Imagination: the world where anything can happen, most especially in the mind of a child. But what would happen if imagination disappeared? What would happen to the world of dreams? The world of fiction? The world in general?

Mashu is recruited by Big Tulie to restore his image in the dreams of children. Without that image, the world of dreams and the world of Big Tulie will cease to exist. Mashu, along with his friend Cassi and his trusty old teddy bear, Softy, embark on an adventure through many planes of reality and fantasy in their quest to restore the image of Big Tulie. Aiding them in their quest are hundreds of smaller creatures known as Little Tulies, childlike creatures that love to play and have fun, no matter what is going on around them. They have a logic that is sometimes ridiculous and, every now and then, profound.

Much thought had to have gone into the writing of this young adult novel. Example: The only way to get to the land where Big Tulie resides is through a big yellow bus. Mashu, Cassi, and the little Tulies have to enter the bus from the back door and when they emerge from the front door, they are in the land of Big Tulie. At one point, when they go to another planet where everything is backward and are trying to get back home, they encounter a large submarine. After some logical (?) thinking, they determine they can get back home through the submarine. Sub backward is Bus. Go in the front door, come out the back and viola', Mashu, Cassi and the group are back in the land of Big Tulie.

While the story seems to be one an average eight to ten year old would enjoy, some of the words used are more appropriate for the older teen. Mr. Davies has woven a cleaver story that was enjoyable once I was able to settle the age issue.

Time would pass as Mashu and Cassi secretly retained their memory of the adventure. They had restored the image of Big Tulie to its rightful place in the world of dreams. This was now the time of happiness. But the whirlwind of the red lands still broods and sulks about the past. It was plotting evil in all the dimensions of space. The many worlds of dreams and imagination could never rest. Perhaps one day Mashu and Cassi will need your help in fighting this force.

That, however, is a story for another time.

With these closing remarks, Mashu and the Mystery of the Missing Image seems to be only the beginning of the adventure.

Reviewed By MargeAnna Conrad
© March 2006