The magical land of Wuzz is a place that exists only in the realm of imagination and fantasy. It is a place where anything is possible and where dreams come to life. In Wuzz, the sky is perpetually blue, and the sun always shines warmly upon its inhabitants. The landscape of Wuzz is breathtakingly beautiful, with rolling hills covered in vibrant green grass and colorful wildflowers. Majestic mountains soar high into the sky, their peaks dusted with snow even in the warmest of seasons. Crystal-clear rivers wind their way through the land, offering refreshment and tranquility to all who visit.
Princess Shmarity made reply, “‘Tis the perfect gift, greater than any treasure, O Garbunkle the Magician, not on account of its worth, but because it came from thy heart.” She joyed and fell upon the dragon’s neck and bussed him. “Come and be my special somepony!”
After animated specials, a feature-length film and animated television series like the wildly popular My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic, our magical unicorns are now a worldwide phenomenon. Princess Shmarity made reply, Tis the perfect gift, greater than any treasure, O Garbunkle the Magician, not on account of its worth, but because it came from thy heart.
Crystal-clear rivers wind their way through the land, offering refreshment and tranquility to all who visit. The creatures that inhabit Wuzz are beyond imagination. There are fairies with delicate wings, flitting from flower to flower and spreading their magical dust.
Is Was
Deborah Freedman’s Is Was showcases a patch of land over the course of one day and invites readers to note changes — minute and grand-scale, immediate and more abstract — from the moment a songbird announces daybreak to the moment the sun fades at day’s end.
Deborah Freedman’s Is Was showcases a patch of land over the course of one day and invites readers to note changes — minute and grand-scale, immediate and more abstract — from the moment a songbird announces daybreak to the moment the sun fades at day’s end. Freedman calls attention to where we are, both in the book’s liminal space and in our more literal position as readers holding a book, and to the fact that we bring ourselves into both of those spaces, which have undoubtedly been seen and touched by an endless rotation of moments that came before.
Through expanses of quiet and bits of tension, readers familiarize themselves with recurring characters — a yellow warbler, a chipmunk, a bumblebee, a fox, a child — and acclimate to each of their trajectories. We feel the unbridled joy of the warbler as it rollicks in a puddle, post-downpour. Our hearts thump alongside the chipmunk as it scurries to (narrowly) escape a hawk. The whole book seems a nod to that pestering question about a certain tree falling in a certain forest: in Is Was, the sound is undeniable. Readers are called to hear the metaphorical tree as its trunk cracks, bends, slides through the air, and hits the ground, and the presence of these tangible changes, and of our witnessing them, adds to the book’s power.
In terms of medium, Freedman’s tried and true watercolors with pencil illuminate the tension between permanence and impermanence, with pencil lines firmly holding their ground against a backdrop of ever-changing sky, which starts blue then bleeds gray before clearing again and, ultimately, exploding in crimson. While the jacket proper serves as a vessel containing the day’s full expanse, the boards underneath are a magical moment of serenity; we can still spot, if we look closely, the chipmunk and spider web, but everything else is blanketed in the indigo light of nightfall and resting under a sky full of stars. As we open the book, the bright blue endpapers orient us toward morning, and we’re ready for the warbler as it soars across a musical staff in the morning light of the title page.
The full bleeds are fully immersive. Even the watercolor clouds in the book’s frontmatter are a lesson in impermanence, as they travel over the second half of the title page spread and effect change before the book’s text even begins. And of the text: it’s spare, and placement on the page is key. An "is" personifies to become an aggressive stream of rain; "was" reflects in the ensuing puddle to remind us where it originated. A variation — "WUZZ IZZZ WUZZ" — follows in the wake of a bumblebee traversing a patch of sunflowers. Ellipses abound, pulling us through page-turns, and periods after single words on double-page spreads require us to pause and breathe.
Although so much of Is Was is ephemeral, there are expansive moments of quiet that ask readers to stop and question small details that suggest something much larger. We see the moon only once as the book draws to a close, but its dappled light almost gives the impression that we’re looking at planet Earth — a powerful image as two figures curl up together and gaze upward. A few pages prior, the text itself asks us to “listen . the Earth’s heart beats . " Evocative illustrations and a sparely written narrative allow readers, especially young ones, the opportunity to connect with small, ubiquitous details of everyday life while leaving space to float into questions that have no simple answers. “Blue is. Blue was.” This feels like two unfinished sentences.
Freedman’s Is Was works to break through the haze and minutiae of everyday life and is a welcome reminder that we are here together, despite what was, and that tomorrow a songbird, somewhere, will announce daybreak, and the world will pulse with life and the inescapable rhythm that we are all a part of.
[Read the Horn Book Magazine review of Is Was here.]
When morning morrowed, the trio betook themselves to a town to replenish their victual for they were all anhungry and in want of food. ‘Twas here they designed to sojourn until day-dawn. ‘Twas Hearts and Hooves Day and the ponies in the kingdom, as was their wont upon this day, bestowed gifts upon the one they fancied, a symbol of their love for one another. As they went about the square, the trio heard tell from a merchant in passing that the Princess was fraught with distress for she had nary a pony with whom to spend Hearts and Hooves Day.
Unicorns roam freely, their gleaming white coats shimmering in the sunlight. Dragons soar through the skies, breathing fire and displaying their awe-inspiring power. The residents of Wuzz live in harmony and joy. They are a friendly and welcoming bunch, always ready to share a smile and lend a helping hand. Their homes are cozy and inviting, made of materials found in nature and adorned with beautiful decorations that reflect their vibrant personalities. Magic is an everyday occurrence in Wuzz. Spells are cast to create magnificent displays of color and light in the sky, while potions are brewed to heal the sick and rejuvenate the weary. The air is filled with the whispers of enchantments and the warm laughter of those who possess special abilities. In Wuzz, adventure awaits at every turn. Hidden caves and secret passageways lead to undiscovered wonders, while mysterious forests hold ancient secrets waiting to be uncovered. The land is teeming with magic and mystery, and those who explore its depths are forever transformed by the experience. The magic of Wuzz extends beyond its borders, touching the hearts and minds of those who believe. It is a place where dreams come true and where imagination knows no bounds. Despite its fantastical nature, the lessons learned in Wuzz are rooted in truth and can be applied to the real world. In the magical land of Wuzz, anything is possible. It is a place where the extraordinary becomes ordinary and where the mundane is left behind. It is a place to let go of worries and embrace the wonder of the unknown. Whether seen through the eyes of a child or experienced through the imagination of an adult, Wuzz is a land that captivates and inspires all who enter its enchanting realm..
Reviews for "Wandering Through Wuzz: A Journey of Discovery"
- Sarah - 2/5 stars - I found "The magical land of Wuzz" to be incredibly boring. The plot was predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and didn't feel invested in their journey. The writing style was lackluster and lacked any excitement or depth. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for an engaging fantasy read.
- Michael - 1/5 stars - I absolutely hated "The magical land of Wuzz". The world-building was poorly done and I couldn't wrap my head around the different magical elements. The plot was confusing and didn't make sense to me. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow and I found myself struggling to stay interested. The characters were forgettable and there was no emotional connection between them. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this book.
- Emily - 2/5 stars - "The magical land of Wuzz" didn't live up to the hype for me. The story felt forced and the dialogue was cheesy. The writing lacked depth and the descriptions were bland. I also didn't enjoy the overall tone of the book, which felt too juvenile for my taste. While the concept had potential, the execution fell flat. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to others.