ACTF

Author Q & A

Talking Tales with Shaun Tan

Recorded on Monday 18 May, Talking Tales with Shaun Tan, was a special event featuring acclaimed storyteller Shaun Tan. In the session, Shaun explores how Tales from Outer Suburbia was adapted into an animated series, sharing insights into storytelling, illustration and the creative process of collaborating with leading Australian animators. The recording includes interactive activities, a behind-the-scenes segment with Series Director Noel Cleary, a follow along drawing tutorial and writing prompts for students.

Before watching

To get the most out of this session, we recommend that classes are familiar with the book Tales from Outer Suburbia and have watched the following three episodes of the television series before watching the event recording:

Episode 1: Water Buffalo
Episode 3: Distant Rain
Episode 5: Eric

These episodes are available to view on ABC iview. 

Watch the Q & A

This recording captures an event delivered both in-person and online. Please have a pencil and notebook or paper ready so you can take part in writing prompts and drawing activities.

We’d love to hear what you thought of the session. Your feedback helps us keep creating free, meaningful experiences like this for students and teachers across Australia. Access the feedback form.

After watching

Extend classroom learning with our free Tales from Outer Suburbia resource. This resource helps teachers bring curiosity, imagination and courage into the classroom with structured, flexible and creative learning activities. It is designed for Years 5 – 8 students and mapped to English, Media Arts and General Capabilities.

  • Tales from Outer Suburbia

    Tales from Outer Suburbia invites students to explore a world where the ordinary gently – and at times unexpectedly – meets the extraordinary. The series offers rich opportunities to discuss the emotional experiences of childhood, the shifting dynamics of family life and the moments of quiet magic that can appear when young people approach change with curiosity, imagination and courage.

This event was co-presented with ACMI.  

The logo features a yellow, rounded square with a stylized pink face peeking from the left. Next to it is the text "Australian Children's Television Foundation" in black, followed by the abbreviated "acmi" in a bold, lowercase font.

Tales from Outer Suburbia Production Credits

Tales From Outer Suburbia is a Highly Spirited and Flying Bark production. Adapted from Shaun Tan’s multi-award-winning book Tales from Outer Suburbia.
 
Tales From Outer Suburbia is a Highly Spirited and Flying Bark production for the ABC and BYUtv. Major production investment from Screen Australia and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation in association with ABC. Produced in New South Wales and Western Australia with Siamese and financed with support from Screenwest. International sales by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.