Journey by Aaron Becker, Caldecott Honor Book Award

Some say a picture is worth a thousand words. I tend to agree. However, when one picks up a children’s picture book, one tends to think there will be written text for the story. Not so with Journey by Aaron Becker. This winner of the Caldecott Honor Book Award published by Candlewick Press can truly stand alone as a “picture book” with no actual words written on its pages. How so?

As the little girl seated on the steps of her city home all forlorn and friendless drifts from moment to moment and room to room and family member to family member, she despairs of anything with which to entertain herself.

The pictures are drawn in muted browns, blues, and greys. There is a touch of color wash here and there, but mostly it is the muted tones of a dream world. There is a bright spot, though, in the red crayon of the little girl. Her crayon takes her on this magical Journey to kingdoms, danger, rescue, and friend.

When my four little granddaughters recently visited me, we had a grand time “reading” Journey. They loved picking out the minute details that flesh out the story. The bird (his color is purple). The boy with the purple crayon. I loved finding minute details in the early pages of the book that were replicated as a prison-cage, the military Phoenix, hot air balloon, etc.

Yes, a picture storybook without words is a possibility and it tells a grand tale, indeed.

Candlewick's guide to reading a "wordless" book.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.