"Quest" (Book 2 in "Journey" trilogy) by author/illustrator: Aaron Becker [Review & Giveaway US/CANADA]

Hardcover $15.99

ISBN-13:9780763665951

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

Book 1 in Trilogy

My thoughts: Letting the imagination soar and venture into the unknown and untried is the gift to children in Journey and Quest. I found it a delight to review Journey and to "read" it with my grandchildren. With Quest our little boy and girl characters take their red and purple crayons and venture forth on a Quest to save the king.

They use other crayons along the way to enlighten and brighten their journey. A castle. A temple. A swinging bridge. A purple bird that leads and saves and now a purple octopus.

Becker's art captures emotions and creates adventure and excitement as they go forth to seek the king's rescue. The suspense builds and the increased coloration of the pages in rainbow hues take the story from the shadows of blues and greys to a bright world of color and happiness.

The story of rescue stands out. A "map" is given and tools appear (various color crayons). They go from color to color (following the circle of primary colors) in their Quest to rescue the King. No words are necessary and each age child can fill in the story's descriptive words to suit his or her own brimming imagination.

I sensed that the red crayon and the purple crayon, held in the boy's and girl's hands, were still the magical focus of colors in the story. Now I wonder just where those magical crayons will take us in Mr. Becker's next book in the series.

My review of Journey

GIVEAWAY 

Begins March 16
ENDS April 5  @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. 

 Open to USA & CANADA addresses

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The author Aaron Becker has made several memorable journeys in his lifetime. He’s lived in  rural Japan and East Africa, backpacked through the South Pacific and Sweden, and most recently, ventured from the San Francisco Bay area to Amherst, Massachusetts, a town he now calls home with his wife, daughter, and lazy cat. To this day, his favorite destination remains his imagination, where you can often find him drawing secret doorways and magic lanterns.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. Delight and opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated. The winner's copy will be provided by Candlewick and mailed directly to the winner.