The Bird King: And Other Sketches
Age 10+
Drawing & Drawings
The bird king, the anthropologists, the thing in the bathroom, the paraffin-oil koala…What do they all have in common?
Nothing! Except that they all inhabit the unique world of renowned artist, author and illustrator Shaun Tan. Collected in this journal for the first time are his illustrations for stories that never developed, observational studies, preliminary drawings for books, films and theatre, and random doodles from Shaun’s working sketchbooks, Together with commentary by the artist, they offer a special insight into the imagination of one of Australia’s most celebrated storytellers, the internationally acclaimed creator of The Lost Thing, The Red Tree, The Arrival and Tales from Outer Suburbia.
Creators
Shaun Tan was born in 1974 and grew up in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. He graduated from the University of WA in 1995 with joint honours in Fine Arts and English Literature, and currently works full time as a freelance artist and writer in Melbourne.
Reviews
Shaun Tan is one of the most imaginative artists and storytellers around. I love his stories, simple yet always fascinating….His works are best to be seen than described. Highly recommended for sketchbook lovers, those who like doodles and fans of Shaun Tan.
Parka Blogs
Everything about this little book makes me happy. I love the author’s art, and work, and was delighted to get my hands on this collection of art from unfinished projects, finished work, and sketchbooks. I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into the mind and creative process of this artist/author, and flipping through this book is like exploring a delightfully curated art installation.
Elizabeth A, goodreads
This book is stellar. One turns the pages slowly, lingering in worlds undreamed of, wondering at ideas, and pausing to allow a particular image to sink in more deeply. It is a journey, specially designed for a young creative to see that mistakes can be joyous, that creation is messy, and that works in progress are breathtaking. This is a book to get in the hands of teens who enjoy art and writing, for it is a look at the unformed and the just formed. It is a book of pure creativity and the creative process. Beautiful. Haunting. Inspiring. Appropriate for ages 10-18.
Tasha, goodreads
