Yes, I read “The Phantom Tollbooth” as a child (and I am 2 years older than the book! and I LOVED it! I was perhaps ten years old at the time, and I remember it being such fun to read….Thanks for reviving this memory for me!

My first memories of “The Phantom Tollbooth” are from when I was about 8 or 9 years old. It’s the last book that my dad read aloud to me and my brother. My dad loves language and turning it on it’s ear. He’s also an engineer and loves the power of numbers.

I learned a lot in that book. I learned new words, like dodecahedron, and enjoyed even more the play of words. I laugh when anyone talks about “jumping to conclusions” or points of view.

I can’t wait until I can read this with my own son in a few more years. I still have a copy that I read every few years. I get something out of it every time I read it. I truly think that Juster understood what it’s like to be a kid and even my naming his hero Milo (my low) is turning language to good use.

Another author who uses language to her advantage and in sometimes subtle ways with her character names is J.K. Rowling. I really must laugh at some of her character names.

p.s. oh, I didn’t answer the second question….yes, I do think it was an eye-opener to the richness of my native tongue…I mean, that was part of the fun of it….discovering how fun our language can be!

Voy a buscar el libro ahora mismo.

What fun! I just finished reading this book (again). It is a great book, that can be read on many levels. On one level it’s just a funny story, but with careful reading, I start to understand more of the jokes and humor. The best children’s stories and videos are that way – cf. Sesame Street. I especially loved the taste of the letters; what does an e taste like? Eggy?

I read the Phantom Tollbooth a few years ago now (okay, maybe a bit more than that) for school and LOVED IT. It was such a unique approach on talking about real world facts, ideals, &c.

My brothers hated it, though, because of the whimsical and imaginary viewpoint of it all.

(But I loved it because of that). I would recommend that book to anybody – if anything else, it makes you laugh.

I have read and LOVE LOVE LOVE this book… i read it in 5th grade, and i literally laughed 89 per cent of the time. just read it.

Pretty interesting. I’d like to read The Phantom TollBooth!

I haven’t read it, but I’m going to now!

I read the book without groaning about cheesy puns

What a great book.

lol i am in class read comments but the frist one Ale jandro is speaking spanish i have a friend in class who speaks spanish.

what is The Phantom TollBooth. Yes I know the info is there but i don’t understand! TOO MANY BIG WORDS!! i will be back tomorrow , i want a brief explanation on this please and thank you

Norton Juster said that he did not write this as a children’s story. I recommend everyone read it (again) as an adult. You’d be surprised how well it illustrates the world you live in. I regularly meet people who “swim the Sea of Wisdom and come out dry”.

Absolutely fell in love with the book as a teaching tool. I have taught this book and all its wonderfully clever insights for at least the last ten years to my sixth grade students. I’m always finding more and more hidden treasure within its pages.

a gentle book, full of fluffy slumber.

I LOVE that book! So fun and interesting!

I heard about the Phantom Tollbooth for the first time about a month ago on NPR. Though, I’m way past my childhood, I’m putting it on my list.

OMG I LOVE THIS BOOK! I read it in 4th or 5th grade. @blank, it’s about this boy named Milo. He’s not interested in the world, as he thinks that everything is a waste of time. One day, he finds in his bedroom a mysterious tollbooth with a map. He assembles it and drives through in his toy car, and finds himself on a road to Expectations. He’s in the Kingdom of Wisdom. It has two capital cities, called Dictionopolis and Digitopolis. One kingdom favors words, while the other numbers. Two princesses, Rhyme and Reason, were banished because they thought that both were equally important. Milo goes on a quest to rescue the princesses and reunite the kingdom. It’s a great read and I highly recommend it!

I loved it. We read it for school in fifth grade (I think it was fifth…) and I absolutely loved it. This year (freshman year of college), my English teacher had us read “Haroun and the Sea of Stories”, and the only thing I could think of while I read it was that it reminded me of “The Phantom Tollbooth”, except that “The Phantom Tollbooth” was SO much better. On a different note, I’m excited to hear they’re making it into a movie in 2013! (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1632727/) I just hope they do a good job with it!

