Wherever You Go

by Pat Zietlow Miller, Eliza Wheeler (Artist)

Roads give you chances to seek and explore. Want an adventure?
Just open your door.


Join an adventurous rabbit and his animal friends as they journey over steep mountain peaks, through bustling cityscapes, and down long, winding roads to discover the magical worlds that await them just outside their doors.

Award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller's lilting rhyme and bestselling illustrator Eliza Wheeler's enchanting, lush landscapes celebrate the possibilities that lie beyond the next bend in the road--the same road that will always lead you home again.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Poetry, Travel, Adventure, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2015

About the author

Pat Zietlow Miller knew she wanted to be a writer ever since her seventh-grade English teacher read her paper about square-dancing skirts out loud in class and said: “This is the first time anything a student has written has given me chills.” (Thanks, Mrs. Mueller! You rock!)

Pat started out as a newspaper reporter and wrote about everything from dartball and deer-hunting to diets and decoupage. Then, she joined an insurance company and edited its newsletter and magazine.

Now, she writes insurance information by day and children’s books by night. She has 11 picture books available and 12 more that will be coming out in the next few years.

Her books in print are: SOPHIE’S SQUASH, WHEREVER YOU GO, SHARING THE BREAD, THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE, SOPHIE'S SQUASH GO TO SCHOOL, WIDE-AWAKE BEAR, LORETTA'S GIFT, BE KIND, REMARKABLY YOU, MY BROTHER THE DUCK and WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE.

Pat has one wonderful husband, two delightful daughters and two pampered cats. She doesn’t watch much TV, but she does love "Chopped." Pat lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

The text is a pretty pedestrian Oh, the Places You'll Go! knockoff, but the pictures are good, sometimes taking on a Where's Waldo dimension as they become very greatly detailed.

[Alice Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The drawings are gorgeous. The story is inspiring.

[Naomi Saucke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made my mom cry. I think we’ll be reading it again.

[Kaj Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik heb een hartstochtelijke hekel aan alle literatuur die ook maar enigszins raakt aan Paulo Coelho en diens semi-spirituele zendelingendrang. Jezelf terugvinden in den vreemde, volg je hart en de rest komt later wel. Het doet me allemaal wat te veel denken aan tante Kee uit Klazinaveen, die op sociale media de monotonie van het alledaagse doorbreekt met inspirerende teksten uit boeken die ze nooit las. De dictatuur van het ingeblikte geluk. Gelukkig is mijn neefje van vijf nog geen zure cynicus en zag hij in 'Volg je Hart' (2016) echt alleen een fietsend konijn. En geef hem eens ongelijk? Het boekje heeft mooie sfeerplaten, met één schitterende paginagrote afbeelding waarop konijnemans terugkijkt op de weg die hij reeds aflegde en de avonturen die hij toen beleefde. Het heeft wat veel tekst en had iets compacter en duidelijker gekund voor de jonge doelgroep.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is still early yet in the year for award nominations, but "Wherever You Go" is on my list for a possible Caldecott award. This book is simply lovely, both the beautiful illustrations and touching message. Eliza Wheeler's drawings (done in ink, watercolors and gouache - not digital) are detailed, yet soft and gentle. There is sooo much to look at on every page! (Can you find the hedgehog on stilts at the carnival? And where is the rabbit and his bike on the page about the bay?) Children will enjoy the sweet, rhyming story. Adults will see a deeper message: Life can be an amazing journey, but we will always have a yearning for home.

[Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moms review: how dare a children’s book make me cry like this. Honestly this is the cutest book I’ve read in a LONG time. The story so perfectly matches our families love for adventure and travel but perfectly sums it up with the road to home and I just 🥹

[Loleeee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story went over my head but I liked the rhyming!

[Shaghayegh.l3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

متن انگلیسیش شعرمانند بود و من با شعر اصلا میونه‌ی خوبی ندارم. پس برگشتم به همون ترجمه‌ی خط به خط متن کره‌ایش که تو یه کی‍‌دراما دیده بودم و جذبم کرده بود.

[Stefani Sloma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous illustrations and a wonderful story of adventure and exploration.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and quiet, rhyming text. A bit on the long side but I think this has potential for a quiet/bedtime storytime or a travel themed one.

[Lorellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful read, truly capturing that sense of wanderlust. The illustrations are just gorgeous. Tot is still a little young for it, but it's a sturdy board book for her to hold and she very much enjoyed looking at the pictures.

[Leslie Maughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous illustrations! Love this book. Sweet rhymes. I feel like I could spend hours with the pictures.

[Emily Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a wonderful book to use in places of the typical "Oh the Places." Roads can take you everywhere and anywhere. Roads will return, merge, bend, wait, and more.

[Laina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little book with beautiful art. Like a modern "Oh, The Places You'll Go."

[Ariel Lovewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concept/story and illustrations are so so lovely! Close to being canon, but the chosen words can be a bit clunky and ruin the flow esp for a children's book.

[Veronica Manthei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Themes: Roads, adventure, travel, modes of travel, making new friends

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Show of hands... how many know Dr. Seuss's annual bestseller, OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO? It is classic Seuss in every respect, and is a perennial NYT bestseller during the spring season of graduations, leaving-for-college (or camp), or even beginning a new job. It appeals to the youngest in rollicking verse and colorful images, but the undeniable truth is that the message it contains resonates as much or more with those transitioning and facing new challenges.
I've "gifted" to more people than I can count.
Then WHEREVER YOU GO released and my advance order copies showed up in my mailbox.
This brilliant new picture book release with words by Pat Zietlow Miller and art by Eliza Wheeler has nudged my old favorite aside. Miller's minimal but fluid text spins across the pages like the hum of bicycle wheels, rising and falling, twisting and turning the reader on a journey of possibilities. It glows, it gleams, it promises both unexpected surprises and familiar comforts.
Wheeler's illustrations achieve the magic of scaffolding, elevating, and enhancing that text with similarly fluid grace. Her details carry countless "subplots" throughout while never distracting from the central character's magical experiences.
It's already a favorite and a genuine "keeper".

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This adventure story seems more suitable for adults than the intended audience: children who will never have to journey alone on the roads well travelled by refugees, often without their parents. And what a strange landscape. So many of the illustrations seem foreboding, as if the trees are aflame and the rivers run with blood. Even the return home is fraught with questions rather than a sense of relief. Replace all but two “roads” with the word “refugees” and this strange tale and its dissonant illustrations make much more sense.

[Allie]

Wherever You Go by Pat Zietlow Miller would make a really delightful kid-philosophical addition to a transportation storytime. The rhyming text explores all the literal and figurative aspects of roads and travel, while following a bunny and owl as they travel the world and return home. The illustrations by Eliza Wheeler are also really special -- incredibly rich drawings in ink and watercolor.

Absolutely lovely.

[Bari · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sweet story that is more appropriate for children setting off to college than for young children of read aloud/picture book age.

Recently, I used this story as a read aloud for a children's story time ages 18m - 3 years. The adults enjoyed it more than the children. That is the only reason for the 2 stars.

[L.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful children’s books I’ve ever read. I want my 18-month-old to learn early to view life as a multi-faceted opportunity, which this book does so well. Even as an adult, I was touched when reading this book.

With other books my daughter points and comments on things, but with this one she mostly listens intently. She wants it read again and again: “Go, go, go!”

[Liza Nahas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my new gift choice for graduations & life changing moments. Sweet rhymes & cute illustrations!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming story with lovely detailed illustrations. The rabbit sets off to explore and learn. Miller uses roads as connectors and paths and maps to adventures and growth.

[Evianrei · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic little book I stumbled upon! I had never read anything by this author, or seen anything by this illustrator. I just happened to be in a store, be in a hurry and grab this for my three month old son.

The story theme is perfect as my husband and I love to travel and hope to take our little one(s) one day. The rhyming is pretty spot on and I love the cute little descriptions for traveling. I think the only spot that was a bit rough to read was the page starting 'Roads Grow...'. I stumbled over this one rhyme, maybe because it lacked a comma for pausing. Maybe the rhyme there was a bit of a stretch. But otherwise if rhymed fairly well.

