LS5603: Fantasy 3—“The Arrival" By Shaun Tan

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Tan, Shaun. The Arrival. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2006. ISBN 978-0-439-89529-3

2.     PLOT SUMMARY
This wordless graphic novel follows an immigrant traveling from one fantastical land to another (albeit one that seems less dangerous). He arrives alone, leaving his family in his country. He searches for work and meets people that help him in his new life.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS characters, plot, setting, theme, style, authenticity

            Although people say that a picture is worth a thousand words, it can be difficult to establish a character’s personality or explain their motives with no words at all, especially in a way that moves a story along, but this poses no problem to Shaun Tan, who introduces characters with personality and clear actions throughout the book, many complete with backstory.

            The setting is very fantastical, with otherworldly creatures and sights. All the writing is in a script that is not an alphabet on Earth, which neither the main character nor the reader can read, which helps immerse the reader in how the character feels. The whole book is done in either sepia tone or black and white (for flashbacks) which makes it feel like one is going through an old photo album.  

4.     REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

·         From School Library Journal: "  Young readers will be fascinated by the strange new world the artist creates, complete with floating elevators and unusual creatures, but may not realize the depth of meaning or understand what the man's journey symbolizes. More sophisticated readers, however, will grasp the sense of strangeness and find themselves participating in the man's experiences. They will linger over the details in the beautiful sepia pictures and will likely pick up the book to pore over it again and again."

·         From Booklist: " Soft brushstrokes and grand Art Deco–style architecture evoke a time long ago, but the story's immediacy and fantasy elements will appeal even to readers younger than the target audience, though they may miss many of the complexities. Filled with subtlety and grandeur, the book is a unique work that not only fulfills but also expands the potential of its form."

5.     CONNECTIONS

Other graphic novels by Shaun Tan:

Tales From Outer Suburbia ISBN 978-0545055871

Rules of Summer ISBN 978-0545639125

Lost and Found ISBN 978-0545229241

Other graphic novels that are somewhat fantastical in nature and are not what one would expect

Flight, volumes 1-8, (various artists and authors--anthology) volume 1 ISBN: 978-0345496362

Explorer: The Mystery Boxes edited by Kazu Kibuishi (anthology) ISBN 978-1419700095

The Last Dragon by Jane Yolen ISBN 978-1595827982

  

Activity: 24 Hour Comic Book Day

Once a year, the comic community holds a “24 hour comic book day,” a challenge similar to NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). NaNoWriMo is a challenge to write a novel in a month; 24 Hour Comic Book Day is a challenge to write a 24 page comic in 24 hours. Many comic book stores sponsor the day and a place for artists and writers to stay for 24 hours while they work on creations. While this might not be feasible for a school or library, a similar challenge can be put out to groups of students; to create their own comic. Comics like The Arrival or the short story comics of Flight are great introductions for students to show that there are more varieties of comics than just Batman and Calvin and Hobbes  and can encourage new ideas. The official page for 24 Hour Comic Book Day is http://www.24hourcomicsday.com/