This book is an experience. Shaun Tan's mind, I don't even know how you would describe it and coupled with his extremely beautiful art, it's just mind blowing. Basically everything you've ever heard about Shaun Tan is true, he's a master and this book is a true gem.

The stories range from one page to several, from tiny simple illustrations to full page extremely detailed ones. I haven't read his book The Arrival yet, but Tales From Outer Suburbia sure seems like a masterwork to me. Even the Table of Contents which is usually very simple in books is extremely beautiful, it might actually be my favorite page in the book. It is a series of postage stamps one for each story.

While the stories explore a variety of situations and events they all carry this feeling of a beautiful and haunting imagination. Pick this book up now, seriously. ( )

I know of Shaun Tan from his earlier book, "The Arrival". This predecessor I thought was absolutely amazingly stunning, but it really didn't prepare me for "Tales from Outer Suburbia". In this book, the artwork actually takes second place to the writing which varies from stories any child or adult-with-whimsy might love, to stories that are politically biting, and nothing a young child could grasp.

There is one story, for example, that blithely describes the 'arms race'. Except in this case, the missiles were parceled out to regular joes like you and me. Tan describes how at first it was a rather novel event. The government would send out a letter, and a week later your missile would arrive. After awhile though, it became an event of little interest, which is when families began to take a more creative interest in the weapons. (And no, I won't say more.)

I found all of the writing to be very good. In fact, at times it was nearly poetic. But despite the quality, the tales never lost their humorous edge. Nor did they develop any sameness.

No, "Tales from Outer Suburbia" was great fun to read. It's a book I'd happily send to most of my "adult" friends. And it's a book I think should appeal to the YA and even the MG (middle school) crowd. Stories told graphically, with words this time.

Pam T~
mom and reviewer at BooksforKids-reviews.com

Brilliantly surreal short stories with fabulous illustrations. A sophisticated picture book that everyone will want to own. JH

Lovely graphic novel of short stories that reminded me of 'The Little Prince' because you can get something different out of it each time you read it. Beautiful artwork. ( )

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. ( )