The Arrival by Shaun Tan

 Bibliography

Tan, S. (2006). The Arrival. A.A. Levine. ISBN 9780439895293

Plot Summary

A man leaves his family and home to immigrate to another country in search of a better life for his family. Unfamiliar with all of the new places, people, language, and more, the man slowly begins to find his way and a new beginning. Eventually earning enough money to bring his family to his new home, the family is reunited. Through graphics alone, the story of an immigrant is portrayed to give homage to all of those before him who have braved the journey to a new place and a new life. 

Critical Analysis

In this wordless graphic novel, author Shaun Tan provides the reader with a powerful story of immigration. Through the use of masterfully crafted illustrations, a story is told of a man leaving his home to seek a new life for his family. Carefully illustrated and muted colored pictures with astonishing and eye-catching detail exude elements of the immigrant’s story. Purposeful depictions of unique and nontraditional structures, items, and animals portray the mysteriousness that many immigrants encounter upon arriving in a new country or land. The author has created a silent but powerful depiction of the unknown many immigrants faces.  

Review Excerpt(s)

"A silent, fantastical masterpiece... 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

"An unashamed paean to the immigrant's spirit, tenacity and guts, perfectly crafted for maximum effect." — Kirkus

"Few will remain unaffected by this timeless stunner." — Publishers Weekly

Connections

For additional activities related to the book:

• Ask the students to remember a trip or a journey they took to a new place or destination.

Have them write about the following: 

1. Where the trip started

2. How they felt at the beginning of the trip

3. Where the trip ended

4. How they felt at the end of the trip

5. What they did during the trip

6. How they felt during the trip

Ask them to share with a partner what they wrote.

• Have students create a graphic story depicting a trip they have taken.

• Have a discussion with students after reading the book: 

1. What did you notice about the book? 

2. What questions do you have? 

3. Why do you think the book doesn’t have any words? 

4. What do you notice about the order of the pictures? 

5. What is happening at the beginning of the book? What tells you that?

6. What looks real in the book? 

7. What looks imaginary? 

8. Why do you think the author drew these pictures that way? 

9. Can you make connections to events in your own lives? To other stories you’ve read? To events in newspapers? 

Other recommended books if you liked this one: 

• Cicada by Shaun Tan
• Flotsam by David Wiesner
• The Rabbits by John Marsden