ESCAPE LANDS

I stumbled across this map. Which is serving as a background image or as I like to call it-an escape. It serves well. Although I started reading from an early age, I never came across children's books. Now I am even wondering why, and see no answer floating anywhere. Probably I should ask Mom, because she was the one standing behind me when I was choosing books from the shelf saying 'That one is not for you, it is for adults, you wouldn't understand. How about this one? I liked it, it is fun.' By this process over and over again, the choices of books where falling in my lap. Back to the map, when I saw it first I was a bit sad not knowing what is what and where, the geography, the history, the story and the characters from each land. So I deliberately decided to do my research as a twenty year old. And here is comes. Enjoy.

• OZ. The land from L. Frank Baum's head which he rather confusingly (for a 8/10)years old explained in 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' book. As any land and monarchy, Oz has a West/East/South and North sides and rulers. Inbetween there are all kinds of Winged Monkeys and creatures alike that Little Dorothy with her dog Toto comes across and befriends with some too. Apart from Dorothy, her pat and many creatures that children had probably nightmares of, there is an actual Wizard of Oz. Just an old block that by unknown means came somewhere there in a hot balloon. Spooky! Anywho, the whole story goes how Dorothy wants to go home to a real world, Kansas city, overcoming the obstacles along the way, only to realize that all of it was in vain! Dumb kid!

• NARNIA. A story or a land where for a kid symbolically, good fights the evil and at the end wins, with the last summation going something like 'happily ever after.' Kids being magically transported to this wonderful green land by means of a wardrobe are summoned by the huge lion, asked to help to fight the evil queen. One of the kids is hot. One of the important characteristics of a character in a children's book, and his name is none the other but Prince Caspian. In this land, magic is common, animals talk and there is James McAvoy, very important link between book and the movie. And they say 'Don't judge a book by it's movie'! Nonetheless, my kids will read this one.

• THE MIDDLE EARTH. Actually, I got this books for my 19th birthday or something like that, started reading, but too many of creatures and names and more names, and riddles and equations and and, I did not have a pen and a paper next to me when was reading and just confused as if I was reading a Physics A Level book. But what I know is. This is the land coming from J.R.R. Tolkien's pen. Where wizards, Goblins, Orlando Blooms, Liv Taylers, small people with extremely large feet, trees walking and talking, ring and 'my precious' are trying to restore peace. Probably, if it did not come out at the same time as Harry Potter, would be my favorite.

• WONDERLAND. If it wasn't for Johnny Depp, I wouldn't see it. I never liked the story, and don't know why. And Alice, as a name, sounds a bit sluty, no? A weird girl, falls in a rabbit whole, landing without a scratch. Drinks a poison, becomes little and goes off to meet a floating, talking cat with a horrifying smile. When you summon all the dubiousness of the land, it doesn't seem as Wonderland to me no more. The creatures that tick me off the most are the card soldiers, I just want to do something mean to them. I do not like the story!

• TERABITHIA. Must admit that never heard about the story. But after reading the plot, i liked it instantly. Might as well read it. The land is an imagination of two lonely friends, taking its stand in the woods near their houses. To access the kingdom, where Jess is the king and Leslie the queen, is by a swinging robe over a creek. In their land, they can overcome real-life fears and be happy. When one day Leslie goes alone to Terabithia, the robe breaks, she falls into a creek and drawns. Overcame by grief, her parents decide to leave the place and allow Jess to take anything from their house. Permitted, he builds a bridge in memorial to Leslie. Grieving alone in Terabithia, his favorite sister joins him. There he asks to become a queen of the land and she agrees. Although no body can replace Leslie, Terabithia must have a queen. It's beautiful! :)

• MOOMIN VALLEY. Moomintroll, Sniff, Snufkin, Hobgoblin's Hat, Moomin family, Muscart gets scared, Island of Hattifatteneres, Moominhouse transformed, Moominmamma, cook the huge Mameluke, Thingumy, King's ruby stole from Groke. After a court case. Oh my dear God! The only thing I understood of it all, is a name Bob, cook, huge and court case! Can somebody explain what is going on?! And this is supposed to be for children!!!!!! AAAAh, I'm confused!

• THRA. The only thing I found of this land, is that it was created by Jim Hanson and the land is surround by three suns. The Great Sun, The Rose Sun and The Dying Sun. This, itself, could be an inspiration for you campers, to write your erotic novel for children :)

• HYRULE is the setting for 'The Legend Of Zelda' series. The land is created by three goddess. When their job was done on deciding the rules and forces of the nature in this mysterious land, they departure to the heavens. Living behind three gold triangles containing all they powers and therefore becoming Triforce. On and on and on, I do not know anything about the story, honestly, never heard about. Am I that uneducated or can be forgiven?!

• And now I have to go do something else. Will give you the Volume II of the 'Escape Lands' tomorrow. Stayed tuned. Kisses