I LOVE the Phantom Tollbooth… I am reading it at school right now with a group of friends and my AWESOME librairian. This is a GREAT book that uses wordplay and humor in the story, and we are having lots of fun with it!!

absolutely the best children’s book! i have a copy that i got signed by norton juster himself! brilliant brilliant man. i’m still using it in my college classes!

to blank: read the book.

I remember the Phantom Tollbooth fondly, it’s the Lethargarians (sp?) I remember the best though. Excellent book : )

YES! I am so glad you guys brought this up. I kept trying to think of the name of this book because I remember reading it when I was 8 and enjoying it so much.

It’s a children’s book.

Was that brief enough? /facepalm

I read this book two years ago for the very first time in my grade 12 Writer’s Craft Class. I thought it pretty sad that I read it that late instead of grade 4 when this book used to be brought into the classroom, apparently the education system has changed so much to accommodate a child’s learning abilities now instead of teaching them to understand it. Children aren’t getting dumber, their minds just aren’t focused where they should be in school.

Hello, I wish I had read it in school but alas, I did not, I actually watched the film before I knew it was a book! I do not even remember how I ended up watching it, like if it was on TV or at the library, if my parents picked it out or I did.. but I still haven’t given the book a read! I probably won’t until I read it with my kids
I actually LOVE the FILM & five yeas ago I found it on ebay & bought the VHS! This is an extraordinary & magical film that all children should watch! I STILL enjoy watching it NOW, just like Alice in Wonderland- I’m in my 20s- & I wish this film was more accessible to the public. I do not believe it was ever transfered to a DVD format & it is seriously very hard to locate.. I truly & strongly suggest that someone convert this to DVD & make it available at libraries & stores! Why did it disappear in the first place?
I was excited to see The Phantom Tollbooth presented on this website & I really like the write-up, so it must mean something.. please respond to this post, how can we get this movie out there?!?!
peace

Super Good book. Some amusing puns like “out of Context” and the wordsnatcher bird. The Which and the Whether man were really funny. Alec Bings and the Djyn or however it is spelled is also very interesting. If you don’t get what I mean, you will once you read it.

My 4th grade teacher, Mr. Hinman, read this to us MANY years ago!! Such a great book, and a great experience. I’m off to buy this book to read again!!

I loved the Phantom Tollbooth…I recall Tock…and jumping to conclusions…such great memories as a child. And when an adult would use terms like “jumping to conclusions” all of a sudden I had these visuals that were wild, imaginative and wonderful.

The Phantom Tollbooth is one of my favorite books ever. Swimming in the Sea of Knowledge is a bit of wisdom (and lovely metaphor), so it certainly made me think of the world, and my life, in a new way. The word play is fantastic, and playful. So, yes, it did make me think in new ways, and is a book I highly recommend!

I grew up with both the book and the movie, and actually just a few days ago was considering getting both as gifts for my niece and nephews.

This book is really smart and witty .. and I love it!!!
I want to thank my school for making it as our book report =>

now i want to read it…

whats ur fav book of all time?

i cant decide…mine changes every 5 to 10 books!

maybe ptolemy’s gate.

the ending wasnt all cheers, the main character wins again with no sacrifice

Dear blank,
The language of this article isn’t really more difficult than anywhere else on the internet. Even if it was, Dictionary.com wouldn’t really be the place for brief explanations with small words. It’s rather condescending to demand someone give you a summery that you find more palpable (by tomorrow), even if you tack on a “please and thank you” on at the end. Even so, perhaps you will find this link useful. http://bit.ly/vJeOep

As far as The Phantom Tollbooth goes, I read it when I was rather young, and I have a really terrible memory. As such, while my memories of it are very positive, they’re also rather vague. It was definitely one of the books that contributed to my voracious love of books, though.

