Journey

by Aaron Becker

A 2014 Caldecott Honor Book

Follow a girl on an elaborate flight of fancy in a wondrously illustrated, wordless picture book about self-determination — and unexpected friendship.

A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound.  Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny.  When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free.  Can it also lead her home and to her heart’s desire?  With supple line, luminous color, and nimble flights of fancy, author-illustrator Aaron Becker launches an ordinary child on an extraordinary journey toward her greatest and most exciting adventure of all.

 “An imaginative adventure story whose elaborate illustrations inspire wonder, careful examination and multiple reads.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

 “Wonder mixes with longing as the myriad possibilities offered by Becker’s stunning settings dwarf what actually happens in the story. Readers will be both dazzled and spurred on imagined travels of their own.”
— Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

 “The strong visual narrative makes this an appealing choice for a wide range of ages. By the turn of the last page, children will immediately begin imagining the next adventure.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)

 “Reverberate(s) with the power of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are”
— Booklist (starred review)

“Though Becker has plenty of experience as an artist for films, “Journey” is his first book, and it’s a masterwork.”
— New York Times Book Review

Hardcover. 40 pages.

Candlewick Press.  Printed in China.

Nest Notes: Recommended for children up to 8 years of age to cozy up with on their own, although this book is a trip for people of all ages.  This is a three-book series: Journey, Quest, and Return; although each book could also be a standalone book on its own.

Click here to look inside.