The Arrival

Where it came from

The Arrival is a wordless graphic novel created by Shaun Tan and first published in 2006. Unlike most books, it tells its story entirely through detailed illustrations — no dialogue, no captions, just art that takes you straight into the experience of its characters. Tan was inspired by real-life immigration stories and his own fascination with belonging, identity, and the emotional journey of leaving home for a new land. His illustrations combine everyday reality with surreal, imaginative details, helping readers feel what it’s like to be both lost and hopeful in a new world.

Where it went next

Since publication, The Arrival has become one of Shaun Tan’s most beloved works, praised globally for its empathy, creativity, and visual storytelling. It has won major awards and been translated into many languages. The story has also inspired stage adaptations, using puppetry and animation to bring the wordless artwork to life in performance spaces. It’s widely used in classrooms to explore history, empathy, diversity, and the immigrant experience — making it a favourite with older young readers and families alike.

Associated stories

If you love The Arrival, you might also enjoy other Shaun Tan works that explore similar themes of wonder, identity, and belonging:

• The Lost Thing — a surreal tale about finding something strange and out of place.
• The Red Tree — an emotional journey through feelings of loneliness and hope.
• Tales from Outer Suburbia — quirky, imaginative stories with unexpected twists.