THE LAND OF EXPRESSION by Mutiya and David Vision

There are some wonderful lessons to be learned in this rather uniquely crafted and written book; food for thought for both the young reader and I might add, older one also! This is one of those children’s books which will cause you to stop and think. The overall message is strong and in this case laid out in a very logical and true manner.

In the Land of Expression everything is controlled, monitored, accepted, not accepted and regulated by color. As the book tells us “It seemed like all of the colors worked together in order to create reality.” But did they? (Note: Just a tip…at this point the reader needs to take a very close look at the brilliant colors used to illustrate this book! Note the shades, highlights and blends) Is “reality” for those who cannot see, and those who do not understand really reality? Well, we find out when the color black shows up! Oh my! All of the other colors scatter and run. They are fearful! There is something different! The story tells us that black was so distinctive, that the other colors did not know how to blend with him! They were fearful and I might add a bit hysterical…mindless, mindless, and mindless!

Things do not go well for the color of black after this initial shock. He is feared, he is rejected, and he becomes to doubt his own self-worth. On some level black becomes to believe some of the horrid things the other colors are saying about him. Black found he was completely alone with nowhere to go; a complete outcast. This was a sad, sad state of affairs!

But then the Mother-Father Creator looked down and saw how badly black was being mistreated and because they had created black with all of the other colors, simply removed him to a better place.

Through word and absolutely wonderful illustrations which are expertly executed, the other colors of the world, and indeed the reader of this book, begin to realize just what happens if the color of black is removed. It is not a very pretty sight I am here to tell you! Now not being one to throw in spoilers into his reviews, I will stop here. Rest assured though that many people, i.e. colors in this case, quickly realize what they have done and the Creators take appropriate measures to set things right again.

The message of this story is quite strong and quite obvious, I feared too much so when I began reading this work, but the authors and artist have been able to make their point without getting into your face or being preachy and gushy. I liked that. Of course having dabbled a bit in color myself, I fully understand what would happen to my pallet without black. The reader has only to look at any great work of art to realize this and children, being much brighter than we give them credit for, will realize the same.

Of course the author’s have used this as a vehicle to make a wonderful and rightful point. It is a small step to transfer this concept of color, or absence of color, to race, culture, ethnicity and society in general and specifically.

America is beyond a doubt one of the most powerful countries in history. Very few cultures have come as far as we have. It is an exciting place to live. Think of our food, clothing, literature, music, art, inventiveness, and on and on. There is a reason for this strength. We are one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse countries in history; coincidence? I don’t think so. Imagine if you will a country without this diversity, and there are a few out there…I know, I have seen them…boring, boring, boring! I had to laugh when I read this work. I am an old white guy. Can you imagine a country made up of just old white guys? Blah…dull, dull, dull! Until just a few years ago, if that state of being existed here, we would have had to change the name of our entire country to “Congress.” Yuk.

This is one of the most interesting children’s books I have read in quite some time now. A teacher or parent could and should be able to get a lot of mileage out of this one. The author’s are obviously natural story tellers and are able to articulate their stories perfectly through the written word. They and the illustrator are in perfect harmony with their message. The art work in this little book is absolutely brilliant!

This one should be on the shelf of ever school library and on the shelf on any thoughtful child. I do highly recommend it.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks