COCO AND THE KINGDOM OF TIME: A TALE OF FINDING JOY IN EVERY MOMENT

Abstract

CoCo and the Kingdom of Time: The Story of Finding Happiness in Every Moment was a literary review of CoCo and the Lost Phoenix, a young adult novel by "Wongwila," the pen name of Pharavichewa Phanthusri. The novel conveys Zen Buddhist philosophical ideas through the journey of "CoCo," a courageous girl searching for her beloved phoenix friend, "Mumu." The story serves as an inner journey toward discovering happiness in the present moment. Throughout the journey, CoCo encounters characters and events that reflect the concepts of letting go of the past and freeing oneself from the anxiety of the future. This review analyzes literary elements such as the creation of scenes in both the real world and the imaginary realm, where symbols are used to convey ideas about the relationship between nature and humanity. It also interprets the characters and plot, which reflect spiritual growth and the understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. The review further highlights the value of the novel in terms of youth development, emphasizing the importance of accepting the present moment and living with mindfulness. These lessons can be applied to daily life. Moreover, the story of CoCo and Mumu is not only a tale for young readers but also holds significance as a work of literature that adults can read to seek answers about the meaning of life.