Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan

These are fairy tales for modern times, in which there is valor, love and wisdom—without dragons and castles. The accompanying illustrations vary widely in style, medium and palette, reflecting both the events and the mood of each story, while hewing to a unifying sense of the surreal. ...  Graphic-novel and text enthusiasts alike will be drawn to this breathtaking combination of words and images. Kirkus Star review

Tales from Outer Suburbia is an anthology of fifteen short illustrated stories based on my memories of growing up in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. Each one is about a strange situation or event that occurs in an otherwise familiar suburban world; a visit from a nut-sized foreign exchange student, a sea creature on someone’s front lawn, a new room discovered in a family home, a sinister machine installed in a park, a wise buffalo that lives in a vacant lot. The real subject of each story is how ordinary people react to these incidents, and how their significance is discovered, ignored or simply misunderstood. Shaun Tan

Stories in this book are: The Water Buffalo; Eric; Broken Toys; Distant Rain; Undertow; Grandpa's Story; No other country; The Nameless Holiday; The Amnesia Machine; Stick figures; Alert but Not Alarmed; Wake; Make your own pet; Our expedition; Night of the Turtle Rescue.

I was already familiar with many of the stories in this collection especially Eric which I love (and I gifted to a young friend named Eric). 

On a recent visit to Gleebooks a customer called in to ask about Shaun Tan and Rachel Robson mentioned Tales from Outer Suburbia to the customer. She talked about binging the whole television series over one weekend and how she really thought this production deserved a lot more attention. Now jump forward a few weeks. I was visiting our local charity book sale and spied a copy of Tales from Outer Suburbia for just AUS$2 - a mint condition paperback copy. 

If you are a casual or substitute teachers try to find a copy of this book - these short stories will create magic with any class.

The story ‘Broken Toys’ developed from a drawing of an old-fashioned deep-sea diver approaching a suburban corner deli (one near my home), which naturally raised for me the question of why he was there, and where he came from. A second idea came from the fact that as children, my brother and I often lost toys over the back fence into a  neighbour’s yard, although I’m happy to say that they never came back chopped in half as they do in the story. Shaun Tan

The real idea for this story came from an anecdote told to me by a taxi-driver one day on my way to an airport. He described an incident in Lebanon where a dud missile had somehow ended up in the middle of a suburban street, and some local people seized the opportunity to take it home, disassemble it and sell it off as scrap metal. It provoked a secondary scenario in my mind, of children finding an unexploded missile, and converting it into a ‘space rocket’ cubby-house. Shaun Tan

I am sure you have seen and read many books by Shaun Tan - he won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial award in 2011. 

Here are two quotes that resonated with me from Shaun Tan's ALMA acceptance essay:

Books offer the freedom to make up our own minds, the best stories being not at all instructive or moralizing but rather asking very well-crafted questions in an entertaining way, inspiring further creative thought. 

If my work has a collective theme, it’s something like this: ‘reality is just another strange story’. It’s something we constantly narrate to ourselves through this peculiar invention of language and pictures; a project that begins in childhood and never really ends. Great books become part of our own map of experience: through reading we grasp the power and unity of our own thought and feeling. We are invited to empathise with others, to see the world from alternative angles, to wonder what it would be like to live differently, and to not feel alone when we constantly ask: ‘what if?’ 

After you read the BOOK of Tales from Outer Suburbia switch on your television and enjoy the fantastic animated series. There are ten episodes of about 20 minutes each.

I’ve always been open to the idea of taking ideas from a book transferring and transforming them into different dramatic forms. The important thing for me is not plot or even character; it’s a certain sense of place, a certain spirit, a certain way of seeing things. Shaun Tan

Tales from Outer Suburbia is full of the bizarre, presented without fanfare: deep sea divers take a walk to the corner milk bar; a tiny pointy-headed visitor moves into the crockery cupboard; sparkling goldfish swirl through the night sky. But while there are frequent fantastical elements, the story is simultaneously firmly planted in everyday suburban life. ABC News

Read this interview with Shaun Tan and the Australian Children's Television Foundation. 

I would follow Tales from Outer Suburbia with these two (one has a page from Shaun Tan):

Ten-word Tiny Tales

Ten-Word Tiny Tales of Love

Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish by Judith Rossell

Spud and Snowball are two cats living a comfortable life at home. They enjoy watching television - cartoons or cooking shows and it is fun to hiss at programs that feature dogs. One day they see a television advertisement for a new cat food called Fancy Fish. As with all good adverts this one is very persuasive, and Spud and Snowball are now certain that this food will taste delicious - way better than the Kitty-Bix they currently eat. Spud is a cat of action. She will not wait for someone to supply Fancy Fish - she jumps onto the computer and orders a big box.

Well yes, a big box does arrive and yes inside is a fancy fish but not the expected food - an actual fancy fish in a fish tank and boy oh boy he is bossy and loud. In fact, he in an opera singer named Sir Mimsy Woffle-Poffle-Foffington. I imagine Judith Rossell had so much fun dreaming up that name.

