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Most Helpful Reviews
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Liked It “I read this a couple times actually to try to figure out what the heck was going on. I still don't really know, but I think that's what I like about it. Its mysterious and creative and let's the readers use their imagination to fill in the gaps.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “I didn't really get this book. It was filled with quirky little stories that didn't make much sense to me. I'm either not deep enough to read into the extra meaning or just not smart enough. The illustrations were nice though.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“I read this a couple times actually to try to figure out what the heck was going on. I still don't really know, but I think that's what I like about it. Its mysterious and creative and let's the readers use their imagination to fill in the gaps. ”
Jill S wrote this review 2 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Beautiful illustrations and fun, odd, and sometimes bizarre stories. I bought this for the Lower School Library but I believe I will pass it on to the Upper School. Not that it isn't appropriate, I just don't think the 4th and 5th graders will "get" it. ”
Karen M wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A fabulously strange collection of illustrated short stories. this book definitely puts the fun back into reading!”
Heidi M wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Tan's collection of stories are fun and clever. The story of Eric is sweet and the illustrations are lovely and odd. It is a great book because you can pick it up and read a story at a time and admire the illustrations.”
Betsy M wrote this review Monday, November 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Fantastic surreal images and quirky little stories. A must read.”
jocelyn h wrote this review Wednesday, October 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“If you haven't read any Shaun Tan yet, what is wrong with you? The Arrival is a masterpiece for readers of all ages. Like The Arrival, Tales from Outer Suburbia is fabulous and stands up to extensive rereading, spending time examining the details of his illustrations. A good example is the title page spread, showing a woman rowing a boat through the air down a suburban street, a tiny rain cloud watering her potted plants, while a man watering his yellow lawn with a hose watches her. One of the mailboxes along the street is a birdhouse. In the newspaper stories in the background of another story, ('The Amnesia Machine'), there are entertaining bits: "Locals are warned not to approach the pink flamingo, which is considered by the authorities to be 'highly dangerous' in the absence of any evidence to the contrary. 'It's only a matter of time before it kills a small child,' said one resident too afraid to be named."
Lindy P wrote this review Friday, October 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Unlike The Arrival, Tales is not a wordless book. The stories in Tales are all brief, however, sometimes less than a page of text. Water buffalo hang out in vacant lots and give advice. Exchange students come in bizarre shapes and sizes, like Eric, who is paper-thin and about ankle-height to a human. Gifts are given to a rooftop reindeer on the nameless holiday. Hidden rooms can contain paradise gardens. Backyard missiles become part of the suburban landscape. Surrealism for everyone; Grade 4 to adult.”
“Interesting...I enjoyed it.”
Amy B wrote this review Friday, October 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“With fantastic illustrations and quirky stories, this is a favorite quick read of mine. ”
TJ Librarian wrote this review Saturday, September 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I didn't really get this book. It was filled with quirky little stories that didn't make much sense to me. I'm either not deep enough to read into the extra meaning or just not smart enough. The illustrations were nice though.”
Azuree wrote this review Tuesday, September 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book is so AWESOME!!!! Whoever likes cool illustrations and weird short stories that leave you pondering.... READ THIS BOOK!!”
Parrothead wrote this review Wednesday, September 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
