by Dan Santat
First published 2016
A young boy sits trapped in the backseat during an endless drive to his grandmother's house. The minutes crawl by so slowly that time itself begins to reverse. His imagination takes over as boredom transforms the ordinary trip into something extraordinary. Dinosaurs stomp across prehistoric landscapes. Ancient Egyptian pyramids rise from desert sands. Medieval knights clash in battle while pirates sail dangerous seas. Each fantastical world springs from his restless mind as the car rolls forward. Through his wild daydreams, the boy discovers that even the most tedious journey can become an adventure when imagination takes the wheel. This story captures the universal childhood experience of long car trips and the magical power of a creative mind to transform waiting into wonder.
Genres: adventure, fantasy, contemporary, childrens
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
40 pages · Hardcover · Andersen Press