Have you noticed there is a cheeky nod to conventions or rather breaking conventions in this book - Snowball is a boy, Spud is a girl and the opera singing fish is a male/man/tenor or bass singer. I can't think of any other book for kids with an opera singer who isn't a woman. Might be time to introduce Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli or Enrico Caruso to your library group or young reading companion.

So now we have a problem for Spud and Snowball. This bossy cat tells the pair they must work as his butlers and supply him with a tasty snack and then he tells them he needs scenery for his performance and ponies to pull his carriage. This is all too much. Surely it is time for the cats to eat this fish - but fishing for a fish in a fish tank is very difficult especially when neither cat wants to get wet. Luckily they still have that computer - perhaps they can return this unwanted parcel.

Publisher blurb: Meet two cheeky cats in this brand-new illustrated fiction for emerging readers from the bestselling, award-winning creator Judith Rossell. Every day, Spud and Snowball lie on the couch and watch TV. When they see an ad for Fancy Fish, the two cats work out a way to have this new food delivered to their doorstep. But what arrives is totally unexpected… Can Spud and Snowball outwit this loud, bossy and very fancy intruder?

I am sure this book will be a 2026 CBCA Younger Readers Notable title - how terrific to have a book you can share with the youngest children in your school library and with the promise of a sequel. As a bonus mum and dad will enjoy reading this book too. 

This is the start of a new series, and it is such a fun read, perfect for emerging readers, newly confident readers, or anyone who wants a little bit of kitty cat fun. Spud and Snowball is a book that captures the joy of fun and creativity through cool cat characters. It’s going to be fun and cool to see where this series goes. There’s something special and joyful about reading a new series when it first comes out and being part of its journey. The Book Muse

The illustrations are an integral part of the story, sometimes taking a graphic novel format, always full of energy and fun, dominating the pages. The  text in varied fonts and sizes is pitch perfect for beginning readers but middle grade readers will also enjoy the over the top humour. Storylinks

From Readings Melbourne:

Three reasons to read Spud and Snowball:

 

1. Rossell makes books that kids love to read and read again. She’s won big awards for her stories, which are always funny, clever and full of imagination. She also draws the pictures herself, bringing every silly moment and cheeky character to life! Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish continues her brilliant work, with hilarious artwork and cheeky characters that leap off the page.

2. This illustrated junior fiction is designed especially for emerging readers aged 6 and up. With short chapters, lively illustrations, and clear, engaging language, it’s the perfect bridge from picture books to longer stories.

3. Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish is the first book in a brand-new series featuring Spud and Snowball, setting the stage for more quirky, laugh-out-loud adventures. It’s a fantastic way to get kids excited about reading, and eager for the next instalment.

Companion books:

Floof

Scallywag

Flubby

The Three-Legged Cat

Pepper and Boo

Emmie

Jasper and Scruff

Growing Home

Other books by Judith Rossell for older readers:

Book One in the Stella Montgomery series

Withering by Sea

The Midwatch

Bluey television series and some books to share

Confession - I am a little bit 'addicted' to Bluey. Some episodes don't quite work for me but there are so many that have an extra layer of fabulous storytelling and human emotion. As I watch Bluey, I often think of books I would share alongside various episodes. I have briefly read a few of the spin off books but in my view they just don't work so I'm proposing after watching the tv show you could read a book!

Wikipedia: The show follows Bluey, an anthropomorphic six-year-old Blue Heeler puppy who is characterised by her abundance of energy, imagination and curiosity about the world. The young dog lives with her father, Bandit; mother, Chilli; and younger sister, Bingo, who regularly joins Bluey on adventures as the pair embark on imaginative play together. ... Overarching themes include the influence of a supportive family, Australian culture, and the importance of play throughout childhood

I am just going to put the Bluey episode and a book with no detailed commentary.

"Keepy Uppy" series 1, episode 3

"Shadowlands" series 1, episode 5

"Bike" series 1, episode 11

"Bob Bilby" series 1, episode 12

"Markets" series 1, episode 20

"Wagon Ride" series 1, episode 24

"The Beach" series 1, episode 26

"Grannies" series 2, episode 28

"The Creek"

"Fairies"

Television commercial using We're going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw the Australian version of this car advertisement on television a couple of weeks ago. It uses (I wonder if they asked for permission) the famous children's book We're going on a Bear hunt as the sound track.

About the ad: A couple notices something moving in the bushes and wonder if it's Bear. The couple and their friends take off in their Grand Cherokee SUVs to go find Bear. As "We're Going On a Bear Hunt" by Michael Rosen plays in the background, the vehicles traverse rivers and rocky trails. Finally, they spot Bear. Bear, it turns out, is their chocolate-coloured Newfoundland dog. (in the US version) 

The end of the Australian advertisement is different and it infuriated me - the bear at the end is not a furry dog -  is a koala!  Koalas are not bears. 

The voice over from the young child says: "Look at Bear!" and we see the image in their rear view mirror.

