Wander begins with a dreaming bear waking from hibernation, and meanders along across the seasons, exploring the environment, encountering wildlife and sharing new experiences before returning to hibernation at the end of the year.
This story is told from the bear’s perspective – imagined via rich bearish glyphs representing the bear’s language. A full glossary of pictographs serves as a reference to check your understanding.
Wander illustrates the richness, complexity and validity of all life.
The Apple Books version includes tappable glyphs with short definitions.
Ages 9+
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Wander is a wordless children’s book that allows readers to infer what is happening on each page using expressive illustrations and pictorial symbols along the side of each page. Readers might wonder what these symbols mean. How do they relate to the beautifully crafted illustrative pages? At first glance, some symbols can be confusing for kids and (possibly) adults. There are a few symbols that kids should be able to deduce their meaning without guidance, such as the flame representing a hot or warm day, and the wavy lines representing water. There are animal symbols, too, which should not stump the author’s target audience: 9+ years. However, with 72 symbols in total, the author realizes readers will need help, so they have thoughtfully included a glossary page for the glyphs. My advice: bookmark these pages because you will need them!
Wander, with or without glyphs, is a book that sparks the imagination of children of all ages. The bright, bold illustrated pages are perfect to catch a baby and toddler’s attention. For kids three and older, the illustrative story will undoubtedly be a source of joy and serve as a valuable tool for cognitive development, allowing them to express their thoughts and interpretations of the pages.
Wander is full of expressive imagery, where, as the saying goes, a photo really does say a thousand words. We watch as a bear emerges from hibernation during spring to greet the seasonal changes. His watchful expression is mirrored by the puffy-looking, but adorable, bubble bees. He greets a bright two-tone caterpillar who probably wishes the bear slept a bit longer. The bear’s exploration of the seasonal changes leads him to a stream where his path crosses with a reptile. As summer turns into fall, the sweet bear finds himself in a precarious situation. Young readers can infer the mood during the autumn months by looking at the characters’ eyes; no decoder needed for these pages! The animal’s journey in Wander comes full circle, beginning with a large, brown bear waking from hibernation and concluding with snowflakes signaling it’s time to hibernate once more.
Wander, a brightly colored pictograph storybook, is recommended by the author for children nine years and older. While the pictographs and in-depth conversation are suitable for this age group, the illustrations are timeless, making it a book that families can cherish for many years to come.
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤
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