2. The Arrival

By: Shaun Tan

This is a fully remarkable book that conveys a complex story of isolation that can only be experienced as a stranger in a strange land.  The illustrations create a thoroughly rich and unique set of new worlds- each which operate under different rules. 

As an 'expat', I find myself moved by the inner struggle of the character as he balances the excitement of seeing new spaces with the tragedy of being separated from his loved ones.  

Or maybe I'm just reading into it.

Does this count towards fifty even if the only words are in the title? In any event, it makes an amazing case for visual literacy.  This would be an excellent book for any class that deals with storytelling. 

That, and this book proves once and for all, that print really is dead.

Grade: A+

Recommendation: Get it. Now. You'll thank me.