If you enjoy reading books by Shaun Tan then you might also like the following authors:
If you're fascinated by Shaun Tan's imaginative storytelling and beautiful illustrations, David Wiesner might become a new favorite. His books often tell wordless, visual stories full of curiosity and wonder, inviting readers to explore imaginative possibilities.
A great example is Flotsam, a story about an underwater camera washed ashore, uncovering delightful mysteries beneath the ocean waves.
Chris Van Allsburg creates stylish picture books filled with surreal visuals and creative mysteries, much like Shaun Tan. He often blends reality with fantasy in ways that surprise and captivate readers.
Try The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, a unique book offering visuals and intriguing, open-ended stories that inspire readers' imagination.
Peter Sís is known for his beautifully detailed illustrations and deeply thoughtful stories. His work often explores historical and cultural themes, mixing reality and symbolism, much like Tan.
Check out The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain, a personal account of living during the Cold War, illustrated in an intricate, dreamlike style.
If you enjoy Shaun Tan's wordless storytelling, Barbara Lehman's books will appeal to you as well. Her visual narratives feature simple yet expressive illustrations that draw the reader in and spark careful observation.
The Red Book is a perfect example, using pure imagery to create an imaginative story about connection and adventure across distance and even worlds.
Aaron Becker's work, like Shaun Tan's, captures imagination and adventure through detailed vision and visual storytelling without using words. His illustrations invite readers into intricate worlds that tell their stories through image alone.
Try Journey, the story of a girl who steps through a magical door into an imaginative realm, created beautifully without a single word.
Suzy Lee creates beautiful and imaginative picture books without words. Her stories often center around playfulness, imagination, and the wonder of childhood exploration.
In her book Wave, Lee captures the delight and curiosity of a young girl encountering the ocean waves, using expressive illustrations that speak louder than words.
Jon Klassen has a distinctive style of storytelling that blends quiet humor with subtle suspense. Often, his illustrations tell more of the story than the text, rewarding readers who pay close attention.
His book I Want My Hat Back illustrates how he can mix understated humor and deadpan visuals to create uniquely entertaining picture books.
Oliver Jeffers produces picture books filled with heart, imagination, and gentle humor. He tackles themes like friendship, exploration, and understanding the world around us.
Lost and Found is a sweet tale of a boy who discovers a solitary penguin and sets out on a heartfelt journey to help his new friend find home.
Raymond Briggs is famous for picture books that evoke wonder, emotion, and human connection through visual storytelling. Themes like friendship, the fleeting nature of time, and life's ordinary everyday experiences often show up in his work.
His classic book The Snowman wonderfully depicts a magical interaction between a child and a snowman brought to life, all without words.
Lane Smith creates works filled with cleverness, whimsy, and thoughtful humor. He often explores big ideas in creative, humorous ways, showing respect for young readers' intelligence and curiosity.
His book Grandpa Green thoughtfully explores the relationship between memory, family, and storytelling through warm and imaginative illustrations.
Anthony Browne creates picture books that blend realism with surreal imagery. He examines themes of imagination, childhood anxieties, and social issues by combining everyday scenes with surprising visual twists.
His book Gorilla tells the story of a young girl's loneliness and longing for connection, beautifully brought to life through detailed, dreamlike illustrations that speak volumes.
Armin Greder's work is powerful, stark, and emotionally charged. His illustrations emphasize dark colors and intense moods, confronting complex topics like fear, prejudice, and the struggles of outsiders.
In The Island, Greder explores how fear of the unknown leads to isolation and cruelty, with striking and unsettling imagery that pushes readers to reflect deeply.
Blexbolex offers readers a distinctive blend of graphic design and storytelling. His bold style and vibrant, screen-printed imagery convey narrative through minimal words. The book Seasons is a beautiful example of this approach, poetically capturing life's cycles and changes.
Its visual simplicity invites readers to pause and absorb details, quietly encouraging thoughtful reflection.
Isabelle Arsenault crafts gentle but powerful illustrations filled with delicate color palettes and soft textures. Her imagery skillfully explores emotional landscapes, often capturing childhood wonder and vulnerability.
In Jane, the Fox & Me, Arsenault sensitively portrays a young girl's experience of bullying and loneliness, blending imagination and reality to build empathy and emotional depth.
Beatrice Alemagna tells expressive, heartfelt stories that celebrate exploration, creativity, and embracing one's individuality. She employs lively, imaginative illustrations that emphasize texture, color, and playful forms.
Her book The Wonderful Fluffy Little Squishy follows a child's joyful search across the neighborhood, showcasing Alemagna's ability to vividly capture feelings of discovery, whimsy, and innocent curiosity.