I LOVED this book as a child. it was easily my favorite. to this day i keep having to remind myself that i already have two copies every time i see it in barnes & noble. also, to “blank” who was the last commenter, i believe: the book is meant to be an enjoyable children’s story. the words you don’t know are there to be looked up and learned, rather than dismissed. it is a wonderful book that teaches children (and sometimes adults!) the beauty of our language and mathematics, and the fun in learning.

I read it a few years ago, and re-read it again when I re-found it… This is a truly awesome book, though I never got to read it in class! If you’re a kid, you’ll love it. If you’re an adult, I imagine you’ll still love it. If you’re a teen (like me) who thinks all childish things can only be childish, think again! Seriously, if you’ve not read it, you should.

Also, @ bartimaues djinn, yes, yes that was an awesome book. But re-read Phantom Tollbooth!

Loved the book as a child and have just recently introduced it to my 9 year old nephew, initially through the cartoon movie version, and then I also bought him the book. It does give you a whole new way of looking at words and numbers, and my nephew found it really exciting. He wanted to take it to his school to show it to his math and english teachers! My personal favorite part is when they encounter Kakofonous A. Dischord, Doctor Of Dissonance and the awful Dynne.

The first time i read this book was in fifth grade. i remember looking at it and thinking it was stupid,(it wasnt that long ago) but when i began to read milo was the only thing keeping me interested for the first couple of pages. but then slowly it started picking up and it kept me entertained. the Doldrums, making a “speech” and then eating your own words.literally. (haha) and even the humbug was pretty funny. what words i didnt understand i looked up because i wanted to get a better experience with the book, and looking back now i realized how much of a help it was. I have to admit the puns did what they were meant to do. i love this book

I was introduced to this book by one of my elementary teachers. He read it aloud to the class and I longed for reading time. It was such a joy that it led to my father reading me ‘A Wrinkle in Time’. Another fantastic children’s classic. A must read.

I read this book in my sixth grade English class, about seven years ago. I must say, this was probably the most fun I’ve ever had reading a book for school! I’ve always been an avid reader and amateur linguist, myself, but I thoroughly enjoyed the whimsy and fun and fantasy, as well as the way it sort of hid learning inside of that.

My favorite number is 17, because of TPT, and to this day I will still yell it out as an answer to someone’s question, for my own amusement -and to see if anyone else gets the reference!

Sadly, far too few people have…

I am reading this book in 4 grade right now. I am only on chapter twelve. Me and my friends think Dynn,the which and the weather man were very weird. Like the book a lot and hope I get it for Christmas.

I have only the warmest and fondest memories of having read this book when I was about ten, and have no doubt that it was one of the books of my childhood that planted in me the love of language and reading, and the inspiration to become a writer myself.

I read this book as a child (I was always very keen on reading as a child, as I am now) and loved the puns. It provides such wonderful visual cues to everyday expressions. I always loved “The Almighty Dyn” and his grandfather “The Great Rauw” – so clever! Also loved the idea of infinity. It’s a wonderful book for children as it turnes langauge on its head as well as being funny.

this book was amazing I am 12 and I read it last year I don’t think therea re many better children’s books out there it also teaches people to appreciate the art of language (I already used it but it helped me improve my skills) language is an amazing art which we should yield carefully.

This was my all-time favorite book when I was younger, and I couldn’t have put it better myself than how this article introduces it. Before I came to the part on how it is similar to Alice in Wonderland, I was thinking of how those two books inspired me to become the logophile I am today. So thank you very much for reminding me of such an important story and the role books play in my life and of the lives of fellow bibliophiles.

Agh, I barely remember it… probably because I was such a scatterbrained kid. But a lot of the various themes and plots mentioned rings a few bells.

I may be 21 now… but I’ll probably pick this book up again anyway.

