The Tree and the River

A spectacular time-lapse portrait of humankind - and our impact on the natural world - from a Caldecott Honor-winning master of the wordless form. For his latest feat of visual storytelling, the acclaimed creator of the Journey trilogy invents, in staggering detail, a familiar world layered with imaginary civilizations. Borrowing from multiple cultures and architectural styles to craft astonishing new humanscapes, Aaron Becker tracks the evolution of our species - and its toll on the Earth - through the fates of a lone tree and an enduring river. River and tree bear silent witness over time as people arrive to harness water, wind, and animals; devise technology and transportation; redirect rivers; and reshape the land. Timely and ultimately hopeful, this wordless epic invites readers to pore over spreads densely packed with visual drama. Fans of Journey , Quest, and Return will leap at a new chance to uncover sophisticated layers of meaning, marvel at intricate details - from holographic billboards to flying machines - and see our precious shared world through fresh eyes.