Review Detail

What if, when Alice emerged from the rabbit hole, everything she thought she knew about the world had changed? What if trees were now sentient, mobile creatures that feasted on unwary birds? What if sow bugs were as large as hippos, and communicated telepathically? What if she was twice as lost on the surface as she had been when she was wandering in Wonderland?

The Search For Wondla, a beautifully illustrated science-fiction/fantasy story by Tony DiTerlizzi is about a girl called Eva Nine who has lived her entire life in a safe, cozy underground home, surrounded by images of Earth, its landscapes and creatures. Growing up with only a gentle robot called Mutha for company, Eva dreams of meeting other humans. She hopes one day to go up top and see the world for herself. That day comes, but abruptly, terrifyingly, when her home comes under attack, and she is forced to run for her life across a bizarre, new world.

The world Tony DiTerlizzi has created in these pages is remarkable in its inventiveness, and his beautiful Oz-like drawings reveal its wonders and its threats in fine detail. There is even an accompanying website that allows the reader to unlock a three-dimensional map of Evas world.

Yet even without this fun, interactive element, the story does a marvelous job of drawing the reader into this wonderland of an alien world. More than a simple adventure story, Evas journey is as much about her discovering her own strength, resilience and courage, as it is her seeking for community and safety.