― Colin Meloy, Wildwood
Who: Prue McKeel, age 12. Curtis, her friend. Two children able to cross the border that protects Wildwood from the Outside. Once inside Wildwood they meet bandits, talking animals (and humans), tree worshiping mystics, and more.
Written by: Collin Meloy, singer/songwriter for the band the Decembrists
Illustrated by: Carson Ellis, Collin's wife and illustrator of several other children's books
What: Adventure. Magic. Mystery. A battle between good and evil, where the lines are not always clear. Ancient, mystical trees that give magic and power to the forest. An underground world full of twists and turns - not to mention an army of blind moles. An industrialist obsessed with figuring out the secret to entering the Impassable Wilderness, even if it means using orphans for child labor. A governess turned mad at the death of her son bent on destroying the entire world in her crazed fury. Wildwood, Under Wildwood, and Wildwood Imperium make up the Wildwood Chronicles - for now.
When: Modern day with a twist. Wildwood seems to run on another timeline entirely separate from the outside world, but understanding this timeline only comes from experience within the forest.
Where: The line between fantasy and reality are blurred as the story moves between modern day Portland and the timeless I.W., or Impassable Wilderness. Not just a dense forest, the Impassable Wilderness contains a magical world of South Wood, the Avian Principality, North Wood, and the dangerous Wildwood.
Why: Read this series for a good adventure. Enjoy the whimsical illustrations, the detailed maps, the quirky but like-able characters. Obviously good is going to triumph in the end, but the journey is well worth the read.
Great for children and tweens, but also enjoyable for adults. I often felt as though the book was inspired by bedtime stories for the creators' sons, which might be true, showing potential for a great read aloud.
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