Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
"...Becker
sweeps readers away on the very best kind of journey....Laudable for its
adventuresome female protagonist, scope, and sense of fun, this title
will draw girls and boys back to it again and again." Booklist (Starred Review)
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." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Review
"An imaginative adventure story whose elaborate illustrations inspire wonder, careful examination and multiple reads." Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
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)
About the Author
Aaron Becker has worked as an artist for such film studios as Lucasfilm, Disney, and Pixar, where he helped define the look and feel of characters, stories, and the movies they become a part of. With
Journey, he has created characters and worlds of his very own, using traditional materials and techniques. Aaron Becker lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, with his wife, daughter, and cat. This is his first book.