I do think however that Eliza Wheerler's illustrations carry this book a long way, I wonder if this book would have been as charming without her whimsical illustrations. They are a bit busy for a 3 month old currently, but my son still enjoyed looking at the colorful pages, and I may re-visit this review once he is a bit older. I think all the little details may catch his attention for a while since there is so much to look at!

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this before, but this is my first review. Wherever You Go is a delightful marriage of words and pictures which improves with every reading. At first glance, the story might seem flimsy, but the spot-on rhyme and the engaging illustrations lead you effortlessly through the pages to the end—which is exactly the point of the book. Taken apart from the picture book format, the text might be a speech to a graduating senior. (In fact I think that may have been the inspiration) But layered inside are words about roads and structure and action verbs and adventure. Each word is perfectly chosen. It takes a truly talented illustrator to invent the pictorial journey in Wherever You Go from those spare words. Yet she crafts an additional narrative about a traveling rabbit and those he meets along the way, about discovering the diversity in the world and letting it become a part of you. In the best traditions of Dr. Seuss and Richard Scarry, Eliza Wheeler plunges us into her world—and never overpowers the lyrical words and message of the text. I true "must-have" for every bookshelf.

[Sarah Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wherever You Go by Pat Zietlow Miller is an all-time favorite of mine. I have had this picture book on my bookshelf in my classroom long before I had my own child. While it is intended for three to eight year olds, I think the message in this story is excellent for any age. This board book gives children the tools to imagine where a road could take you in life. It gives them the ability to explore the world around them and to remember they can always go home. I believe this books plot is an inspiring adventure that can open the eyes of children to learn about the world. The pictures are easy to follow and help explore different places. I am a big fan of rhyming and these pages are beautifully written. I think the vocabulary is great for young readers to learn new words. I would use this book in my classroom when discussing the end of the year or graduation. I normally work with children who are about to start kindergarten and I think this is great book to lead into the opportunities they will have in life.

[Lynsaroo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now is the time when, ready or not, 🐇 you leave the nest in search of your next adventure. You may not realize but the path you choose is just as vital to your journey as the destination you have in mind. All alone or with companions by your side, down a well-trodden wood 🌳 path or to a bustling 🌃 city there are sites to see and things to learn. Be sure to ⛵️follow your heart, be open to change, and 🏔 exert yourself. Wherever You Go is the perfect reminder that someday, if you've had your fill of exploration and adventure, your first home will always be waiting for you with open arms.

What a wonderful metaphor for this stage of life. This is one of the many books I adore by Zietlow Miller. She has a true talent for words. The sketched paintings are scenic and imaginative. This book would make the perfect graduation gift for a young adult 🚲 heading out or contemplating their next step.

Find us on Instagram: @3BittyBookworms

[Elizabeth Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book about traveling. A rabbit gets on his bike and goes on a journey. he goes far across the world. There is always an option to stay of go. There are many different places to go. The moral of the story is that wherever you go you will know when you’ve reached home, you can always take your path back home to where you started but adventure is out there. This book would be good to read with lids who are afraid of traveling or have an interest in it. This is a gorgeous story of adventure and exploration.
The illustrations were really beautiful and well done. Warm colors fill each page, bringing life to places the bunny travels. They are drawn using dip pens, India ink, and watercolors. Each page is filled with a huge amount of detail, leaving many small things to find in each picture like tiny buildings and animals.

[Morgan Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

With diction simple enough for a young toddler and a message that penetrates my own heart, I would recommend this book to anyone searching for their place in life (as well as to anyone wanting a good read for a child). "Wherever You Go" both encourages imaginative adventures and suggests that we should follow our heart in life. At one point, Miller writes "Which path should you choose? That's easy to see. The one that will take you where you wish to be." At a point of crossroads in my own life, I found the message of this book to be reassuring that everything will be okay in the end. Also, the watercolored illustrations are winsome and fairytale-like.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roads give you chances to seek and explore. Want an adventure?
Just open your door.


Join an adventurous rabbit and his animal friends as they journey over steep mountain peaks, through bustling cityscapes, and down long, winding roads to discover the magical worlds that await them just outside their doors.

Award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller's lilting rhyme and bestselling illustrator Eliza Wheeler's enchanting, lush landscapes celebrate the possibilities that lie beyond the next bend in the road--the same road that will always lead you home again.