In the Caldecott Honor-winning Journey, much of Becker-s energy was devoted to the story-s exquisite backdrops. Now,

The kids from Journey follow an old man--who's seized by soldiers after giving them an orange crayon and a map--back into that book's fantastical land. They follow the map along various quests to collect different-colored crayons and save the old man. Becker's illustrations are satisfyingly lush and full of subtle clues that will reward multiple readings.

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

Starred Review Becker continues the loving and gorgeous homage to imagination he began in Journey (2013) with this direct sequel. No sooner has our intrepid female protagonist returned home along with her purple-crayon-wielding friend than adventure taps her on the shoulder again, this time literally. An orange-tinted king, pursued by enemy knights, hands over a precious map that reveals locations for a rainbow of drawing implements that match the power of the girl's own red crayon. The two kids cross over once again, and this time Becker expands his world from the complex castle-city of the previous volume to include vast double-page spreads of underwater ruins, dense jungles, precarious towers, and frosted mountaintops. Always, quick thinking and imagination supersede combat as the kids use both to evade the pursuing army and return rainbow-hued order to the kingdom. In addition to the winning adventure of the silent story, Becker manages to evolve his imagery with more sophisticated designs and ideas that draw readers into the narrative ever more deeply, proving once again that lush details, a meticulous sense of motion and action, and a boundless love of fun are worth all the words in the world. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: New York Times best-selling Becker won wide acclaim for Journey, including a Caldecott Honor. His many fans will be eager for the follow-up.