The Arrival

Writer(s): Shaun Tan
Artist(s): Shaun Tan
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
ISBN: 978-0439895293
Price: $19.99
Page count: 128
Year Released: 2007
Status: in print
Original Source: n/a
Other Collected Edition(s): n/a
Genres: all ages; adventure; children's lit; fantasy; foreign lit; historical fiction; magic realism; science fiction; teen/young adult
Recommended for Fans Of:
Possibly Objectionable Material: some imagery might be frightening for very young children
If You Like This Book, Try:
Also in This Series: n/a

Plot Summary
This charming--and entirely wordless--graphic novel follows the immigration adventures of a young family man who leaves an oppressive land of menace to settle in a fantastical (and sometimes mind-boggling) world filled with unusual creatures, strange industries, and kindhearted people who share with him their own tales of the immigrant experience. As our hero comes to grips with his new life in this bizarre land, he attempts to find a job, learn the language and culture of his adopted home, and make a place for himself and his family.

My Own 2 Cents
The Arrival reminds me of the kinds of richly illustrated picture books that I would spend hours at a time reading when I was a child. Though there are no words in this book, each page is so filled with breathtaking images that I found myself spending several minutes exploring each one before turning the page. If you're looking for the perfect comic book to introduce the medium to a child in your life (or if you're looking for a comic book to help you relive the wonder you felt when you first started exploring picture books as a child), then The Arrival is probably just the book you're looking for.