K-Gr 2 In this wordless picture book, insect-sized explorers set off from their village to go on an adventure. Along the way, they must overcome several perils, such as a hungry blue jay and an angry chipmunk. Though teamwork and blind luck, they arrive at their destination, an unguarded bag of marshmallows, and take one back to their village for a feast. Nolan's illustrations are wonderfully detailed and textured, from the jagged roots and tree bark the group climbs to the wings of the dragonfly that soars overhead. His work with shadows is exceptionally impressive; as the characters run for their lives, the hunters' oblong shadows accentuate their various actions. However, very young readers may be frightened by the team's antics, as the backyard animals that chase the travelers come across as monsterlike. Overall, this is a good adventure story that's silly and original. Fans of David Wiesner's imaginative works may want to give it a try. Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI

Nolan's latest wordless picture book features seven intrepid gnomish creatures who brave the wilderness in search of a sweet prize. The hunting party o resemble a cross between Palmer Cox's Brownies and Highlights magazine's Timbertoes ke along useful equipment (map, spear, spyglass, etc.) and encounter gnarly roots, enormous boulders, and menacing wildlife. Finally they locate their target bag of marshmallows, unguarded by its young female owner, who is preoccupied with her own roast d procure just one for their village. Nolan's use of perspective allows readers to gradually discover his protagonists' true diminutive size. Alien landscapes are revealed bit by bit to be simple stones and tree roots, and while a dragonfly, toad, blue jay, and chipmunk provide the story's dramatic moments, no blood is shed on this trek. This is sure to be popular with fans of David Wiesner's Mr. Wuffles (2013) and Flotsam (2006), as well as Aaron Becker's Journey (2013); be sure to provide plenty of time to peruse the glorious mixed-media art.

A group of diminutive hunters travels into a forest, discovering new things and escaping dangers along the way. Their journey ends with a sweet discovery that they share with everyone back home. Reminiscent of William Joyce's style, Nolan's wordless picture book--presented in vibrant pen-and-ink and watercolor spreads--contains plenty of visual beauty, humor, and suspense to enchant readers.