Rules of Summer
Written and illustrated by Shaun Tan
Verdict: ✦✦✦✦✦
A story of very few words but absolutely brimming with haunting, thought-provoking art, lending itself to many re-readings and fun, interpretative discussions. This rich, spare picture book is sure to spark the imaginations and questions of young readers.
What is it about?
Never break the rules. Especially if you don't understand them. Two boys, possibly brothers, hide from a giant red rabbit and outwit a crowd of scary eagles, but when their games become ever darker they learn that breaking the rules can be dangerous.
Our take:
The strength of this book lies in its empty spaces, how the beautiful, somewhat uncanny images and words tell just enough to get our own mental cogs turning. It’s a great example of a book being a collaboration between the author/illustrator and the reader, where much of the story and emotion takes place within our own minds and gains form through our own interpretation.
Perfect for:
Young readers with lots of imagination who will enjoy poring over the images and imagining their own tales to accompany them. This is the sort of picture book that could be equally enchanting to both a four-year-old and a ten-year-old.
Conversation starters:
What do you think is the relationship between the two boys? How can you tell?
Who or what do you think is making the rules in this book?
What do you make of the picture on page ____? What do you think is happening in it?
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