Meticulously detailed full-page images and spreads created with dip pens and Indian ink, along with technical drawing pens, were used to develop a fascinating visual story of a paper boat on a fantastical journey. Under- and over-water images, each containing the boat somewhere in each black-and-white drawing, depict sea creatures, landscapes, skies, people, sea/water vessels, and environmental and atmospheric aspects. Readers construct the story in this generous-size wordless (silent) story, and may immediately return to review images when the boat's passenger emerges when the boat docks.

Society of Illustrators Dilys Evans Founder's Award Winner, A New York Times Best Book of 2020, A Wall Street Journal Best Book of 2020.

Netherlands. Originally published in Netherlands as The Wanderer by Querido in 2019. Published in the United States by Levine/Querido in 2020.

Society of Illustrators, Dilys Evans Founder's Award Winner
A New York Times Best Book of 2020
A Wall Street Journal Best Book of 2020

PRAISE

"Electrifying. Extraordinary. Enigmatic and gorgeous." —The Wall Street Journal

"An epic dream captured in superbly meticulous detail." —Shaun Tan

"Danger, magic, surprise and awe abound in this masterly, wordless debut." —The New York Times

"I love Van den Ende's passion." —Brian Selznick, New York Times Book Review

STARRED REVIEWS

★ "Marvelously engrossing—a triumph." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Remarkable. Absolutely sui generis." —Booklist, starred review

Without a word, The Wanderer presents one little paper boat's journey across the ocean, past reefs and between icebergs, through schools of fish, swaying water plants, and terrifying sea monsters. The little boat is all alone, and while its aloneness gives it the chance to wonder at the fairy-tale world above and below the waves, that also means it must save itself when it storms. And so it does.

Readers young and old will find the strength and inspiration in this quietly powerful story about growing, learning, and life's ups and downs.