After all, I’m a sucker for puns.

Dear Tina thank you for helping me you are a reall nice person

LOVE this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have read it almost 10 times, and I’m still not tired of it!

As a teacher, I read this book to my class every year. The book not only entertains, but also serves to spark the critical and creative thinking of every student who ever read it or heard it read to them.

Ha, I remember this book! I loved it so much! It’s nice that there are other people who like it as much as I do

The best book i ever read

I read the book when I was in 6th grade. It was just a couple of years old then. I bought a copy a few years ago, and now have a copy on my Kindle. It’s a dellight to reread. I’d recommend it to anyone of any age.

LOVE THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!

This is sitting next to me right now! I loved this book in elementary and feel its just as enjoyable now in Doldrums of grad school!

We acted out a couple scenes from it in elementary school. I like the part where they’re having the dinner AWESOME BOOK!!

I personally have never read The Phantom Toolbooth, but that line about the weather man really made me think of a line my grandpa always said.

“We’ll have weather whether we have weather or whether we don’t.”

This line used to make me groan as a kid, but now looking back it is a pretty witty pun.

I loved (and still do love) this book, it made me laugh almost the whole time I was reading it because it was so punny! (heh heh)

I remember the book quite well, even though we read it in 5th grade. that year, we also did “The Phantom Tollbooth” play as our 5th and 6th grade play. i remember the drama teacher telling us ” there are over 100 True meaning in this story. so when you read your line to see if there was something deeper.” When i looked, i actually found many hidden meanings. i played The Dodecahedron and The Demon Of Incencerity. both had very deep meanings to them. even now and then i watch our play on DVD and listen close to the meanings. Overall, it was an amazing book.

I THINK IF I JUST READ THIS BOOK I’LL EMPOWER MY ENGLISH TO REACH THE EXTENT OF A NATIVE ENGLISH ERUDITED GENIUS GENTELMAN. LOVE

I THINK IF I JUST READ THIS BOOK I’LL EMPOWER MY ENGLISH TO REACH THE EXTENT OF A NATIVE ENGLISH ERUDITED GENTELMAN. LOVE

On the main page, under the link to this blog post, it says “why dictionary’s love this book”. Shouldn’t Dictionary.com be able to write ‘dictionaries’ correctly?

On the thesaurus.com main site, this article is currently previewed with an apostrophe-for-a-plural error.

My mother made me read this on a vacation to Florida when I was about twelve and I missed most of the scenery on the trip due to the book. I read it three times on that trip and adored it because those puns and the wordplay was not only exactly my kind of humor but so cleverly done I wanted more adventures with Milo in the Lands Beyond; forget Florida!

I’m fifteen now and have read this book so many times I’ve lost count, way past twenty times. If anyone mentions the imprudence of jumping to conclusions I don’t hesitate to chime in with “it’s a long swim back!” I learned so many new words and concepts from those books and can now connect them with Milo’s travels: dull Doldrums, an awful DYNNE, Canby (who can be anything), Officer short Shrift, Faintly Macabre (the Not-So-Wicked Which), the lazy Lethargians, the average family, and thinking with an adult Point of View, which I’m finding particularly relevant now.

Even as I read this, never being a fan of math, I was always more of a Dictionopolis girl. However, the Mathemagician and his magic pencil and the Dodecahedron gave me a newfound respect for the subject. I can’t tell you how many math tests I imagined them by my side. And that’s not the only way this book has changed the way I look at the world. I’ve always been a lover of the whimsical and this book is its epitome. At thirteen I built myself a cardboard tollbooth to do my homework behind, imagining the princesses Rhyme and Reason would offer their wisdom to my assignments or that the Humbug would complain about the work with me or that loyal old Tock would be my watchdog in case any demons came along. Now that I know a bit more about the Lands Beyond my childhood tollbooth in our own world, I’ve come to recognize those demons, like that Ever-Present Wordsnatcher or the well-dressed Terrible Trivium, who did show up a lot on math assignment days. I’m going to keep Milo and the gang in mind if I’m ever faced with a situation involving the Senses Taker.

