Our journey nears its end, both in the world of imagination, and my journey in Uganda.

In Return, our heroes, and we as readers, are allowed to enter the enchanted realm one last time. In an end most fitting to this incredible journey, Return brings in elements of the first two books, while still creating a new and thrilling adventure.

“…a suspenseful and moving finale…”

I’m a bit sad that this is the final book. These have absolutely been my favorite picture books I’ve received to review.

There are many reasons these books stand out. The artwork for one. But I think the reason they keep pulling me back in, is because they make me feel like a kid again. I feel that same sense of wonder I felt reading Chronicles of Narnia or Harry Potter, or watching my first Disney movie. I want to be part of this world, and I feel like I’m part of this world as soon as I turn the first page.

What books do you remember with a sense of wonder?

Which world have you been most sad to leave when the book was over?

Join the discussion and comment below for a chance to win a copy of Journey and Quest! I will randomly select a winner from those who comment on any (or all) of the review posts for the Journey Trilogy. The winner will be announced when I return from Uganda!

Return

Ignored once again by her father, our heroine escapes to the world she’s grown to love. Armed with her magical red marker, and surrounded by friends, she has no plans of returning to the world she left behind. But soon, her reverie is shattered by an old enemy. Wielding a new and powerful object, they threaten everything the young heroes have worked so hard to save. Now it will take a great and powerful force to overcome the enemy and bring our heroes home.

Return, by Aaron Becker, is a powerful ending to a wondrous adventure. Bringing together elements from his first two books, this is a fitting and fantastical grand finale. The author is once again able to convey so much emotion through his storytelling style, where words would distract from the powerful images. Children and adults will be sad to see this trilogy end, but the story will continue to grow in young imaginations. This is one journey you don’t want to miss.

Thank you to Candlewick Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.