The Phantom Tollbooth - Norton Juster
I've just read The Phantom Tollbooth with my son. What a great book. How did I not know about this when I was younger? Probably best for those aged 9 - 10 and older to read independantly. Lots of puns and phrases that younger readers will miss. I thought it was a great adventure story for those who also love language. King Azzazz (who rules Dictionopolis - the land where words are important) and the Mathemagician (who rules Digitopolis - the land of numbers) are great characters along with all the others - Tock the watchdog, the Spelling Bee and the Keeper of Sounds. My favourite - the short, impatient police officer: Officer Shrift (yes, that's right, Short Shrift)

I just loved The Phantom Tollbooth as a kid, and re-read it so many times. There was something so whimsical about the drawings too. I was very pleased when I picked up a more recent edition for my daughter and found that they kept the original illustrations. Sooze it's true what you say about the language being so rich with puns (I know! I know!) and clever references to language and numbers. I'm sure I didn't get half of the names etc until I was older. (OK last year).

I have actually read this - but am at a complete loss as to what it was about. I do remember enjoying it. :lol:

A young, pre-occupied, bored with life boy comes home to find a 'play' tollbooth has appeared in his room along with a book of directions/rules and some change for the booth. He jumps in his toy car, drives past the booth and finds himself in a fanatasy world. Lots of plays on words - people literally 'jumping' to conclusions, eating a square meal (a plate full of squares) and so on. I'm already looking forward to reading it again, because I think that it is the kind of book where you would pick up something new each time.