Journey Hardcover - 2013

Media reviews

A masterwork.
—The New York Times

An imaginative adventure story whose elaborate illustrations inspire wonder, careful examination and multiple reads.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred 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)

[An] auspicious debut... [a] captivating wordless story... 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)

We live in a time with a lot of flash and beep and tweets. Mr. Becker has made a beautiful reminder that there are times we need to turn it off. Sometimes we need a book, some quiet, and our imagination. It's so well done.
—Erin Stead, 2011 Caldecott Medal Winner for A Sick Day for Amos McGee

I fell into this breathtaking adventure and didn't want to leave. This is a book of extraordinary magic and beauty.
—Julie "Jules" Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

First-time author Becker sweeps readers away on the very best kind of journey, allowing a complex color scheme, intricate fantasy environments, and a stirring sense of adventure to tell the story without a single word. ... 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)

Dreamlike... Like Harold and his purple crayon before her, the child discovers that she can use a crayon to make an imaginative escape -- and what an escape it is! ... Dazzling.
—The Wall Street Journal

[A] wordless tour de force... Completely original. ... Becker's breathtaking urban and bucolic scenes map out a visual narrative that reflects the girl's journey--both external and internal. ... Here's hoping there's more to come from this talented newcomer.
—Shelf Awareness for Readers (starred review)

With this wordless tour de force, Aaron Becker gives a nod to the likes of Crockett Johnson and Shaun Tan--but in a completely original work. … Becker's breathtaking urban and bucolic scenes map out a visual narrative that reflects the girl's journey--both external and internal. By the conclusion, readers see that all she needs is a likeminded friend. Here's hoping there's more to come from this talented newcomer.
—Twenty by Jenny

This absolutely gorgeous wordless picture book is a testament to the skill of author/illustrator Aaron Becker. As Journey ends, you'll want to immediately return to the beginning to experience it again.
—NPR Books

Becker's wordless masterpiece is both timely and timeless, drawing inspiration from the classic "Harold and the Purple Crayon" to draw the reader into an entirely new and beautifully-rendered world.
—The Huffington Post

Talk about making your own adventure! ... [E]xtraordinary kindness and a couple of crayons produce an ending so original and satisfying you can’t but shake your head and smile. This gorgeous, wordless book is a gem.
—Redbook

[A]n absolutely magical tale... Becker's picture book is one of the finest get-lost-in-your-own-imagination tales of loneliness, escape, adventure, and, ultimately, new friendship that I've read in quite some time.
—USA Today Online

Becker launches readers into a wordless adventure amid exotic lands and narrow escapes—thanks to the bright red marker-wielding heroine. Think Crockett Johnston’s ‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’ crossed with Neil Gaiman’s ‘Stardust.’ A lonely girl steps from her black-and-white world into a vast, colorful journey. Some stories, including this one, don’t need words to fire the imagination.
—The Boston Globe

With its fine attention to detail and jaw-dropping storyline, Becker has created a modern day classic in the midst of an overpopulated genre. ... I don’t get to use this word very often when I’m talking about books for young children but I’m going to dust it off and use it now: Beautiful. There’s no other way to describe Journey.
—Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production (SLJ Blog)

Citations

• Booklist, 08/01/2013, Page 74
• Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks, 10/01/2013, Page 75
• Horn Book Magazine, 09/01/2013, Page 71
• Hornbook Guide to Children, 01/01/2014, Page 0
• Kirkus Best Picture Books, 11/15/2013, Page 44
• Kirkus Reviews, 06/01/2013, Page 0
• New York Times Book Review, 11/10/2013, Page 31
• NY Times Notable Bks of Year, 12/08/2013, Page 35
• People Weekly, 08/12/2013, Page 67
• Publishers Weekly, 05/20/2013, Page 0
• School Library Journal, 07/01/2013, Page 55
• Shelf Awareness, 08/13/2013, Page 0
• SLJ's Best Books, 12/01/2013, Page 31