Phantom Tollbooth 1969 Review

I had this book read to me in 4th grade. I rediscovered it as an adult. I read it to my husband who enjoyed it as much as I. The pages sparkel with wit and word plays from the very beginning with a host of wonderful characters.

It starts with a package delivered to Milo. It is large for a small package and small for a large one and is for no special occasion. It contains 1 tollbooth with assorted precautionary signs,to be used in a precautionary manor,coins and a map.

Thus begins an adventure, a romp through make believe with a watch dog named tick who can only tock, a spelling bee who s-p-e-l-l-s-  e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g,and a humbug. 

 The lands of AZAZ where they grow letters and words on trees in orchards, and the kingdom of the mathemagician where they mine # like gems are the first destinations,only reached after navigating out of the doldrums and off the mysterious island of conclusions. You arrive there by jumping of course. A stint in jail with a which  (no not a witch,) and assorted other fun  challenges preceed Milo's setting off to  rescue the princesses Sweet Rhyme and Pure Reason.  Nothing has gone right in the land since Rhyme and Reason were banished for failing to decree that # or letters were the most important.

 Many adventures later, and after meeting, the boy who grows down( he starts out at the height he will be and grows till his feet meet the ground), the orchestra which plays time and color,the monster Awful Din and many others, the princesses are finally rescued and order restored. All in time for Milo not to be late for dinner.

Then the magical tollbooth disappears for another child to have an adventure.