Tools for this page
Print

The Arrival

(2007, Fiction - Historical Fiction, Written by Shaun Tan, Illustrated by Shaun Tan)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Wordless book is a visual masterpiece.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Some images of people running from monsters. Pictures of war include skeletons, an amputee, and shattered homes.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Cigarettes pictured.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Arrival

Parents need to know that there is little to be concerned about here. But though this is a wordless picture book, it's much too hard to follow for the usual picture book audience -- it's best for middle elementary and older.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the visual metaphors throughout the book. What do the origami birds represent? What are all those monstrous shadows of tails hanging over the city?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you read it? Review It!

  • What did you think about The Arrival?
  •  I think this book is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    Visually stunning; immerses viewer in immigrant disorientation, fears, hope

    An amazing, beautiful work; deeply affecting. But I got this for myself, not for kids -- it won't necessarily be accessible to younger viewers. There are a few potentially disturbing images of just what various immigrants were fleeing. And note that the overall atmosphere/depiction of immigration is of going to a land where everything is strange and changed and slightly mysterious -- the script, the transportation, the food, the animals, the machines, the musical instruments, everything. The viewer him/herself is thereby experiencing what the immigrant experiences: the wonder, confusion, and disorientation of being in this strange new land. That's a powerful experience for the viewer with the context to understand it, but could be just baffling or off-putting for a younger kid. Despite some sad and scary memories of immigrants from various backgrounds, and difficulties and surprises in communicating, the main character finds help from other characters, and does eventually get to send for, and be re-united with, his family, so it has a positive message. If you look through it with a kid, to explain it, I could recommend it for 8+; otherwise, for viewing alone, depending on a kid's familiarity with immigrant experience, a kid might need to be quite a bit older (12+?) to appreciate it.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Book of the Week

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Another Lupica sensitive dad/son sports story.

  • Pick of the Week

    Bestselling Books

    Bestselling Books

    Popular new reads kids are buying today.

  • Game of the Week

    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name