Breathtakingly illustrated and hauntingly written, Tales from Outer Suburbia is by turns hilarious and poignant, perceptive and goofy. Through a series of captivating and sophisticated illustrated stories, Tan explores the precious strangeness of our existence. He gives us a portrait of modern suburban existence filtered through a wickedly Monty Pythonesque lens. Whether it’s discovering that the world really does stop at the end of the city’s map book, or a family’s lesson in tolerance through an alien cultural exchange student, Tan’s deft, sweet social satire brings us face-to-face with the humor and absurdity of modern life.
Awards: Winner Slovenian Golden Pear Award, Best Translated Book for Children and Young Adults 2010 SI; Winner Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature, Children's Literature Award 2010 AU; Winner Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature, Premier's Award 2010 AU; Winner Ditmar Awards, Best Artwork 2009 AU; Winner CBCA Book of the Year, Older Readers, 2009 2009 AU; Winner Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis, Best Picture Book 2009 DE