"We arrive at a room full of soft, cozy cushions.
By the time I slip under a warm blanket, Her
Royal Muddiness is already snoring.
"YOU'RE SCARED!" the Boogers tease.
'YOU'RE SCARED TO GO HOME!"
They're right. I want to stay here so I don't
have to tell Shen how I threw the keys down
the manhole, or that I get angry because he
ignores me, or how hurt I feel inside. And
the more I try not to think about it, the
angrier I get."
Big brother Shen and Yuki are not fast friends. In fact, Shen gets quite annoyed when Yuki's anger causes her to scream and stomp around. On this day, while walking home from school with Shen ignoring her, Yuki throws their house keys down a manhole. Immediately regretting her actions, she climbs down a long and rickety ladder into the streets below the city.
Fearful over what she has done, she is surprised to meet a creature made of mud who introduces herself as Her Muddy Majesty of Muck. Yuki is encouraged to follow her. As they explore, they walk through the Wicked Woods where if you've been bad, there is nothing to worry about. Smelly little creatures called Boogers taunt Yuki; their job, it turns out, is to make Yuki feel even worse than she already does. In fact, they are even mean to themselves. Yuki, in turn, teases Her Majesty who grows bigger as Yuki gets more horrible.
They approach Lake Youbegone, and both jump in. Underwater, they see many attention-grabbing creatures before climbing a set of stairs that lead to the Museum of Cast-Away Things. Her Majesty explains their reason for being where they are:
"When people get angry, they take it out on things they love."
To her great surprise, Yuki finds Shen's yellow dog, a sign that he has also been where she is now. On they go to the Grumporium, a room filled with edible anger. Yuki is offered a taste of one of them. She likes it! Suddenly covered with mud and very concerned, the two move on to the Relax Room; where Yuki admits she is afraid to go home and confess to Shen how she is feeling.
She is about to drift off when Shen pulls on her arm. Unsure what to say to his sister, he remains silent until the Boogers tease him and he is able to open up. The two begin to leave, causing Her Majesty to cry in despair. Yuki turns back with sympathetic eyes, a warm hug and a promise to return for a play. As a result, her new friend gets smaller and smaller until all that is left are a few twigs and some mud.
Covered in mud, Shen and Yuki their way up and onto the street. Shen's extra keys let them into their apartment in time to have a shower and make themselves presentable before their parents get home. A final underground view warms the hearts of all readers.
Inventive and endearing, this modern fairy tale uses wondrous art, moving language, gentle humor, and reassurring advice about family and emotions to spark tender feelings and change. I remain in awe of Ms. Alemagna's exceptional storytelling and her incredible artistic talent.
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