“The most important reason for going from one place to another is to see what’s in between.”

-Norton Juster

One of the MOST dog-eared books on my shelf, and the only piece of children’s literature that I reread on the regular. Everything about this book is so clever, and not in the insufferable way–in the way that makes you want to learn more, so you can be just as clever someday.

Who wouldn’t want to rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason? Who hasn’t wondered what their words would taste like if they had to eat them? Who hasn’t thought about how long it would take to move every grain of sand in the world from one place to another?

Milo is a young boy with far too much ennui for his age…but sometimes, as a kid, you do have those feelings. I have a vivid memory of a day when, an hour or so before my bedtime, I put myself to bed because I was just bored. This was so distressing to me at the time that I still recall it over fifteen years later. Just because kids can’t name a feeling doesn’t mean they can’t have it!

Throughout the book, Milo encounters situations that confuse and challenge him, and neither he nor the narrative are afraid to admit that. He makes friends, has mishaps, and returns home with a better appreciation of just how interesting life is. He starts jaded–absolutely an emotion a child can have–and comes to realize that sometimes you just need to stop and look around to realize what kinds of interesting things there are in the world–a very adult perspective.

I’ve bought this book for baby showers before–seriously, I can’t say enough about how fun and emotionally validating it can be. The movie is a delightful trip, as well…but maybe save that for the older kids, as it packs in a lot in a short time!