburbia
Author: Shaun Tan
An exchange student who's really an alien, a secret room that becomes the perfect place for a quick escape, a typical tale of grandfatherly exaggeration that is actually even more bizarre than he says... These are the odd details of everyday life that grow and take on an incredible life of their own in tales and illustrations that Shaun Tan's m...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781840113136
ISBN-10: 1840113138
Publication Date: 3/2/2009
Pages: 98
Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1

5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Templar Publishing
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Tales from Outer Suburbia on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I know that it says that this book is for 4-8 year olds, but it's not. They won't get it, and will be quite bored. You need the imagination of a teen or adult to fully appreciate the deeper meanings.

Having never picked up a graphic novel, its less than 100 pages so Im not sure novel is the correct word, before I had no idea what I was in for, but if this is typical of the genre, I am a huge fan.

Short tales packed with great imagery, superb graphics, and lasting memories of great adventures and bittersweet moments. I dont think I am ever going to forget the poem, about poems. Incredible.

The book is designed for the 12 and older set and trust me, the stories are not just for the young, even those of us that have young, can get a whole lot out of these stories. Definitely a book that will stay on the shelf for a long time and brought out again and again when I need something to remind me of the truly important things in life.

The book has something for everyone, take a chance, you wont be disappointed.
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ophelia99 avatar reviewed Tales from Outer Suburbia on + 2527 more book reviews
This was a wonderful collection of short stories told in both written and graphic novel format that is 100% Tan in style and tone.

The stories are quirky and funny, sometimes darkly so. Covering topics all the way from abandoned missiles decorating peoples yard, to a daring nighttime turtle rescue, to a paper map that really does show the end of a city. The story all have a couple things in common; they talk about extraordinary things in a suburban world and they are full of irony.

I enjoyed all the short stories and the irony throughout. Tan does an excellent job of making these stories accessible on a number of different levels. They will mean different things to kids and adults, but both age groups will enjoy them thoroughly.

There is a lot of creativity in these stories and the drawings are fabulous. The drawings range from whimsical to eerie and everything in between...but they are always interesting to look at, quirky, and beautiful.

I love that I just never know what I am going to get from one story to the next. Every new story is an unexpected surprise. I also love that I can read most of these with my 6 year old son and he enjoys them just as much as I do.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of quirky stories and drawings. If you are Shaun Tan fan this is a must have. If you love graphic novels you have to check this out. Seriously this is a wonderfully creative and quirky read that will appeal to all ages. Its something I absolutely loved and I cant wait to check out more by Tan.
GeniusJen avatar reviewed Tales from Outer Suburbia on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

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.