Description

Gravity keeps me here. Or love, which is kind of the same thing.

A spectacular new illustrated book for readers aged 9-99 about home and belonging from the internationally renowned artist Shaun Tan.

“When it comes to originality and genius, Tan is in a league of his own.” The Irish Independent

A girl lives with her family, friends and neighbours in her hometown. Every so often, she can’t help wondering if there might be more out there for her. But life is good.

When a strange human boy lands in her hometown and insists she return to her “real home” with him, the girl must make a choice. Where does she truly belong?

A beautifully illustrated, thoughtful and funny story about finding your place in the world.

“Loved it! Chock-full of magic!!” Guilermo Del Toro

“Visually stunning … a masterpiece, showcasing an artist at the height of his powers” The New York Times

“It is one of those stories we discussed long after I’d finished reading. Perfect fuel for a voracious imagination.” The Observer

Publisher Review

At first glance, Hometown by Shaun Tan (Walker Studio, GBP25, published 22 October) feels pitched at a much older audience. The book is 136 pages long, and the illustrations are ethereal and intricate, with a palette of deep oranges, greens and blues. However, each page has only a sentence or two, and you fly through the narrative. It tells the story of an alien world, the human girl who lives there, and the impossible predicament she faces. It is one of those stories we discussed long after I’d finished reading. Perfect fuel for a voracious imagination. — Caitlin O’Kane * The Observer * This distinctive, striking story features some truly stunning spreads and a heartfelt message about what home really means. — Caroline Carpenter * The Bookseller * This is a story that will have multilayers of meaning for each reader; identify, family, belonging, love, being strong and being yourself, recognising the beauty of what is around you …. I could go on…
The illustrations are sublime- each page is a work of art – and need revisiting and revisiting as the attention to details and character are incredible.
I would go as far too say that this is as equally stunning in format and message as The Visitor in 2006.
As someone who works in primary education, this is a book that I will be using in the classroom and with teachers and recommending to family and friends with children aged 10 + and to all adults who have a heart and mind that is open to beauty and magic. There is so much to explore and talk about in Hometown.. Shaun Tan is an illustrative genius
One of best Upper KS2 books of 2026 without a doubt – a new classic has arrived.
Now to dive in again… * NetGalley Reviewer * Shaun Tan is a genius. I don’t think I’ve ever read one of his books and not been amazed by the magic of his words and illustrations. He has this baffling way of creating something so seemingly alien but also relatable. Hometown is no different in this respect… The text in this book could be accompanied by fairly mundane images of normal human kids in their normal human families, living their normal human lives, and it would all still largely make sense. The magic is in the contrast between this and the rich detailed artwork. I loved this book and cannot wait until it is out in print, where I should imagine the illustrations will look even more impressive. * NetGalley Reviewer * I am humbled by this book. Like many of Shaun Tan’s books, it is a work of art that will encourage readers of all ages to keep returning to the story and the illustrations.
What makes home? What makes us happy? Should we feel a compulsion to do the ‘right’ thing? Does it matter what our life looks like to others?
There is so much more to the story, but I feel like the book explores these questions and more. I love the art work, I love the philosophical thinking it inspires and how it can be read at a variety of levels depending on the reader picking up the book.
I am keen to get a copy to share with my class of 9 and 10 year olds as I can actually only imagine how beautiful the physical book will be. I love that the author noted how he created the artwork. * NetGalley Reviewer *