This Is a Door - by Daniel Nayeri (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A groundbreaking hero's journey from National Book Award and Newbery Honor winner, Daniel Nayeri! A young boy, a mouse, and a dog set out to find their purpose in this fairy tale adventure told in an innovative visual format that offers a one-of-a-kind reading experience.

This is the tale of a boy named Nothing the Younger, who lives in a city on the mountaintop of a far-off and long-lost country. Everyone calls him Ing, and while he has no parents, he does have two friends: a dog, Pöppy, and a mouse, mOmO. When King Cyrus calls for a hero to find and defeat the Giantess ravaging the countryside, the king's son, the Wander Prince, answers the call and Ing decides to follow. Along the journey, Ing (and his friends) must traverse the Land of the Dead, survive an encounter with the terrifying wimmelworm, and discover the truth of his mother and father . . . so that he may find what he's been seeking all along--his best purpose.

The text on each page snakes, climbs, jumps, and explodes into shapes and forms that unravel the story. This Is a Door is full of fun surprises and poignant musings that flip the classic hero's journey on its head--all in an artistic and inventive package that is a wonder to behold.

Review Quotes

"While the story is well-told and satisfying, the standout element is the method of telling it, as Nayeri sets both pace and tone for the reader with a creative artistry." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, STARRED review

"Every now and then a special book comes along that is delightfully different and memorable, and This Is a Door by Daniel Nayeri is one of them... This Is a Door marks yet another of Nayeri's virtuoso performances, offering wisdom and wonder for all." --BookPage, STARRED review

"A wonderfully creative endeavor ... shows readers how to bend ideas and make them their own." --Booklist

"A visually captivating tale for readers of fairy tales, fantasy adventure, and concrete poetry." --School Library Journal, STARRED review

"Plenty of liveliness for both eye and mind." --Horn Book, STARRED review

"Loyal, kindhearted characters navigate complex emotions with grace, while fizzes of gentle humor keep the tone light. It's a visually stunning and remarkably innovative tale." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

"Engaging, pensive, quirky: A portal that shows the transformative powers of creative thinking and life experiences." --Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review