The Great Expedition - by Peter Carnavas (Hardcover)

About the Book

From the author-illustrator of A Quiet Girl, Peter Carnavas showcases the daring adventures of young explorers as they traverse the wild country in their own backyard.

Book Synopsis

The Great Expedition explores the wild country, the playground, but most importantly, your imagination.

On August 20th, a group of young explorers are charged with a dangerous mission. They are to travel across wild country to deliver a valuable parcel. The journey would be punishing. It would test the resolve of the brave young explorers. Most of all, it would provide us all with a pair of unlikely heroes to admire and remember for many years to come. This is their story.

Precise writing captures the essence of summer, while illustrations highlight the joys of going on an adventure. A celebration of the everlasting memories of childhood friendship.

Peter Carnavas, author-illustrator of A Quiet Girl and The Elephant, writes with a sense of adventure and play, while his illustrations create humor and relatability.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Great Expedition

2025 Bank Street College of Education "Best Children's Books of the Year" Starred ★ Selection

"The book wrings laughs from these juxtapositions, but the contrariety of text and images also drives the audience's interest. It's satisfying to look at the pictures and see what's really going on....His drawings are warm and gentle, and his tale imbues the children's adventure with a dignity that's surprisingly heartfelt. In the end, the trailblazers get a warm hug from their neighbor and a heroic valediction: 'Their story will not be forgotten.' That claim might not be overblown. For the adult unafraid to ham it up in the mode of a bombastic documentarian, this book has the makings of a memorable read-aloud."--The New York Times

"Children will appreciate this absorbing adventure, which honors the power of imagination as it tickles the funny bone....A lighthearted hero's journey."--Kirkus Reviews

"There is good-natured spoofing....But this work also understands that the responsibility of an errand is a big deal for little kids, and the largely single-plane drawings, rendered in watercolor and ink, strike a fine balance between mock-seriousness and earnest adventure."--Publishers Weekly

"Carnavas has a tongue-in-cheek sense of humour....The Great Expedition will delight young children and may inspire them to embark on...expeditions of their own."--CM Magazine

"With a bow towards the remarkable creativity of many young children, this humorous tale turns the mundane into an adventure story."--CLCD - Children's Literature