The Lost Island of Imagination

    By Joe Desparado

    The Lost Island of Imagination cover image

    28 May, 2024

    a couple of people sitting on a bench in a room filled with books and bookshelves with a window, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Cyril Rolando, storybook illustration

    Alex and Zoe sat huddled together in the family's attic, surrounded by dusty old books. Rain pattered against the window, making the room feel like their own little world.

    a boy and a girl are standing in front of a bookcase full of books and looking at a book, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Cyril Rolando, rossdraws global illumination

    “Look at this one!” Alex exclaimed, pulling a large, leather-bound book from the shelf. It was covered in strange symbols and glittered in the dim light.

    a boy standing next to an owl in a forest with trees and leaves on the ground and a forest background, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, rossdraws global illumination

    Suddenly, they were standing in an enchanted forest. “Welcome, young adventurers!” said Whiskers, the wise old owl. “I am Whiskers, and you’ve arrived on the Lost Island of Imagination.”

    a couple of animals standing on top of a forest floor next to a forest filled with trees and leaves, furry art, poster art, Chris LaBrooy, key art

    Along the path, they met Sprout, a mischievous squirrel. “I know a shortcut to King Orion’s castle!” Sprout chattered. “Follow me!”

    a girl and a boy are standing in the woods with a unicorn on their back and a rainbow on their head, magical realism, a storybook illustration, Diego Gisbert Llorens, official art

    They stumbled upon a hidden grove where mythical creatures danced and played. “Wow, look at them!” Zoe exclaimed, pointing at a unicorn with a rainbow mane.

    two people are standing in the woods with a fox on their back and a turtle on their back,, furry art, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, official art

    But their journey wasn’t without obstacles. They encountered a riddle-posing fox, crossed a river on the backs of friendly turtles, and even had to outsmart a tricky goblin.

    a young girl standing next to a lion on a castle background with a full moon in the sky above her, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, comic cover art

    Finally, they arrived at King Orion’s castle. The castle was magnificent, with towering spires and walls that shimmered like gold.

    a lion and two children standing in front of a castle with a night sky background and stars in the sky, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Diego Gisbert Llorens, official art

    King Orion welcomed them warmly. “Alex and Zoe, you have shown great courage. To return home, you must believe in the power of your imagination.”

    a boy is petting a dog in a library with bookshelves and a clock on the wall, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, official art

    With a flick of his paw, King Orion revealed a glowing portal. “Step through this, and you will find yourselves back where you began.”

    two boys standing in a library with books on the shelves and a light hanging from the ceiling above them, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Cyril Rolando, official art

    Hand in hand, Alex and Zoe stepped into the portal. The world spun around them once more, and they found themselves back in the attic, the magical book lying open at their feet.

    two children are sitting at a table with a book in front of them and looking at the camera with a book in front of them, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Diego Gisbert Llorens, storybook illustration

    “That was incredible,” Zoe said, her face beaming with joy. “Yes, it was,” Alex agreed, picking up the book. “And now we know, the power of our imagination can take us anywhere.”

    two people standing in a library with books on shelves and a window in the background with a skylight, lyco art, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, official art

    From that day on, Alex and Zoe cherished their adventures and the bond they shared. The Lost Island of Imagination remained a vivid memory, a testament to the power of their imagination.

    The Lost Island of Imagination