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amibunk's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
This book made absolutely no sense to me. And yet...
And yet...
There's something emotional about the stark, industrial nature of the illustrations. And some of the "lessons" learned during summer are poignant and touching.
"Never wait for an apology."
"Always know the way home."
The book make me think, and that is no small feat with a picture book.
(In full disclosure, my daughter and her friend did NOT like this book. I think it's one of those children's books that meant for adults.)
This book made absolutely no sense to me. And yet...
And yet...
There's something emotional about the stark, industrial nature of the illustrations. And some of the "lessons" learned during summer are poignant and touching.
"Never wait for an apology."
"Always know the way home."
The book make me think, and that is no small feat with a picture book.
(In full disclosure, my daughter and her friend did NOT like this book. I think it's one of those children's books that meant for adults.)
pixelski's review against another edition
4.0
Firstly, thanks to Hachette Children's Books Australia for this copy of Rules of Summer <3
Changing it up a little with this review. I pretty much post only YA reviews, but this is one picture book had to review! Shaun Tan is definitely one of my favourite authors and illustrators and his 2013 release, Rules of Summer is a must for everyone.
For both the young and old, and everything in between, Tan's picture books are filled with messages that resonate differently with the different age groups that read it. Rules of Summer is no different. Filled with layered messages, each one sentence page holds varying messages depending on how you perceive it. The wild and wonderful illustrations show a different side to the seemingly innocent life lessons for things children (and adults) may get up to during the summer.
I loved the way the story was presented. Tan's meticulous brush strokes show at times haunting images of what happens when you "leave the back door open overnight" or "eat the last olive at party" (the looks people give you!). These colourful depictions are juxtaposed by the simple statements on the left-hand page with their light pencil scribbles on sepia and grey-toned backgrounds. By doing this, plain versus rich, Tan accentuates his gorgeous pictures and never overdoes the images. Such images also allow the reader to interpret his idea the way they want - oh what is that beautiful utopia where I can access all the things I need if only I could remember my password? The similarity I found with Tan's other books was the increasing bleakness the deeper we delved through the book. I love the idea of needing to overcome the dark before we find the light.
Like his other masterpieces, Tan doesn't disappoint. This is one picture book I will be perusing time and time again for the different messages and hidden things I'll find each time.
Changing it up a little with this review. I pretty much post only YA reviews, but this is one picture book had to review! Shaun Tan is definitely one of my favourite authors and illustrators and his 2013 release, Rules of Summer is a must for everyone.
For both the young and old, and everything in between, Tan's picture books are filled with messages that resonate differently with the different age groups that read it. Rules of Summer is no different. Filled with layered messages, each one sentence page holds varying messages depending on how you perceive it. The wild and wonderful illustrations show a different side to the seemingly innocent life lessons for things children (and adults) may get up to during the summer.
I loved the way the story was presented. Tan's meticulous brush strokes show at times haunting images of what happens when you "leave the back door open overnight" or "eat the last olive at party" (the looks people give you!). These colourful depictions are juxtaposed by the simple statements on the left-hand page with their light pencil scribbles on sepia and grey-toned backgrounds. By doing this, plain versus rich, Tan accentuates his gorgeous pictures and never overdoes the images. Such images also allow the reader to interpret his idea the way they want - oh what is that beautiful utopia where I can access all the things I need if only I could remember my password? The similarity I found with Tan's other books was the increasing bleakness the deeper we delved through the book. I love the idea of needing to overcome the dark before we find the light.
Like his other masterpieces, Tan doesn't disappoint. This is one picture book I will be perusing time and time again for the different messages and hidden things I'll find each time.
pifferdiff's review against another edition
Shaun Tan’s illustrations (as always) are imaginative and magical in this book. My read on the story was much darker than Alex’s - I thought it was interesting that there’s space for different interpretations.
aylea's review against another edition
4.0
There are rules to summer. These rules are things like not leaving red socks on the clothesline and never step on a snail. Some rules might seem strange (“never eat the last olive at a party”), while others seem like common sense (“never give your keys to a stranger”), but the illustrations depict what happens when the rules are broken and how things get progressively darker as the boys push things farther. In the end, though, they learn the rules of summer and have a great adventure.
This book doesn’t have a clear plot or message, leaving the emotions in the illustrations to lead the reader to feeling the story rather than understanding the story. It’s part humor and part surreal fantasy, but the illustrations invite the reader to put in whatever emotions they have into the rules too. The illustrations show what kind of depths that a child’s imagination can go to. Younger readers might struggle to understand what is going on or why it is happening, but older readers are more likely to enjoy this unusual picture book and the unique storytelling methods it uses.
This book doesn’t have a clear plot or message, leaving the emotions in the illustrations to lead the reader to feeling the story rather than understanding the story. It’s part humor and part surreal fantasy, but the illustrations invite the reader to put in whatever emotions they have into the rules too. The illustrations show what kind of depths that a child’s imagination can go to. Younger readers might struggle to understand what is going on or why it is happening, but older readers are more likely to enjoy this unusual picture book and the unique storytelling methods it uses.
tiffmas's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
barbarianlibarian's review against another edition
1.0
no fun. unless you want to leave your kids really confused and left with nightmare inducing pictures. basically too "artsy" for my taste
beths0103's review against another edition
3.0
I'm glad I read Betsy Bird's review after reading this book. I went back and did another read through and I never would have garnered that meaning on my own had it not been for Betsy's insights. I feel like I need an interpreter every time I read a Shaun Tan book, or at least someone who is more adept at reading symbolism than I am. His books completely perplex me, but I also have an intense desire to talk about them with someone to try to figure out all the weirdness.
Rules of Summer might be a good book to read with students on the first day/week of school to give them something deeper to reflect on than the typical "What I did on my summer vacation" assignment. Since the first line of the story is "This is what I learned last summer," that line coupled with the book's strangeness could be a catalyst for students to go beyond the typical "I went to Disney World and it was fun" response and turn it into something much more detailed and thought-provoking.
Read my entire review on my blog.
Rules of Summer might be a good book to read with students on the first day/week of school to give them something deeper to reflect on than the typical "What I did on my summer vacation" assignment. Since the first line of the story is "This is what I learned last summer," that line coupled with the book's strangeness could be a catalyst for students to go beyond the typical "I went to Disney World and it was fun" response and turn it into something much more detailed and thought-provoking.
Read my entire review on my blog.
helendeu's review against another edition
Another exceptional Tan book. The Rules of Summer, as told to a boy by his older brother are stated in simple text on almost every page. The adjoining page vividly illustrates the consequences of breaking those rules. Tan’s book shows the power relationship between the brothers. His use of dark shadows often results in a fearful mood that would be best suited to a middle primary audience. The reader’s eye is drawn to the detailed illustrations to try to guess the rule before reading. I would highly recommend this and any other Tan book but suggest adult's read the books first to ensure they are appropriate to the recipient's age.
librarylapin's review against another edition
3.0
I love the concepts in Tan’s books. This was interesting a fun to look at.