Wonder Walkers

by Micha Archer

Micha Archer's detailed collages give readers an outlook on the splendors of nature.

When two curious kids embark on a wonder walk, they let their imaginations soar as they look at the world in a whole new light. They have thought-provoking questions for everything they see: Is the sun the world's light bulb? Is dirt the world's skin? Are rivers the earth's veins? Is the wind the world breathing? I wonder . . .

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens, Fiction, Storytime, Adventure, Environment

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 30, 2021

Reviews

[Calista]

I absolutely love the art in this book and it's no wonder to me that it won the Caldecott Medal this year.

The artwork is tone in inks and collage using tissue paper. It makes for a lovely, textured effect that has real emotion in it. The colors are plentiful and used well.

The story is sort of esoteric. 2 children are walking along the beach asking sort of deep questions. Example: Is the sun the world's light bulb? No answers are provided in any way. Each page is another question to ponder. I think my favorite: "Is fog the river's blanket?" I do love that image. The artwork with it is beautiful and I would love a picture of that artwork on my wall. Simply, different ways to think of the world. I would love to read this with my kids back when and see what their reactions would be. (It's now, don't bother me, I'm watching youtube, or playing video games.)

Not the best story book, perhaps, but a great book to get kids thinking in new ways. The artwork is worth study. So glad I'm picking up the Caldecott books again. I'm nearly caught up. 2 left, I think.

[Shari (Shira)]

This is one of Mock Caldecott's book for the month of June. It's a contender. Simple, yet poetic text. Absolutely amazing illustrations! Why haven't I heard of Micha Archer? I'm staking her out now!

[Chrissy]

The illustrations are colorful, textured and feel perfect for the book. They keep the eye entertained and lay out all the different settings beautifully. The text is fine for reading aloud and tries to engender imagination in the reader, however, I crave some sort of resolution or point, instead of a string of open ended questions.

[Ms. B]

3.5 stars. What if Earth was a person? This story dares readers to wonder through a series of questions like "Are trees the Earth's legs?" and "Are the branches of trees arms?"
What additional questions will readers think of?

[T Crockett]

I think it would be great in a science lesson, to get kids' "I wonder" thinking started.

I was a little put off by how the kids anthropomorphized the natural world in their questioning, but that something real kids would do so it is appropriate.

The images are gorgeous! There are several I would happily hang on my wall.

[Michele Knott]

Great for inquiry!

[Laura]

Gorgeous! Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer is a beautiful book through and through.

Two young kids take readers outside to explore. As they walk, run, and breath in the wonder of nature, they begin to wonder.

“Are trees the sky’s legs?” or “Is the wind the world breathing?”

Wonder has always been a magical word for me. It inspires and creates and pushes you to move. Pair the word wonder with walkers and boom!…the wow factor doubles. My heart soars saying those two words together. Walking means a lot to me. It’s freedom! Freedom to step outside and move and ignore the clock. I’m a walker and believe me it takes time. But it’s time I use to relax, to see, and yes…to wonder. A walk helps you connect not only to the land, but to the people you meet along the way. Walking is the perfect way to take in the wonder of it all. And Ms. Archer captures all of that in these pages.

Take a walk through this art to start! Ms. Archer’s collages are like nothing I’ve seen before. Vivid colors, textures, and movements. The sun SHINES in the yellows. Trees REACH for the top of the page and beyond. Rain SLASHES the page in lines. And more! You’ll see so much. The art will leave you in awe. Every page made me want to walk and wonder.

Go! Go take a walk. You’ll never know what you’ll find in the world and yourself.

Highly recommended read.

[Jillian Anderson]

Loved the illustrations on this one. Simple text. Perfect as a discussion book.

[Mary]

Two children take a nature walk and speculate about what they see: "Is dirt the world's skin? Are roots the plant's toes?" The lush ink and collage illustrations were made with tissue paper and patterned papers using Archer's homemade stamps. A lovely picture book to share before or after a walk outside.

[donna backshall]

Words truly cannot do this book justice. I feel like it will do for the imaginations of today's children what Where the Wild Things Are did for mine.

[Margaret Boling]

2/5/2022 ~ Stunning illustrations (and a Caldecott Honor for 2022). Thought provoking questions. I don't think this is a book children will come back to on their own. However, when used in conjunction with conversations and other "wonderings," I think kids will begin to look more deeply.

[Paula]

STUNNING.

