The Arrival by Shaun Tan. Lothian Books.

When is a children's book not a children's book? Look at this one to find out.

I say look at it rather than read it because there are no words.Rather it is 128 pages of haunting and evocative, monotone-tint illustrations, (reminiscent of Grandma's photographs), making up a remarkable if somewhat threatening series of connecting images.

But be warned this is not a book you can just glance at and understand. "Reading" it is a difficult and demanding exercise and the further you get into it the more puzzling and surreal it becomes.

Essentially it is the story of a migrant with only a battered suitcase and a handful of cash finding his way in a strange new city.At first one thinks our nameless protagonist has arrived at Ellis Island in New York, and there are clearly influences of that place, but no, it soon becomes apparent that we are not in New York or for that matter anywhere else that can be reconised.It is a strange and bewildering country for our new arrival, and I must say for the reader/viewer.

I looked and digested this book with three adult friends and collectively we decided that the book is about the confusion that frequently accompanies migration as migrants struggle to cope without language, and often without family as in this case, in a foreign land.

Shaun Tan was born and resides in Perth, Western Australia and has received much favourable comment for the five earlier titles he has illustrated particularly 'The Rabbits" which was created with text from noted writer for young adults, John Marsden.

This new title, superbly designed to make it look something like an old and much loved family photograph album, will undoubtedly create a lot of comment and discussion but I doubt whether it will become a best-seller as so few of us are certain how to handle books without text. A shame because the artwork took Tan four years to complete.

The comment on the back-cover is that "this silent graphic novel is the story of every migrant, every refugee, every displaced person, and a tribute to all of those who have made the journey." Maybe, have a look at it and decide for yourself.

It is worth having a look at Shaun Tan's most attractive website if you would like to know more about him and his books- www.shauntan.net


Talking of children's books I note that "Eats,Shoots & Leaves" by Lynne Truss has been adapted for young children so if you feel your kids are not being taught grammar adequately at school, as one hears so often from parents, then this might help!