Exquisitely packaged, this is a beautiful, lyrically written and illustrated fable about cultural differences and how we deal with them. Eric comes on a foreign exchange. The narrator is excited that he is coming but then confused by Eric’s responses to things. What is interesting for him? Is he having a good time? How does he see us? All is made clear when the visitor suddenly goes leaving behind an interesting and surprising legacy.
A beautifully surreal and gently humorous picture book about cultural differences, empathy and the power of perspective, from internationally acclaimed author-illustrator Shaun Tan.
A beautifully surreal and gently humorous picture book about cultural differences, empathy and the power of perspective, from internationally acclaimed author-illustrator Shaun Tan.
Eric is a foreign exchange student who comes to live with a typical suburban family. Although everyone is delighted with the arrangement, cultural misunderstandings ensue, beginning with Eric's insistence on sleeping in a pantry cupboard rather than a specially prepared guest room. The family takes Eric on a number of excursions, but they're never sure if he's having a good time, as he just doesn't say very much.
He's mostly interested in small things he discovers on the ground. When Eric leaves the family suddenly, they're unsure if they've done something wrong. But Eric leaves them a surprise gift that they'll never forget.
“stunningly original … most illustrations in books are reactions to the text, but here the pictures inspire the stories. They are all strange and beautiful.” Anthony Browne, Children’s Laureate
“Mysterious and sophisticated” The Telegraph
“Tan’s writing is as beautiful as his art and his mind produces ideas and images as if from a sea of magic.” Neel Mukerjee, The Times
“He has always had an eye for the misplaced, bizarre side of life.” Kate Kellaway, The Observer
Author
About Shaun Tan
Shaun Tan grew up in Perth and works as an artist, writer and film-maker in Melbourne, best known for illustrated books that deal with social, political and historical subjects through dream-like imagery. The Rabbits, The Red Tree, Tales from Outer Suburbia and the graphic novel The Arrival have been widely translated throughout the world and enjoyed by readers of all ages. Shaun has also worked as a theatre designer, a concept artist for Pixar and won an Academy Award for the short animated film The Lost Thing. In 2011 he received the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in Sweden, in recognition of his services to literature for young people. His most recent books are Rules of Summer and The Singing Bones.
Shaun Tan on himself and Eric:
"Drawing a good picture is like telling a really good lie – the key is in the incidental detail," says Shaun Tan. (interview with Guardian Online, 2009)
“A recurring theme in my sketchbook are characters carrying a suitcase. I’m not sure why. Sometimes it arises because I’ve drawn a character and they look silly standing there without anything in their hands, so I’ll often add a suitcase or a box. This constantly suggested a story. The story ‘Eric’ in Tales from Outer Suburbia was suggested by a similar drawing of a little character with a pointy head and the word Eric written underneath.
I do rarely give names. 'Eric' is an exception, but even then the name is a substitute for something we can’t hear or pronounce properly, so we never know his real name.” (interview with Write Away, 2009)
A beautifully surreal and gently humorous picture book about cultural differences, empathy and the power of perspective, from internationally acclaimed author-illustrator Shaun Tan.Eric is a foreign exchange student who comes to live with a typical suburban family. Although everyone is delighted with the arrangement, cultural misunderstandings ensue, beginning with Eric's insistence on sleeping in a pantry cupboard rather than a specially prepared guest room.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Eric and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-8 years old
Eric features in the following genres: Fantasy / Magical, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 7+ readers, Recommendations
Hardback. Not Available.
Eric was written by Shaun Tan and published by Tundra
