Journey and Quest, by Aaron Becker

The Children’s Book Review | June 30, 2016

Age Range: 4-8

Journey

Written and Illustrated by Aaron Becker

Publisher’s synopsis: 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.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Candlewick Press | August 6, 2013 | ISBN-13: 978-0763660536

Available Here: 

Quest

Written and Illustrated by Aaron Becker

Publisher’s synopsis: Aaron Becker, creator of Journey, a Caldecott Honor book, presents the next chapter in his stunning wordless fantasy.

A king emerges from a hidden door in a city park, startling two children sheltering from the rain. No sooner does he push a map and some strange objects into their hands than he is captured by hostile forces that whisk him back through the enchanted door. Just like that, the children are caught up in a quest to rescue the king and his kingdom from darkness, while illuminating the farthest reaches of their imagination. Colored markers in hand, they make their own way through the portal, under the sea, through a tropical paradise, over a perilous bridge, and high in the air with the help of a winged friend. Journey lovers will be thrilled to follow its characters on a new adventure threaded with familiar elements, while new fans will be swept into a visually captivating story that is even richer and more exhilarating than the first.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Candlewick Press | August 26, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0763665951

Available Here: 

Return

Written and Illustrated by Aaron Becker

Publisher’s synopsis: Welcome the much-anticipated finale of Caldecott Honoree Aaron Becker’s wordless trilogy—a spectacular, emotionally satisfying story that brings its adventurer home.

Failing to get the attention of her busy father, a lonely girl turns back to a fantastic world for friendship and adventure. It’s her third journey into the enticing realm of kings and emperors, castles and canals, exotic creatures and enchanting landscapes. This time, it will take something truly powerful to persuade her to return home, as a gripping backstory is revealed that will hold readers in its thrall. Caldecott Honor winner Aaron Becker delivers a suspenseful and moving climax to his wordless trilogy, an epic that began with the award-winning Journey and continued with the celebrated follow-up Quest.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Candlewick Press | August 2, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-0763677305

Available Here: 

About the Author

Aaron Becker dreamed of traveling to castles when he was a boy. At age ten, he was lucky enough to visit the walled island of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France. Many years later, that visit inspired him to create the palatial castle featured throughout the Journey trilogy. Aaron recently returned to Europe with his family, where he completed the watercolor paintings you see in this book.