Journey    by Aaron Becker Order:  USA  Can Candlewick, 2013 (2013) Hardcover     Reviewed by Bob Walch Since this picture book doesn't have any text at all, the person who receives it will have to supply the story, or at least a story to go along with the wonderful illustrations. The main character is a little girl who appears to be lonely. One day she takes a red marker, which obviously has magical properties, and draws a door on her bedroom wall. Then she pops through that red door and enters a special land. Using her red marker the little girl creates, at different times, a boat, hot air balloon, and flying carpet that provide the transportation she needs as she visits some very exotic places. Along the way the child encounters a caged bird (a metaphor for her situation a literature major would say!) which she frees. The two remain companions until the story ends and the girl returns home, where the bird seems to return the girl's favor. Actually, I just gave you my interpretation of Becker's illustrations. You could see it in a similar vein or much differently. That's the beauty of this book; it demands you use your own imagination to create a story to accompany the illustrations. Obviously Journey would be appropriate for an older child or even an adult. At a certain age (it differs from child to child) youngsters begin to make up their own stories as they play. When you discover that your son or daughter is playing make-believe, you'll know it is time to give the child this book. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews