Reviewer: Teresa Hughes for:
Resource Links: Connecting classrooms, libraries and Canadian learning resources
December 2006, Volume 12, Number 2

This is quite an unusual book. It was a challenge to write a review. I don't think this book would be appreciated at the younger grades. The vocabulary is very complex and the storyline is very unique in that it all takes place at the subatomic level of the universe.

Color photons called "Pioneers" travel through the universe in order to add colour, vibrancy, uniqueness and spirit to emerging humanity on Earth. The cosmos begins with a 'boom' or a 'cosmic breath' and the story begins with 'Humankind swimming within its currents to the beat of the cosmic breath.' The Pioneers quest is to create mind maps for the 'expansion of the consciousness'. There are many universal principals and particles that are involved in this journey. "Alte Atom, Petky Proton, Elcy Electron, Neppy Neutron, Dudey Dust, Greppy Graviton and GrandPa GammaRay who is the 'conductor' of this cosmic journey of colour enhancement and enlightenment. Even the colour Pioneers themselves have unique names such as: Regeta Red, Yegerte Yellow, Orenga Orange, Veteko Violet, Illepio Indigo, Betern Blue and Gerpy Green. The Pioneers (with GrandPa's help) are able to navigate their way through the cosmos in order to play an integral part in the development of awareness or 'sentience' in the first human form. The 'Wiggly Wickochettes' do their best to stop them from this course and lead them away from colour and light, but they do not succeed. In the end, Humankind becomes self sufficient with the Pioneers safely ensconced and reverberating in our central nervous system.

This book includes includes very imaginative and creative illustrations of the unique players in this 'cosmic emergence' journey. There is both poetry and rhyme:

Once within a time-space continuum, eons before perception,
When time stood still, rose the birth of cosmic conception.
Each moment free-will choice is birthed new,
Light, the universal worldly realms of you.

(P. 102)

If you are interested in a fantasy journey of how life, human sentience and free will are brought to a desolate, barren but emerging Earth via the efforts of space travelers - the colour Pioneers - then this is the book for you. It would fit well in a fantasy section of an intermediate or secondary school library.

Thematic Links: Fantasy