Quest (Aaron Becker's Wordless Trilogy #2)

Becker's illustrations are satisfyingly lush and full of subtle clues that will reward multiple readings. ... [F]ans of the first book will ... be happy to explore this fantastical world in more depth.

In the Caldecott Honor-winning Journey, much of Becker's energy was devoted to the story's exquisite backdrops. Now, in the second wordless book of his planned trilogy, the focus is on his characters. On a rainy day in a city park, the girl who starred in Journey and the boy introduced at the end take refuge by a doorway under a bridge. To their surprise, a king emerges from the door just long enough to pass the two a map before soldiers apprehend him. Returning to the magical Pallonezia, they find the walled city in flames, under siege. Becker includes wonderfully evocative set pieces--a submerged city, a Mayan temple--as the pair follows the map to collect chalk markers in all the colors of the rainbow to free the king and save the city. As before, hearts will beat faster during cliff-hanging moments in which the children must draw their way out of danger. While the artwork is a bit rougher, the strong visual narrative and inventive action sequences offer even more to savor. It's another step forward in an already noteworthy career. Ages 4-8. Agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt. (Sept.)

Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 3—Becker places the boy, girl, and violet bird from Journey (Candlewick, 2013)—the first title of his wordless trilogy—into the gray watercolor and ink landscape of the second. Each child has a magical marker. As they take refuge from the rain under a bridge, the background skyscrapers recede and the fanciful sculptures of a winged gladiator and mermaid foreshadow coming adventures. Upon receiving a color-coded map from a king in custody, the kids sketch keys and enter the familiar realm from the previous title, where golden, Islamic domes mingle with medieval fortresses. This time, however, turrets blaze and enemy soldiers occupy the land. The quest takes the protagonists to an underwater Greco-Roman temple, through Mayan ruins and near a Buddha-like sculpture; four newly mined markers slip into a special belt that, when lifted up by the bird, creates a rainbow whose brilliance temporarily blinds their pursuers until order is restored. The arc also connects the children to their world upon reentry. Becker creates a visual narrative that is clear enough for children to decipher but complex enough to reward multiple readings. Much of the interest comes from his ability to successfully blend architectural styles from a variety of cultures and time periods, the type of exotic settings that children associate with potential danger and requisite cleverness and courage. He clearly understands (and perhaps wants to suggest) that loneliness, boredom, or rainy days can trigger rich, imaginative play. Creative problem solving is at the heart of this genial book.—Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

A wordless picture book with an enormous following. ... The vast landscapes [are] ably detailed in vibrant watercolors.
—New York Times Book Review 

The intricate scenery, which includes an elaborately constructed castle, soldiers' tiny dirigibles, an undersea civilization, and a flimsy and vertiginous rope bridge, provides a highly satisfactory imagined playground. The watercolors have a slightly smoky haze that adds to the epic quality of the landscape, while the inclusion of the map (a cleverly constituted color-coded infographic) allows kids to puzzle out the quest and match map components to the kids' stops.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Thrillingly vertiginous... An exhilarating sequel to last year's "Journey" that has every bit as much visual enchantment. ... [A]ll rendered in gorgeous, confident illustrations that feel at once familiar and yet totally new.
—The Wall Street Journal

Artist Aaron Becker needs no words to amaze readers in 'Quest.' The book — which is the sequel to the Caldecott Honor-winning 'Journey' — uses beautiful illustrations to guide children through a mesmerizing adventure involving a king, an enchanted door, and a majestic purple bird. Let your little one's imagination take flight.
—Parents Magazine (tablet edition)