[jada alexis]

sooooo beautiful and poetic. art style was also gorgeous!!!

[Shiloah]

I loved this book! Great pictures and loved the “wonder” questions.

[Victor The Reader]

We all wonder why the world lives the way it does: why is the sky blue?, where does the wind come from and why does the sun set? In this book, we see a brother and sister take a walk to see the wondrous nature around their home with curious questions on their minds. Nice and great read for kids curious about the world, and I love the collage-style art. A- (91%/Excellent)

[Becca]

Gorgeous illustrations highlight questions about the natural world.

[Carol V]

This book speaks to readers, asking them to put phones and devices aside. Step outside and really look at the world for a day. Ponder and question how things work. Wonder Walkers is an imaginative way at examining our Earth. Two children spend a day questioning the landscapes where they live. Archer uses collages to design her pages. She has drawers filled with all kinds of patterns to pull from. She uses stamps she has created from intertubes, string, rubber bands, and more. Archer designed a house from paper in order to get proper perspective for the houses in her final scene at nightfall.

Worthy of Caldecott? Yes! Why, Archer's illustrations speak as a gentle reminder for us to take care of our world and be stewards of the land. Archer wants her pictures to be simple and readable in order to keep her books interesting.

[Viviane Elbee]

Pretty poem set up as a series of questions that two kids have while on a "wonder" nature walk.
Questions like: is the sun the world’s light bulb? Is the fog the river’s blanket? Are forests the mountain’s fur? Are trees the sky’s legs? Do caves have mouths? Are shells the shore’s necklace? Is the wind the world breathing? And it circles around to “I wonder. Me too" twice. Illustrations in collage are nice.

[Moonkiszt]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

A lyrical read, swooping through the gorgeous illustrations built to support the words . . you simply just want to wander with these two darlings.

My kiddos enjoyed this book, and mentioned places close by them that were similar to the scene pictured at each page turn. A joy to read.

[Ellen]

Archer’s collage illustrations once again create intricately layered detailed scenes in her newest picture book. In this picture book, her full-bleed, double-page ink and collage spreads celebrate the grandness of nature while still effecting a sense of invitation and safety.

[Frankie S]

Simple text, lovely illustrations and new ways to appreciate and view our beautiful world thanks to this book.

[Erin]

I will be buying this one for sure. The text is simple but that lets the illustrations really shine.

[Doris]

Beautiful and beautiful words

[Maggi Rohde]

Vivid colors, beautiful composition!

[Thomas Bell]

To me you can attach metaphors to whatever you want, and wondering whether it is true or not isn't my thing. Perhaps I have too technical of a mind for this book, but it's not for me.

[Terri]

This book is gorgeous and it would be a wonderful book to create a lesson around imagination, comparisons, similes, nature, etc..

[Sarah]

2022 Caldecott Honor. Stunning collages in a book that Charlotte Mason would have adored.

[Emma Rewis]

K-2. Two children are sitting around bored in the house. The little girl asks the little boy to go on a Wonder Walk. The duo walks all over nature and uses their imaginations to observe and ask questions about the world around them. This story ignites curiosity and inspires exploration, and young readers The imagery is very fanciful but will still be easily understood by children - especially with assistance from the illustrations. The readers will enjoy how the characters let them see the world through their eyes. Regarding excellence, this book’s endpapers are incredibly cozy and perfect for setting up the tone of the rest of the book. Additionally, it takes a special kind of artist to show the exact right perspective in order for readers to see what the words are suggesting. There are actually very few words on the page, but so much is conveyed when paired with the illustrations.

[Katt Hansen]

The point of this book is the questions, but never are any answers given.

In this delightful and beautiful book, two children are exploring the world and asking really deep and important questions which made even me stop and think for a bit. I loved the childish wonder (hence the name of the book) that is so beautifully captured. I even remembered a little of what it felt like to look at the world with questions instead of answers as I paged through this delightful book.

I wish I'd never lost this wonder, and am in awe of someone who could remember it well enough to share with others. Finally, the textual and artistic choices of this book are definitely spot on. I wouldn't mind sitting down and reading this one through again and again.

[Alissa Wood]

What a beautiful story as an ode to the wonders of nature and a well-deserved Caldecott Honor Award winner! The illustrator works "in oil and collage on paper she creates with homemade stamps and layered tissue paper" (from the book jacket). This is a medium I have never seen before and it makes for a truly unique experience!