Customer Reviews

The Phantom Tollbooth 50th Anniversary Edition

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For those of us who grew up with battered and much-read copies of The Phantom Tollbooth, and who will never think the same way again about phrases like "jumping to conclusions," "half baked ideas," or "spelling bees," it's time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this delightful book. The unforgettable adventures of Milo as he travels to the Land Beyond (in a car that "goes without saying") are being re-released in a beautiful hardback edition. The wonderful pen and ink sketches of Jules Feiffer still dot the landscape of the book, and a new foreword by the author tells the story of how this book came to be.

Adults for whom this book transports them back to childhood will particularly appreciate the wonderful collection of "celebrations" of The Phantom Tollbooth that appear at the end of the book. Some are written by respected children's authors, one is by a professor at Harvard Law School, another by a retired 5th grade teacher. Pulitzer prize winner Michael Chabon explores the importance of Mr. Juster's "acts of punmenship;" Maria Nikolajeva speaks of the crucial influence of this book on her life under the Soviet regime; Pat Scales reminds us to "Never underestimate the intelligence of children." Mo Willems opens his comments thus, "I have the great fortune to enjoy a regular occasional lunch with Mr. Norton Juster. Trust me, you need a great fortune to have lunch with Norton, because he never picks up the tab."

Fifty years after its original printing, this book is just as fresh and delightful as ever. Its word plays are just as surprising, its encouragement of curiosity and warning against ignorance just as pertinent. Whether you're starting into your fifteenth reading of this book or are one of the lucky readers picking it up for the first time, you're in for a treat.

My son introduced me to this book many years ago. I've read it several times and have enjoyed it every time. It is wonderfully entertaining. I've read parts of it to my students, and I've encouraged them to check it out for themselves.

Can't believe I had never read this before. Not completely finished but this book has something for everyone, young and old. This is imagination at it's best.

We read this book to our children about 25 years ago, and have read it to many other children since. It's a favorite with all, and each time one reads it, one gets more out of it. Our old paperback copies were worn out. I ordered three copies of this 50th anniversary edition as Christmas gifts for my wife and our daughter and son. It was a hit with all.

So just to be clear...delivery was great, it was a new item in perfect condition, that's not the problem. This product was/is marketed as a 50th Anniversary Edition so, if you're like me, you kind of expect something more than a clear plastic cover over the book with a couple of pictures of the author and the illustrator...so stupid...the book itself though, for anyone who does not know is fabulous, just don't waste your money on this edition. Get the paperback for $6 instead.