Review by Peter Duncan
Wilomina: the Land of Dreams and Nightmares is a new children’s book by Scottish-based couple John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs, aka Metaphrog, although they are slowly dropping the latter name. It’s a perfect example of the good news about comics for kids that we often miss when looking at newsagents’ shelves.
John and Sandra have been producing award-winning and acclaimed books for children since 2000, attracting rave reviews from such diverse people as Julie Burchill in The Guardian, former Forbidden Planet International staffer Joe Gordon, and the French newspaper, Liberation. Reviews, and my own experience, show that like the best kids’ books, their work has always had much for adults to enjoy and think about.
Their trio of books, The Red Shoes and Other Tales, The Little Mermaid and the sublime Bluebeard, published between 2015 and 2017, adapted the work of Hans Christian Anderson for a modern audience, de-sanitising the stories; and presented the menace and beauty of the originals with what one reviewer described as, “a feminist twist’’
Two adventure graphic novels followed in 2023: Harris and Grace, a spooky story and Freya, a very Scottish story featuring clans and underwater monsters. They marked something of a change in style, now published under John and Sandra’s own names, they were new stories, not adaptations and with a tone that was more directly engaging with the reader, can perhaps be seen as rehearsals for the new book, Wilomina: The Land of Dreams and Nightmares.
Published by Scholastic at a size just slightly larger than a standard paperback, it’s a chunky, square-bound book of 272 full colour pages. The story is engaging from the start, and gently introduces Wilomina, as she travels to visit her mother in hospital with her dad and little brother. Things quickly take a turn as she finds herself separated from her family and speeding towards Nocturna, a land of dreams and nightmares, in a runaway and magical train, pursued by tentacle like clouds.
The journey that follows is surreal, spooky and thoughtfully written. Aimed at kids between eight and twelve, it resonates with some of the worst fears of childhood, a sick parent, separation from family and, to an extent the weight of responsibility some kids feel when they are told to “look after your wee brother”. Like the best children’s stories, it refuses to talk down to its readers, the fears it portrays are real, but not unmanageable. For some readers seeing a version of their own nightmares recognised and acknowledged, but faced down by Wilomina, will be comforting and validating.
As the book goes on, Wilomina searches for her family and a way back to her world. She meets an unreliable but charming companion, sisters who talk about the balance needed between nightmares and dreams and the most wonderful invention of all, “The Premonition Library’.
Wilomina and her friend, Mephisto, a talking cat, travel through Nocturna facing dragons, endless monster haunted oceans and puzzles that have to be solved. But most of all, Wilomina has to face the monster within, as she slowly turns into a werepig. An interesting theme for kids of this age as they face some big changes.
The advertising material describes the book in terms of kid’s films. Studio Ghibi movies are mentioned, My Neighbour Totoro and, a much better comparison in my view, the very frightening Spirited Away. Which brings me to the art.
Sandra Marrs, the French half of the creative team, embraces the surrealism and weirdness of the story, she is especially good at depicting horrible monsters and strange landscapes in a way that is not overwhelming and somehow seems “real”. The colour palette of the book, like many modern comics, is vibrant, but with dark blues, purples and dark greens setting the spooky atmosphere while never going too far into the horrific.
The Totoro and Spirited Away comparisons imply a Manga influence, and that might be there, but there is also something of the French bigfoot style, or at least that style as filtered through Manga as often featured in Spirou magazine today. But, overall, its dynamic, appealing and designed to serve the story being told.
This review was a difficult one to write. I’m fifty years older than the target audience, albeit someone who keeps an interest in children’s books, but when thinking of what comics I might compare Wilomina: The Land of Dreams and Nightmares to, I was stumped. The impact of this book isn’t like reading an issue of Beano, or a collection of strips from The Phoenix. It’s not even like picking up an Asterix or Lucky Luke album.
No, this feels like the “proper books” I loved as a kid. It’s a novel, a proper, substantial, children’s novel, just one told in comic form.
It feels like it’ll have the effect on kids that Narnia, the Moomins, and for a reason I can’t put it into words, The Phantom Tollbooth had on me.
Like those books, there are themes and ideas that are not usually present in books for kids. But John and Sandra never forget who their audience is, I’ve a notion that there will be a bunch of kids who read this and never forget it, in the same way I’ve never forgotten C S Lewis, Tove Janson and Norton Juster.
If this book is the future of comics for the 8-12 age group, then that future is in good hands.
Peter Duncan
Head downthetubes for…
Wilomina: The Land of Dreams and Nightmares is out on 13th August 2026 | Pre-order: https://linktr.ee/wilomina | Buy it from AmazonUK | Buy it from a Local Bookshop via bookshop.org (Affiliate Link)
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• John and Sandra have also shared reels of the making of Wilomina on Instagram @metaphrog_art and TikTok @metaphrog
Wilomina: The Land of Dreams and Nightmares Book Tour
John and Sandra are doing a Wilomina book tour around the UK! With three launches: Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, and also a school tour with indie bookshops. Here are the upcoming dates…
They love to share their passion for comics and regularly visit schools, libraries and festivals. Book them for an author visit. | Follow Metaphrog on Facebook for more information on upcoming dates
Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd September 2026
• Daydreams Bookshop, Unit 2, 38 Stewart St, Milngavie, Glasgow G62 6BY | Web: daydreamsbookshop.co.uk
Friday 11th September 2026
• Dollar, with the Wee Bookshop, 56 Bridge Street, Dollar, Clackmannanshire,
Scotland FK14 7DG | Website: weebookshop.co.uk
Saturday 12th September 2026
• Wilomina Book Launch 4.00 – 6.00pm La Belle Adventure, 225 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 8NX | Website: labelleadventure.com
Thursday 24th September 2026
• Wilomina: The Land of Dreams and Nightmares Launch Party with John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs 7.00pm, 24th September 2026, Gosh Comics 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR | Website: goshlondon.com | Blog | Launch event starts at 7.00pm
You can pre-order a signed copy of their new book right now, available for collection or mail-order, by clicking the link here | Keep up to date with all news on our Facebook event page
Thursday 24th and Friday 25th September 2026
• London, with London indie bookshops | Follow Metaphrog on Facebook for more information
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October 2026
• The Lakes International Comic Arts Festival, Kendal | Web: licaf.co.uk
Exhibitor and “Meet Metaphrog” Talk
Thursday 29th October 2026
• Books Alive! Festival, Southport Library, 112 Lord Street, Southport PR8 1DJ | Talk starts at 2.00pm | Web: cultureliverpool.co.uk/events/books-alive/
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November 2026
• Thought Bubble Comic Art Festival, comic workshop and panel, exhibitor | Web: thoughtbubblefestival.com
Find out more and request a school visit at metaphrog.com/author-visits
- About the Author
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Peter Duncan is editor of Sector 13, Belfast’s 2000AD fanzine and Splank! – an anthology of strips inspired by the Odhams titles, Wham!, Smash! and Pow! He’s also writer of Cthulhu Kids. Full details of his comics activities can be found at www.boxofrainmag.co.uk
Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Graphic Novels, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Reviews
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