To the people of planet Yipsmix, words have tastes, numbers have distinct personalities, and emotions have color and shape. Jaq Rollop, who lives on Yipsmix with his mother and grandfather, is having a particularly hard time. His next-door neighbors are bullies, his family’s crops are dying, and his mom is making him sell his beloved pet so they can buy food. Things go from bad to worse when Jaq is tricked into trading his pet for a useless old key. His mom is furious, and Jaq feels gloomier than a 38, which everyone knows is a very sad number.

But then something strange happens. It turns out the seemingly worthless key contains a hidden map … and it leads Jaq through a wormhole to a terrifying and magical land. A land full of riches, overwhelming sensations, and giants. The name of this mysterious place? Earth.