Image of Little Gryphon

 

Journey

The Journey trilogy, Book 1

Candlewick
Fiction, CH Fantasy/Picture Book
Themes: Creative Power, Girl Power, Portal Adventures
****+

Description

Bored and ignored, a girl picks up a red pen and draws a door on her bedroom wall, leading her into a strange and wondrous world.

Review

In the vein of the classic Harold and the Purple Crayon, this wordless tale celebrates the magic of imagination. Fascinating wonders await as the nameless heroine explores a castle of canals and giant airships, in an adventure that leads her to discover she's not as alone as she thought she was. The detailed artwork invites one to linger over each page. An enjoyable read, even without words.

 

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Quest

The Journey trilogy, Book 2

Candlewick
Fiction, CH Fantasy/Picture Book
Themes: Creative Power, Girl Power, Portal Adventures
****+

Description

A girl and a boy, waiting out a storm under a bridge, are startled by the arrival of a strange man, who hands them a map before being carried away by gray guards. With their magic pens, they follow him into the gray world beyond the door, searching for the lost colors that will restore the realm.

Review

A direct sequel to Becker's Journey, this continues the imaginative, wordless adventure of the girl with the red pen, joined by her friend and his purple bird. Small touches recall her previous visit to the magic realm, as the pair travel to deeper and stranger places in pursuit of the missing colors. Just as good as the first book, with the same sense of grand imagination.

 

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Return

The Journey trilogy, Book 3

Candlewick
Fiction, CH Fantasy/Picture Book
Themes: Creative Power, Girl Power, Portal Adventures
****+

Description

When her busy father ignores her, a girl draws a door on her wall and returns to the world beyond, where art and color come alive and where she's a hero. Her father follows, and finds himself swept up in the adventure when a new enemy attacks.

Review

I saw this go through the library today, and had to grab a copy for a quick read as I worked. Like the first two books, Return tells a great, imaginative story with no words needed. This time, a grown-up joins the action along with the girl and her friend from the previous tales. Her father helps, but doesn't overwhelm or try to take control from the children. As for the world beyond the door, it remains as wild and wondrous as ever, with page-filling images bursting with color.

 

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