Journey (Aaron Becker's Wordless Trilogy, 1)

I am a preschool teacher and this is the book that students keep asking me to “read.” There are no words - just stunning illustrations. The story is captivating.

What a breath of fresh air. The art is very nice with an emphasis on architecture and larger forms, the story is simple and adventurous with good morals, and the book is a great way to have kids to put their own words to a story. Loved it instantly! Minor spoilers follow. The real reason I wanted to write a review, however, is to provide a counter to the reviews that raise concerns over the philosophy of the book. As the father of two daughters, I find them totally baseless. Two themes stuck out to me from the negative reviews: the 1950's style domestic mom on the intro pages, and the rescue of the heroine. As for the mom, the introductory pages are designed to show an imperfect family. The faults of the home (workaholic dad, electronics obsessed sis, overly domestic mother) are there for a reason: for the flaws! It's anecdotal, but my daughters caught on instantly and "read" the family as flawed. In short, the mom is a not a person to be emulated, so there is no problem. Regarding the heoine's rescue, I almost didn't buy the book because I was concerned over a knight in shining armor riding in to save the day; I dislike that particular deus ex machina. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In the story, the heroine saves a magical creature from the cage, who in return rescues the heroine when she is captured while rendering said assistance. I'm sorry, I have no idea how anyone construes helping others and accepting their help in return as negative... I hope this helps new buyers on the fence. Not everyone is going to like the art, or the price, or the lack of words, but the story and morals are just fine for young children.

This book has really captivated my 5 year old, and, to be really honest, me too. Without words, it tells the story of a little girl using a red crayon to enter a magical world, beginning with an enchanted forest lit by lanterns. I've sometimes struggled when reading wordless books with my children, but this one really just tells the story itself. The illustrations are incredible -- so detailed and just completely transport you into this magical world. The architecture of the castle, the waterways, and rich sense of place are just amazing. My son loves carefully examining the castle and waterways and magical flying machine. There is real plot here and most definitely bad guys, though they have not scared my 5 year old, who recently got scared of the cat in Disney's Cinderella. But I've chosen not to read this yet with my 2.5 year old. I do appreciate that there is real plot here and even the bad guys. I think we've lost sight of the fact that not all children's literature needs to model perfect behavior and that children do need some stories with conflict to better understand kindness and goodness. I would recommend this for ages 3.5/4 and up depending on where your kiddo is with enjoying things with bad guys in them.

My 2.5 year old had fun with this book. Easy to follow story. Well made book

This is, in my opinion, an essential book for parents and non-parents alike. It is a work of literature, stunning in its artistry, poetic in its imagery, minimalism, and allusions. What you have here is a wordless storybook. It is, I would suggest, more a work of art, a collection of linked paintings that tell a story. Our main character (nameless), seeks refuge from her disconnected life in the adventures she creates with her red crayon. Sound like a book we've all read and loved? Stay with me. She journeys, with her crayon, into a beautifully imagined world and an adventure. I really don't want to ruin the BRILLIANT (boy how I wish FB would let me italicize) twist ending, but I will say that this is so much more than an homage to HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON, it is an extension of it, a tribute to it, a joining of worlds. I read this book with my three-and-a-half-year-old son last night and he was enthralled. In spite of the fact that there were no words, he was gripped. Why? The lack of a defined way of telling this story allowed us to tell it ourselves. Tonight, when we read it again, it will be slightly different. New words will be used to give voice to the story told through the images. Every time we read this book, it will become new. That is special. I can't speak highly enough of this book. Even as an adult I read it and appreciate what it does. Absolutely stunning. Brilliant in every way. Please, do yourself a favor, spend the fourteen or fifteen bucks and get this. Cherish it. Because your child (or you) will read it at 3, at 5, at 10, at 16, at 30, at 80. This is a book I would, as a teacher, work into units from kindergarten through graduate school. How many books can you say that about? Incredible.

Journey is really great picture book! It is interesting to us, parents, as well as for our 3,5 years old. There was time when we had to watch (read) it every day for about 2 months (even more times at once!) and tell the story with it, so we tried to tell it every time differently, with different details in mind, adjectives, aims.. If this book would have words, it wouldn't have been what it is. This book is certainly a proof that pictures are worth thousand words. While watching the book I like to think where did author take the ideas from, because you can see architectural characteristics and details and also cultural features you can relate them to certain countries or even cities. And, what I like the most at this book, and I write it at the end, is the story and messages it gives. It's about finding our perfect match, when you have it (usually) in front of you, but you don't see it, with whom you share your unique you and with whom you can make perfect whole. It's about endless imagination and creativity, problem solving and courage. And it's about good acts and that good returns with good.

I bought this more for myself, as the pictures looked really beautiful, and thought my son would not really "get" it since he is only two. (i know i can't be the only parent who has done this after night after night of talking animals and muppets going potty). I sat down to show it to him, kind of assuming he would find it all too abstract (and i thought it may be a little scary for him). I was surprised and pleased that it seems to have really captured something in his imagination, he ha asked for it daily since then and carried it around. we have downplayed the scary factor but i can see how it could be too scary for some kids. this was one of those "your kid may surprise you" moments, to see his interest in the pictures and a very basic grasp of adventure and excitement was pretty cool. when he asks for it i think about years to come in narnia and middle earth and hogwarts and feel pretty excited!

I am a reading specialist using my skills as a volunteer reading tutor for the past 17 years in a local public school. My students range from 5-9. When I discovered "Journey" and the series, I was ecstatic - a novel with no words! I used this book with my second and third grade students. This books allows you to teach all the aspects of a novel: characters, location, plot, solution, and theme. Each student created the elements of the story then dictated the text to me as I typed on my computer. When revised, the student read the book to the class as I turned the pages!! The students were so proud of their work; I helped with vocabulary development ,descriptive words, reading interest; they owned their work with their ideas. My students range from low self-esteem, gifted, ELL - this approach can be used with all!!! The pictures are full of detail which invites imagination and awe! Thank you, Aaron Becker.