Journey

Journey
A Wordless Kid's Book

Are you ready to embark on a magical adventure with your students? "Journey" by Aaron Becker is the perfect wordless picture book to ignite their imaginations and take them on a whimsical ride through fantastical lands. Whether you're a primary school teacher or a home educator, this gem offers endless opportunities for creative storytelling and critical thinking.

First, let's dive into the beauty of "Journey." The book's illustrations are rich with detail and color, inviting young readers to explore every corner of the page. Without a single word, Aaron Becker masterfully tells the tale of a young girl who discovers a red crayon that allows her to draw a door into another world. Each turn of the page reveals new landscapes and challenges, from enchanted forests to majestic castles. This visual narrative encourages children to create their own stories and interpretations, making it a fantastic tool for developing language and comprehension skills.

Now, onto some fun, hands-on activities! Start by encouraging your students to "write" their own stories based on the illustrations. They can work individually or in groups to come up with different adventures for the girl. You could also have them create their own magical items and draw the worlds they would explore. For a more interactive experience, set up a "Journey" themed scavenger hunt in your classroom or at home. Hide objects related to the story, like a toy boat or a paper lantern, and have the children use clues to find them. This not only reinforces the narrative but also helps develop problem-solving skills.

Incorporating "Journey" into your curriculum or lesson plans can be as simple or elaborate as you like. The key is to let the children's creativity lead the way. So grab your red crayon and join your students on this incredible journey—you never know where it might take you!

Author: Aaron Becker

Aaron has worked as an artist in the film and animation industry, and is the creator of the beautiful wordless picture book, Journey, awarded the Caldecott Honor in 2014, and its follow-up, Quest.

Book Details:

Publisher: Walker
Format: Paperback
Print length: 40 pages
Reading age: 3-7 years old
Publication date: 03 Jun 2021
ISBN: 9781529505955

Read alongside these topics:

Tell Me A Story: Two

How can "Journey" by Aaron Becker help in teaching a Year 2 English "Tell Me A Story" Lesson?

Using "Journey" by Aaron Becker for a Year 2 "Tell Me A Story" Lesson

Aaron Becker's wordless picture book "Journey" can be an excellent resource for teaching a Year 2 "Tell Me A Story" lesson. Here are some ways to incorporate the book:

Developing Storytelling Skills

Have students study the illustrations in "Journey" and practice telling the story in their own words.
Encourage them to use descriptive language and make inferences about the characters' thoughts and feelings based on the visuals.
Guide them in structuring their stories with a beginning, middle, and end.

Exploring Story Elements

Discuss the key elements of a story, such as characters, setting, problem, and resolution, using "Journey" as an example.
Have students identify these elements in the book and use them as a framework for creating their own stories.
Encourage them to develop unique characters and settings while incorporating familiar story structures.

Using Prompts and Storyboards

Provide students with story starters or prompts inspired by the illustrations in "Journey".
Have them sketch a storyboard with key scenes from their story, similar to the panels in the book.
Guide them in using the storyboard to organize their thoughts and write their stories.

Collaborative Storytelling

Divide students into small groups and have them take turns adding to a story, building on each other's ideas.
Encourage them to use the book's format of a wordless story with illustrations as inspiration for their collaborative tales.
Have them create their own illustrations to accompany the story, similar to the style of "Journey".

By using "Journey" as a mentor text, you can engage students in the process of storytelling, help them develop their writing skills, and foster their creativity and imagination.