School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 4-In this satisfying conclusion to the magnificent picture book trilogy, the young heroine once again tries to get her aloof illustrator father's attention and, failing, departs from her mundane sepia-colored world to a fantastical realm via a door she draws with her magic red crayon. This time, her father follows in her footsteps and catches up to her and her friends in the majestic and mysterious city. When crayon-thieving soldiers attack, epic escapades ensue as the duo and their friends flee, then discover a clever solution to defeating their foes that results in father and daughter finally bonding in a touching finale. Like its predecessors, this wordless tale brims with excitement and adventure. Becker's stunning watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations depict a breathtaking world that captivates without a written narrative-and one that readers will want to come back to again and again. VERDICT Though this title relies somewhat on the audience's knowledge of the previous books, it is an absolute must for any collection and will draw new fans just as it will delight those who enjoyed the previous two installments.-Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In a bravura finish to the trio of wordless tales that began with 2013's Journey, Caldecott Honoree Becker brings still more splendor and feeling to his architectural fantasy world. For the first time, readers meet the father of the girl with the red crayon, an artist who has sunk into his own work. Wielding her crayon, the girl escapes into the now-familiar fantasy kingdom to meet her friends, the boy and the king. Her remorseful father follows, arriving just as an enemy warrior wields a crank-operated vacuum box to suck up the kingdom's magic crayons and their creations. Father and daughter escape to a Lascaux-style cavern whose ancient paintings suggest a way to defeat their enemies, and they do just that. Fantastic contraptions, elaborate landscapes, and breathless escapes would each on their own distinguish this installment; together, they dazzle. That the father is redeemed by entering his daughter's kingdom and mastering its rules gives the story a sense of moral justice. Becker's creation is a gift to his readers-one they'll want to save for their own children. Ages 4-8. Agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
