Journey by Aaron Becker. Candlewick, 2013. 26 pages

Journey, by Aaron Becker.  Candlewick, 2013, 26 pages. 

Reading Level: Picture books, 4-8

Recommended for: ages 4-8 and up

Bottom Line: Journey uses luminous illustrations–and no words–to express the joy of creativity in a way reminiscent of Harold and the Purple Crayon.

As the story opens, a young girl tries to engage her family, but everyone is too busy for her.  So she turns to her trusty red marker and doesn’t seem surprised when the door she draws on her bedroom wall opens to a brightly-colored world of imagination.  On her ensuing journey she doesn’t forget to take the marker, and a good thing too—besides providing transportation to exotic castles and skyways, it also comes in handy for narrow escapes.  Each double-page spread provides plenty of detail for poring over and talking about; it’s a many-look picture book.  Grandmas will be reminded of Harold and his Purple Crayon, especially at the end.  Journey is a nice tribute to a classic, but it also breaks new ground.

Cautions: None

Overall rating: 4.5 (out of 5)

• Worldview/morality value: 3.5
• Artistic value: 5

Categories: Fantasy, Wordless, Picture Books, Award Winners, gift books