Journey and Quest

JOURNEY by Aaron Becker. Candlewick Press, 2013.

QUEST by Aaron Becker. Candlewick Press, 2014.

Journey, quest without
A word. Adventure, intrigue
Will you go along?

The Girl and the Bicycle

THE GIRL AND THE BICYCLE by Mark Pett. Simon and Schuster, 2014.

No words, just pictures
To tell the story. A girl,
a bike and a dream.

BANG!

BANG! by Leo Timmers. Gecko Press, 2013.

Only one word appears in this book: BANG! As different vehicles crash into one another across double page spreads, the story unfolds (and does that literally on one DPS that folds out on both sides to show the large scene from start to finish). Plenty of story here through remarkably detailed illustrations. Check out the facial expressions of the drivers and passengers.

Pictures telling stories

THE BOY AND THE AIRPLANE by Mark Pett. Simon and Schuster, 2013.

Without words, Pett tells the story of a young boy and his toy airplane. Playing with the plane is a source of great pleasure until the plane becomes lodged on a rooftop. It is too high for a ladder to reach, a lasso does not work either. The solution will surprise readers of all ages. The old time quality of the illustrations emphasizes the timeless nature of this story about determination and patience.

Red Hat

RED HAT by Lita Judge. Atheneum, 2013.

hat happens when a defenseless red knit hat is left drying on a clothesline? It goes on an adventure, of course, aided and assisted along the way by various animals. Tie this one to Jan Brett's THE MITTEN.

power of words; power of silence

TAKE WHAT YOU CAN CARRY by Kevin C. Pyle (Holt 2012) demonstrates once again the power of the GN format. Pyle tells two separate stories that merge in this GN. In textless sepia tones, readers watch as a family of Japanese-Americans are rounded up following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They watch their story unfold as they are sent to "relocation centers" and have to manage to survive with very little in terms of foo or shelter. The second story, told in black and white with washes of pale blue is the story of a teen who has moved to a new neighborhood and is struggling to make new friends. Kyle becomes a bit of a risk taker and before long is stealing small things from a local convenience store. Here is where the stories merge. What Pyle is able to accomplish with minimal color and minimal text truly demonstrates his genius. Refer kids to other Pyle books, especially BLIND SPOT. For more on the Japanese internment, direct them to books such as FAREWELL TO MANZANAR, ONLY WHAT WE COULD CARRY, and BASEBALL SAVED US among others. <315>

family and friends

THE HERO OF LITTLE STREET by Gregory Rogers (Roaring Brook Press, March 2012) is the third book in the boy bear series (and it is not necessary to have seen the other two to enjoy this one). it is a textless adventure in picture book/graphic novel format that follows a boy escaping a gang of bullies. Readers can tell their own story as they follow our "hero"into a museum and then into a painting. <34>




THE FAMILY TREE by David McPhail (Holt, March 2012) presents the story of a tree that has been in one family for a long time. When the family first arrived, they left one tree standing for shade and shelter. As time passes, the tree grows taller and is slowly surrounded by new members of the family. One day, the tree is scheduled for destruction; it will be cut down to make room for a new highway. However, one young boy is determined to save the "family tree." <35>