• Did they ask permission?
• Will Michael Rosen receive a royalty fee?
• Did they ask Michael Rosen if they could change the text? "We're going to see a big one" the real text says "We're going to catch a big one". 
• Children do not buy cars - why did they choose this song/text?
• This car commerical comes from the US and yet this is an iconic British book - confusing? And it has been "tweaked" for an Australian audience - again confusing?
• This book was first published in 1989 I wonder how it came to the attention of the advertising agency - perhaps someone has been reading this book to their young child - I do hope so.
• If you want to share some books about koalas with your students take a look at this post by my friend from Kinderbookswitheverything. 

We're going on a Bear Hunt won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize in 1989.  In 1989 it was an Honour Book in the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards. The book also won the School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and it was highly commended for the 1989 Kate Greenaway Medal.

Here is my popup version of this famous book. Sadly it is out of print. 

Here are the song lyrics:

We're goin' on a bear hunt 

(We're goin' on a bear hunt) 

We're going to catch a big one, 

(We're going to catch a big one,)I'm not scared

(I'm not scared)

What a beautiful day!

(What a beautiful day!)

 

Uh-uh! 

Grass! 

Long wavy grass. 

We can't go over it. 

We can't go under it. 

Oh no! 

We've got to go through it! 

Swishy swashy! Swishy swashy! Swishy swashy!

Chorus: We're going on a bear hunt...

Uh-uh! 

A river! 

A deep cold river. 

We can't go over it. 

We can't go under it. 

Oh no! 

We've got to go through it! 

Splash splosh! Splash splosh! Splash splosh! 

Chorus: We're going on a bear hunt...

Uh-uh! 

Mud! 

Thick oozy mud. 

We can't go over it, 

We can't go under it. 

Oh no! 

We've got to go through it! 

Squelch squerch! Squelch squerch! Squelch squerch! 

Chorus: We're going on a bear hunt...

Uh-uh! 

A forest! 

A big dark forest. 

We can't go over it. 

We can't go under it. 

Oh no! 

We've got to go through it! 

Stumble trip! Stumble trip! Stumble trip! 

Chorus: We're going on a bear hunt...

Uh-uh! 

A snowstorm! 

A swirling whirling snowstorm. 

We can't go over it. 

We can't go under it. 

Oh no! 

We've got to go through it! 

Hooo wooo! Hooo wooo! Hooo wooo! 

Chorus: We're going on a bear hunt...

Uh-uh! 

A cave! 

A narrow gloomy cave. 

We can't go over it. 

We can't go under it. 

We've got to go through it! 

Tiptoe! Tiptoe! Tiptoe! 

WHAT’S THAT! 

One shiny wet nose! 

Two big furry ears! 

Two big goggly eyes! 

IT’S A BEAR! 

Quick! 

Back through the cave! 

Tiptoe! Tiptoe! Tiptoe! 

Back through the snowstorm! 

Hoooo woooo! Hoooo woooo! Hoooo woooo! 

Back through the forest! 

Stumble trip! Stumble trip! Stumble trip! 

Back through the mud! 

Squelch squerch! Squelch squerch! Squelch squerch! 

Back through the river! 

Splash splosh! Splash splosh! Splash splosh! 

Back through the grass! 

Swishy swashy! Swishy swashy! Swishy swashy! 

Get to our front door. 

Open the door. 

Up the stairs 

Oh no! 

Daisy by Brian Wildsmith

Tuesday Treasure

Begin on the title page. Daisy is peeking out above the barn door. She wants freedom!

"One day on his way home, Farmer Brown forgot to  close the gate to Daisy's field."

Off she goes on an adventure. The townspeople see her on top of a building. The television people arrive with the fire brigade. Sadly for Daisy at the end of this first adventure she is taken back to the farm BUT some one saw her on television. A film producer arrives at the farm and declares he will make Daisy into a movie star. Farmer Brown agrees Daisy can go but she must come back. Daisy is lifted onto a ship and taken to Hollywood.

"She acted in many films and soon became a big star ... She even appeared in a bubble bath advertisement."

The high life, though, is not quite perfect. Daisy is given rich foods like caviar and jelly when she really longs for fresh grass and water. She begins to grow thin so the producer makes one more film called "Daisy come home" and he flies her back to Farmer Brown.

Everything about this book is exquisite. The emotional trajectory of the story, the mixed media art work in the illustrations, the book design with half pages that lift to reveal a scene and of course the very satisfying happy ending. I do wonder why my former library decided to discard this beautiful book. If you have Daisy in your library please read it and keep it and share it with as many children as you can. If you are not familiar with the art of Brian Wildsmith take a look here.

Daisy was first published in 1984 (the year I became a teacher) and the great news is you can still buy this book in either hardcover or paperback.

Daisy is a 'grass is greener on the other side' story. Other books to compare with daisy are:

Once upon a small Rhinoceros by Meg McKinlay
Wendy by Gus Gordon
Louise the adventures of a Chicken by Kate DiCamillo

With a group of older students I would compare Daisy with Sammy Streetsinger by Charles Keeping.