THE YELLOW ROAD

Fantastically detailed paintings depict a young boy’s encounters with a variety of quirky characters as he travels through unfamiliar territories in this Swedish import.

Pale-skinned, towheaded Sam wakes to find himself in a forest. A number of friendly “small folk” surround him and offer assistance. A wise woman tells him to take the “yellow road” to get back home. As he walks, climbs, rides, sails, and even parachutes, a magical backpack gifted by the small folk holds an apparently endless supply of just what he needs at any given moment. As in previous works, Nordqvist’s ink, watercolor, and acrylic illustrations reward close attention; the artwork contains myriad items not referred to in the straightforward text. Miniature farms with insect livestock, fancifully built houses, the wise woman’s cluttered room, and an artist’s studio are particularly intriguing. A spontaneous dip in a soup-pot pool, an amusing underwater scene, and a frantic chase by assorted animated toys add humor to Sam’s journey. Encounters with (slightly) menacing trolls and talking animals contribute to the fairy-tale feel. Reminiscent of Remy Charlip’s Fortunately (1964), the episodic tale sees Sam experiencing both setbacks and serendipitous events. Once reassured by Sam’s arrival in familiar surroundings, youngsters will undoubtedly enjoy multiple readings—or at least some backtracking to pore over their favorite scenes.

Whimsical settings, creatively imagined creatures, and nonstop action make this unplanned trip well worth taking.