I can’t express how much I adore this book. I wrote a short, almost satirical story for a writing contest rather like this and Alice in Wonderland. When my mother said it reminded her of The Phantom Tollbooth, I considered it the highest compliment I would get. If you haven’t read this book, please do. Don’t cheat yourself by assuming it’s a children’s book, as that’s jumping to conclusions. And everyone knows that if you jump to Conclusions, it’s a long swim back.

I loved this book. I read it over and over, and gave it to others to read, too! There are so many clever puns and truths in it. Each character is enchanting in their way; I’m always sorry to reach the end of the story. But the beauty of books is that you can visit those worlds as often as you like!

My mom read “The Phantom Tollbooth” to me and my siblings when we were younger. I remember loving it! Reading this post has interested me in re-reading the book. The main thing I’ve always remembered was the Dodecahedron, the twelve faced man

I love the book and the movie. I first herd of it in my school in Literature class.

I read it over and over. And over. And over. I adore this book, especially ‘jumping to Conclusions.’ I love that part!

A “dictionary” site spells “dictionaries” as “dictionary’s”?

[...] ‘Phantom Tollbooth’ by Norton Juster — Never heard of it till now. — We guess that’s pretty obvious — being an idiot anyhow. — Maybe we’ll watch the movie. — Imagination be hanged. — Mayhap it could be a Video Game – Understanding Nothing, — Has Technology Changed perception or censorship and Blame? — And though we know there’s always a price — what would be the Point? — Again we never read the ‘Phantom Tollbooth’ –  Locked up spiritually and linguistically in some Catholic School Scatological Joint. — Where they taught us only Truth. –>>L.T.Rhyme This entry was posted in DICTCOMHOTWORD, L.T.Rhyme and tagged LT, LTRhyme, the HOT WORD by admin. Bookmark the permalink. [...]

Awesome book!!!
Still there are a whole bunch of other awesome books: The Call of the Wild, A Wrinkle in Time, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, The Inheritance Cycle, Warriors, Pendragon (note, most of these are my school books), The Harper Hall triology, The Twits, all books by Roald Dahly, etc. etc. Pretty much no books are lame (in their own way of course).

Wow! A Marvel of FANTASY!!!

This book has been in my family for a couple of years, and I did not get the chance to read it until a couple of years ago even though I was a little old for the overall story, I found it to have amazing personification and a wonderful use of words that I have yet to find in another book.
This book touched my heart, made me think, and warmed me through. I doubt I will ever forget it and give it to my futuristic children so that they may enjoy it as much as I have.

OH my gosh! THANK YOU SO MUCHHH! i remember it was the first book that i read but i wasn’t able to conceive the name thankyou soo much XD

I LOVE this book! I remember reading it the summer of 4th grade, (i’m in 7th grade now) and laughing at the puns! I re-read it a bit ago and i realized so many different things that I didnt notice before. This book is amazing for all ages!

Me too, I stumbled on this blog and can’t believe there are so many people like me who absolutely love this book! I’m in New Zealand. I loaned my hardcopy years ago and never got it back – but thank heavens I found a paperback copy in a second hand bookshop. I read it every few years. The illustrations I think are among the best of their kind – remind me of Edward Ardazone (prob wrong spelling) being so whimsical and detailed. Delightful to know the book is still available for Kindle etc, and that a movie might be made! I hope they stay true to it.

Loved this book. Still funny as hell, years later…

I read this a few years ago… I’m 13

I talk about this book all the time! It was my favorite growing up. I can see it now on my bookshelf in between Thoreau and Martin Fierro. I agree with Ron, it’s nice to recall in this time, especially going through the Doldrums (tee hee hee) of College.

