Age rating and parents' guide:The Arrival
by Shaun Tan
Ages 9–14
The Arrival by Shaun Tan is best for children aged 9–14. It has mild violence, some scary moments, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Wordless; migration hardship.
Told entirely without words, this graphic novel follows a man who leaves his impoverished homeland and family to build a new life in an unfamiliar country. Through detailed sepia illustrations, readers experience his disorientation as he navigates bizarre architecture, strange languages, and curious creatures. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- Mild
- Scary moments
- Moderate
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: Wordless; migration hardship
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Graphic novel
- Easy to get into from the first page
- Pictures on almost every page
- Some emotionally heavy moments
- A good pick for reluctant readers
Great for kids who like
- Family
- Survival & resilience
- Visual storytelling
Reading mood
- Thoughtful
- Suspenseful
Good to talk about
- Family
- Survival & resilience
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Questions parents ask
Q: What age is The Arrival for?
Q: Is The Arrival appropriate for a 9 year old?
Q: What should my child read after The Arrival?
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