The
Phantom Tollbooth
The first chapter begins: ‘There was once a boy named Milo who didn’t know what to do with himself – not just sometimes, but always.
When he was in school he longed to be out, and when he was out he longed to be in. On the way he thought about coming home, and coming home he thought about going. Wherever he was he wished he was somewhere else, and when he got there he wondered why he’d bothered. Nothing really interested him – least of all the things that should have.’
On returning from school one day he discovers that a mysterious exceptionally large parcel has been delivered to his bedroom. Unwrapping it he finds a magical tollbooth which he must assemble.
There are signs and rules and coins for paying tolls and a beautifully detailed map, showing places Milo has never heard of. Deciding he has nothing better to do with his time he gets into his toy car and begins his journey through the Kingdom of Wisdom.
There is much wordplay and many puns. For example, Tock the Watchdog literally has a clock in his body and can fly, because, of course, time flies. The Island of Conclusions is reached by jumping. There is a vehicle that goes without saying and the two princesses, Rhyme and Reason, have been banished from the kingdom so that confusion reigns.
'Oh, we're just the average family, . . . mother ,father and 2.58 children - and, as I explained, I'm the .58.'
Although this is a book primarily written for children, there is much in it to amuse adults.
Norton Juster (1929-2021) was an American architect and writer, His friend Jules Feiffer (1929-2025), drew the illustrations for The Phantom Tollbooth.
I think we could all learn a lot from rereading some so-called children's books.
ReplyDeleteIt's like some of the good television programmes aimed at children - there's often a subtext, a nod to the adults in the room.
DeleteI have never read this book. I will have to look it up
ReplyDeleteIt's a good read. I've just bought a copy for my ten-year-old grandson.
DeleteThis sounds like a great book! I'll have to find a copy.
ReplyDeleteYou love words so I think would enjoy it.
DeleteHave ordered one, coming from the UK.
DeleteOoh, I hope you enjoy it - I shall feel guilty if you don't! 😟
DeleteThat sounds like a very amusing read - clever and witty.
ReplyDeleteIt is clever, with laugh out loud moments.
DeleteThat does sound like a fun book to read.
ReplyDeleteIt's great fun.
DeleteMilo’s journey through the Kingdom of Wisdom sounds like a delightful adventure filled with wit, imagination, and timeless lessons
ReplyDeleteIt is the sort of story that sparks the imagination.
DeleteThat opening passage perfectly captures the feeling of always wanting to be somewhere else. The wordplay and puns you mentioned are what make the book so magical—the Watchdog, the Island of Conclusions—it's such a creative and clever story. It's a true classic for anyone who has ever felt a little bored and in need of an adventure.
ReplyDeleteIt is fantasy, but gentle and intelligent.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun book....I need to purchase it for my great grands. Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteI hope they enjoy it.
DeleteSounds like a very odd story. I wonder if Norton Juster was on mind-bending drugs when he wrote it... though, I must say, I rather liked the opening lines.
ReplyDeleteIt's a journey through language, really.
DeleteSomehow I missed reading it as a young person, but will definitely check it out now.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was wonderful, but then I'm such a child.
DeleteI read and enjoyed this a few years ago - it got culled to a charity shop before we moved - now I'm wishing we'd kept it 😀
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
Aww, never mind!
DeleteI remember this book from my own children's childhoods and indeed it was great fun!
ReplyDeleteI can't remember how I came across it. It was while I was teaching nine-year-olds and it seemed appropriate for them.
DeleteThat sounds good. The title is very familiar but I don't remember my children having it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have it for my children.
DeleteSounds good
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteI never realized Norton Juster was American. I always thought this was a British book. I don't ever remember coming across it as a kid (maybe I just missed it) but I am familiar with it from the school library where I now work.
ReplyDeleteApart from the name of the author, I would have assumed this was a British book - don't know why, really.
DeleteThat's an interesting story. Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteI wasn't familiar with the book, but I'm loving the sound of the wordplay and puns, so I'll have a lookout for it. Thanks for the introductions Janice! xxx
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it if you find it.
DeleteWhat a cute story.
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteI enjoyed that x
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteNot a book I know but it sounds very good.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if i can get a copy from the library ... I may just enquire :)
All the best Jan
Maybe I've started a revival of interest . . . 😉
DeleteI think I read this to my children when they were younger. Good story
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteIt sounds clever and amusing.
ReplyDeleteI thought so.
DeleteWhen I was a teacher, I always enjoyed introducing children to this book!
ReplyDeleteI think I probably enjoyed it more than they did.
DeleteAh... straight to the top of my ' must re-read' pile. I wonder if I dare suggest it to the book club as a refreshing change from all the gut-wrenching Booker prize stuff they keep coming up with!
ReplyDeleteI do wonder how some of the prize-winning tomes were chosen, a bit like some of the music showcased on 'Loose Ends.' Horses for courses . . .
ReplyDelete