The Children’s Book Review | August 2, 2016
Written and Illustrated by Aaron Becker
Age Range: 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Candlewick Press
ISBN: 978-0763677305
What to expect: Wordless Picture Books, Fantasy, Adventure, Art
It’s time to return to the amazing wordless world that began with Caldecott Honoree Aaron Becker’s Journey (2013) and Quest (2014). Return is the finale to the fantastical and adventurous trilogy.
There is only one thing for a girl to do when she can’t get the attention of her working father, grab her red marker, draw a door, and take a journey to the world that never fails to present an epic quest. On the other side of the door, familiar lanterns hang from the branches of trees and set the scene with an enchanting mood. It’s her third time back to this magnificent castle-filled realm where magic markers are being seized by villains attempting to remove color from the world. It proves to be a very thrilling adventure—especially when her father enters into the kingdom through the red drawn door in search of her. There are familiar friends and foes, battles, and great escapes. And incredible imaginative artwork is used as a powerful skill in an attempt to overcome the villains. Will the girl and her father be able to return home to a world with color, together?
Becker captives readers effortlessly with the elaborate realm he has created using watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations. The many castles, caves, tunnels, and canals that fill the pages are incredibly inventive and they make it easy to get lost in the magicaly believable wordless narration. The story becomes richer with every viewing and retelling.
This is a book that can be read solo or shared between parents and their children. Every child craves the attention of their parent(s) or caregiver(s), and parents and caregivers will enjoy the reminder of the magic that can come from immersing themselves in their child’s world and the beauty that comes from truly connecting. Read it by itself, or heighten this must-have wordless experience by beginning with Journey, following with Quest, and ending with Return. You’ll be glad you did.
Add this book to your collection: Return, by Aaron Becker
Available Here:
About Aaron Becker
Aaron Becker dreamed of traveling to castles when he was a boy. At age ten, he was lucky enough to visit the walled island of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France. Many years later, that visit inspired him to create the palatial castle featured throughout the Journey trilogy. Aaron recently returned to Europe with his family, where he completed the watercolor paintings you see in this book.
For more information, visit: StoryBreathing.com
Return, by Aaron Becker, was reviewed by Bianca Schulze. Discover more books like Return by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Aaron Becker, Adventure, Art, Fantasy, Journey Trilogy, and Wordless Books.