The Wanderer by Peter Van Den Ende

The Wanderer illustrated by Peter Van Den Ende is a wordless picture book with dramatic and complex black and white illustrations. In this incredibly detailed visual narrative the story begins with the simple construction of a paper boat by two characters who will appear and reappear along the way. The fragile boat takes a path around the world and travels into places and lands not always familiar to the reader. The reader is offered the chance to let one’s imagination run wild and bask in the joy of creating one’s own story to fit the page. There is danger throughout the journey but the paper boat manages to gently meander along its path.

Van Den Ende has been able to capture the essence of worldly environments and at times alludes to the damage done by humankind. Some of the images appear Escher-like in their construction especially the white birds against a black background. The front end papers show the little paper construction against a tall fortress-like ship. The back endpapers clearly map the journey of the paper boat and the sights and perils encountered along the way.

It is simply quite stunning in its presentation and is a book that readers of all ages will pore over time and time again.

Themes: Art, Oceans, Lands, Danger, Mythical Creatures, Journeys.

Kathryn Beilby