Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what a picture book should be. Aaron Becker created something genuinely special here—a wordless adventure that lets kids (and adults) become the storyteller. The red marker premise is simple but brilliant: a lonely girl draws her escape into a fantastical world of castles, boats, and flying carpets.

The Caldecott Honor wasn't a fluke. The illustrations are intricate and luminous, packed with details that reveal themselves on repeated readings. And unlike some wordless books that feel gimmicky, this one has a complete narrative arc with real stakes, emotion, and a satisfying resolution about courage and friendship.

What makes it genuinely great is the accessibility—a two-year-old can enjoy pointing at pictures, a five-year-old can narrate their own version, and an eight-year-old can discuss themes of loneliness and self-determination. It's also mercifully short (you can read it in 5 minutes or spend 20 discussing every detail), making it perfect for bedtime or library storytimes.

The only kids who might not love it are those who strongly prefer text-heavy books, but even they usually come around. This is an easy recommend for any family with young kids.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 2-8, with the sweet spot around 3-6. Toddlers enjoy the pictures and simple narrative, preschoolers love telling the story themselves, and early readers appreciate the intricate details and deeper themes. Parents can enjoy it too—this is legitimately beautiful art.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

A wordless picture book that models courage, kindness, and self-determination without any negative content. The story centers on a lonely girl who uses creativity to escape into a magical world, ultimately performing an act of tremendous courage and kindness to free herself from a sinister emperor. The emotional tone is hopeful and empowering, with themes of friendship emerging naturally. Parent reviews confirm it works for ages 2+ with great messages about resilience and imagination.

Imaginative

98

This is peak imaginative storytelling. A girl literally draws her own adventure with a red marker, creating boats, balloons, and flying carpets to navigate a fantastical world. The wordless format means every child (and adult) can interpret and narrate the story differently, inviting endless creative retellings. Caldecott Honor recognition and critical praise for 'nimble flights of fancy' and 'intricate fantasy environments' confirm this is a masterclass in visual imagination. Reviews note it rewards multiple readings with new details discovered each time.

Safe

95

Completely safe for young children. While there's a 'sinister emperor' who captures the protagonist, the resolution comes through courage and kindness rather than violence. No scary imagery, no trauma, no inappropriate content. Parent reviews confirm even almost-two-year-olds enjoy it with no concerns. The wordless format means no language issues. Only minor deduction because 'danger' and 'capture' might be slightly tense for very sensitive toddlers, but the tone remains gentle throughout.

Enriching

88

A Caldecott Honor book that builds visual literacy, narrative skills, and emotional intelligence. The wordless format actively engages children in storytelling, teaching them to read visual cues, sequence events, and interpret emotion through art. Themes of self-determination, problem-solving, courage, and kindness provide meaningful takeaways. School Library Journal notes it 'rewards readings and rereadings' with packed details. However, it's primarily a visual experience rather than teaching specific academic skills, hence not a perfect enrichment score.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Wordless format means kids from 2 to 102 can enjoy it regardless of reading level—toddlers point, preschoolers narrate, older kids notice intricate details
Teaches visual literacy and narrative skills as children interpret the story themselves, making each reading unique to the reader
Stunning, luminous illustrations create an elaborate fantasy world that rewards multiple readings with new discoveries
Models courage, kindness, and creative problem-solving without being preachy—the girl literally draws her own solutions
Caldecott Honor recognition confirms this is top-tier picture book artistry

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What to Watch For

The 'sinister emperor' capture scene might be slightly tense for very sensitive toddlers, though it resolves gently
Wordless books require more parent engagement with younger kids—you'll need to help narrate or let them tell the story
Some kids prefer words and might find wordless books frustrating at first (but most warm up quickly)

Conversation Starters

"What do you think the girl is feeling at the beginning when she's alone? What makes you think that?"
"If you had a magic marker, what would you draw to help you on an adventure?"
"Why do you think the boy has a purple marker? What does he draw?"
"How did the girl show kindness even when she was in danger?"
"What do you think happens after the story ends?"

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