“Nolan’s illustrations are wonderfully detailed and textured, from the jagged rocks and tree bark the group climbs to the wings of the dragonfly that soars overhead. His work with shadows is exceptionally impressive: as the characters run for their lives, the hunters’ oblong shadows accentuate their various actions. Overall, this is a good adventure story that’s silly and original.”
School Library Journal, Starred Review, Best Books of 2014
“In this stunning wordless picture book, several Lilliputian hunters make a long journey through the woods in search of sustenance, encountering obstacles that are small by human standards but enormously challenging for this endearingly stalwart little band. Nolan deftly plays with perspective with results that are humorous, clever, and awe-inspiring.”
School Library Journal, Best Books of 2014
“In this enchanting wordless fantasy from Nolan, seven tiny, gnomish beings set off from a fairy tale village on an expedition. A series of breathtakingly drafted and delicately tinted spreads shows the group clambering over stones and roots, and narrowly escaping a giant toad and a terrifying chipmunk. It’s merry, timeless entertainment that children will return to with pleasure.”
Publisher’s Weekly, Starred Review
“An intrepid band conquers a rugged landscape to capture an unusually tasty conquest in this funny, wordless story. Nolan’s watercolor, ink, and colored-pencil illustrations employ dizzying perspective and a lovely palette in tints of ochre, blue and lavender.”
Kirkus Reviews
“Hunters of the Great Forest is almost a traditional hero’s-journey story, as a group of tiny hunters travel in search of their surprising and funny prize. There is a whimsical, fairy-tale feeling to the art, but the book’s greatest charm and poetic achievement is in offering a new point of view. The detailed world of these bug-sized creatures is immediately enveloping. The frightening realities of being minuscule in a big world are, however, counterbalanced by the great joys of a small pleasure at the end (no spoiler here!).”
The New York Times Book Review
“Nolan’s use of perspective allows readers to gradually discover his protagonists’ true diminutive size. Alien landscapes are revealed bit by bit to be simple stones and tree roots, and while a dragonfly, toad, blue jay, and chipmunk provide the story’s dramatic moments, no blood is shed on this trek. Be sure to provide plenty of time to peruse the glorious mixed-media art.”
Booklist
“Nolan’s wordless picture book - presented in vibrant pen and ink and watercolor spreads - contain plenty of visual beauty, humor, and suspense to enchant readers.”
Horn Book
