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. Along the way, he finds warmth and support from fellow immigrants who share their own stories. Its surreal imagery captures the universal feeling of starting over, offering older readers a moving, visually rich look at hope and belonging.
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
Books like The Arrival
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