It’s a book that inspires responses and opinions, and as such is the perfect starting point for creative work as well as discussion and debate. But children come to The Arrival with fresh minds and eyes, and find the things that matter most to them. By its nature, the book invites a slow and thoughtful exploration – the lack of words being a stimulus for the reader to create multiple layers of stories and meanings. It appeals strongly to upper KS2 children, who often respond with startling insight and maturity to its themes. The Arrival deals with some pretty big questions and is far from being a childish story. By the time our traveller’s family is able to join him, we know that they’ll be happy in this new place. But the city’s inhabitants have their own stories to tell and everyone helps out. Seeing this world through the traveller’s eyes, we are as confused as he is. Here, everything is different: language, buildings, customs, food – even the pets seem alien. If you’re looking for a book to inspire creative writing and artwork with upper KS2 children, then why not try The Arrivalby Australian illustrator, Shaun Tan? This wordless picture book invites readers to explore a strange new world in the company of a migrant who must leave his family and everything he’s ever known to make the long and difficult journey to another land.

This extraordinarily accomplished pieces of storytelling can be read and understood on many different levels.' - The Guardian You may also be interested in.What emotions will your class experience and what debates will emerge as they explore a strange new world through the eyes of a migrant in 'The reader's experience, as he or she tries to make sense of the unfamiliar scenes and strange images, parallels that of the emigrant, striving to understand without the aid of language. 'It will fascinate and occupy adults and children alike' - The Observer 'Entirely wordless, but brimming with sounds and conversations in foreign tongues, Shaun Tan's book emanates the warmth of faded photographs.' - Craig Thompson, author of Blankets It's not often you see art of this quality, or a book that's so brave.' - Marjane Satrapi, author of Persepolis and Embroideries 'Tan's lovingly laid out and masterfully rendered tale about the immigrant experience is a documentary magically told by way of Surrealism.' - Art Spiegelman, author of Maus: A Survivor's Tale 'All ages respond to this moving picture book, a moving tribute to displaced people.' - The Sunday Times

The arrival tan shaun