Rules of Summer Hardcover – 7 Nov. 2013

A beautifully illustrated book, my sons absolute favourite. We found this book in the library earlier in the year and my 6 year son loved it so much he asked for it for Christmas. He proceeded to read it to all the family on Christmas Day, describing the pictures and scenes with lots of interpretive detail.Minimal text and easy to read - and seems to strike a chord with children. Quite darkly illustrated in places, bird-like creatures watching the last olive being eaten etc but he absolutely loves it and seems to see so much in the pictures that as an adult I wouldn’t even notice. He is not in the slightest phased by the illustrations, indeed he likes what I’d consider the more dark pictures the best, especially the slippers of the furry semi-cute creature who crept in while the front door was unlocked. His favourite book that he goes back to again and again. The pictures fire off his imagination in a vivid way (just why is hare watching the red sock from behind the fence?) and it is a joy watching him interpret the pictures and construct a world from the brushstrokes.Artwork is gorgeous too. Highly recommended, if I could give six or more stars I would. A future classic.

This purchase was by special request - for an 18yr old - totally thrilled to have possession of it, after much admiration for this, and other work by Shaun Tan. I the giver, found the one -liner page comments somewhat surreal, very quirky, and a bit of a mystery or puzzle -perhaps not for little people or other generations ! However, as we are both involved in art and its application, we share a fascination with the artwork which is remarkably reproduced, almost touchable - filling each page to the very edge with swathes of thick paint,and colour balances.Those add to the atmosphere created on each page., not easily forgotten once visited. The minimum information provided, is misleading,.. the eye and mind are invited to stay, play, and share, in imagination !

U wow, first time ever I received an extremely beautiful and amazing book in such horrible condition. And here is a problem... The book is all stars! It's awesome. The condition of received book is bad :((((

Anything by Shaun Tan is good for me

This Shaun Tan is brilliant and I love the way he has moved to thicker acrylic from coloured pencil as it adds to the weight of the questions raised. Brilliant draughtsman. Enjoyed the role of crows/blackbirds as observers, so along with the impasto so we see how Vincent Van Gogh is invoked. The book is even more oblique in terms of the ideas – more difficult – this is good. The minimal text as clues seems so well pitched. Lots of unthought knowns. Wonder whether children or grown-ups will tune in more easily?

I bought this book for 5 different people after I received it as a gift for my son. I bought it for children and adults! The illustrations are so wonderful to look at; its a joyous escape.

the most magical unusual mind expanding childrens book, you could look at it forver and never get bored

not one of Tan's best. the text captions attempt to tie the pictures together into a sort of story... perhaps the book would've been better without the text?