I’ve not heard of the book, but have jsut added it to my wish list

I read this book as a child and continue to share it with and teach it to the more mature 4th/5th grade reader with whom you can add a layer of learning and intellect. Balance it with that classic “The Little Prince” for kids who think outside the box.

Yes, my friend gave me a copy during my college days. At first, I thought the book is childish, but after I finished it, wow, really two thumbs up!

I THINK IF I JUST READ THIS BOOK I’LL EMPOWER MY ENGLISH TO REACH THE EXTENT OF A NATIVE ENGLISH ERUDITED GENIUS GENTELMAN. LOVE

I LOVE this book!

I just discovered it a year ago, and I absolutely love the story.
Great work of Norton Juster!

It’s entertaining and with lots of lessons.

I highly recommend this book. ^^

I love when a memory jumps up and haunts you in a good way. I too recall seeing The Phantom Tollbooth in what feels like it was aeons ago. It was a clever work then and still holds up, but, my heart goes out to Piers Anthony, whose punny works united my love of paronomasia and high fantasy into one. Bless these authors both!

This book was just plain epic! I’ve read it twice, and I think the use of the language, made up and real was just a big success. Just LOVE IT!

I’m a 51 year old Australian, and I must have read this book at least every other year, since I first read it at the age of about 10, and most recently when I read it to my 12yo twin boys (one of whom is autistic, and loved it). It’s a brilliant book, amazingly witty, and with appeal to both children and adults. I can’t imagine ever growing tired of it. Maybe one day I’ll have the pleasure of reading it to grandchildren….

I read this book I loved it! I was a sixth grader at the time… It had so many wonderful puns in it!

Like Milo’s car, it goes without saying.

Now I know what I’ll be giving to my nieces, nephews, and neighbor’s kids this year for Christmas.

I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!! It has been my favorite since i was a little kid. I have been reding since i was three so that makes me about six or seven when i first read it.i am turning 14 now and it is still my favorite book to this day! Its just captivating. I love fictional fantasies such as this!

To be honest, I haven’t read it. But if you like puns, any of Piers Anthony’s Xanth books are a good read.

L-o-v-e that book

Since when is “journey” a verb?

Is this book a picture book?

i rented this from the libary when i was ten then bought it afterwards because i wanted to read it over and over again im still reading it and im 13

I read that book in the 6th grade man it was so wonderful

I hadn’t thought about “The Phantom Toolbooth” in 40 years, but today’s Hot Word brought back delightful memories of Milo, his toy car, Dictionopolis, Digitopolis, Rhyme, Reason, and all the rest. Thank you for a wonderful “blast from the past”!

whos home schooled

This is one of my favourite books of all time. I read it as a child and am sure that it’s entirely responsible for my love of language. I’ve bought it twice (I made the mistake of lending it out the first time) and have read it three or four times as an adult. I’m sure I’ll continue to revisit it as I get older.

Love, love, love this book!

Absolutely LOVE this book! Anyone with a love for language cannot help but be charmed by this funny and insightful tale. Thank you for highlighting this wonderful book.

jorney always was a verb

This book continues to be my favorite of all time! Read it when I was little, read it when I was old — the charm and hilariousness never faded! I would recommend it in a heartbeat to everyone!

This is my all-time, absolute favorite book, EVER! I have read it multiple times, and at age 51, I purchased the hardback anniversary edition, for me!! In my family, some of Juster’s phrases are a common part of our language. For instance, we often remind one another not to jump to conclusions, because it is a long swim back! If you haven’t read the book, what are you waiting for? If you have, read it again. This book is a jewel.

@Jeff: Meeeee!

‘Norton’ not ‘Norman’ !

“…it encourages kids think…” does this make sense? It looks like there’s a “to” missing beofre “kids”, but when I thought about it again I can see this sentence standing as it does, whether intended or not, as there is an implied “that” after “encourages”. Is that correct?

Also, I just coined “beofre” apparently, my new word for “before”!

shhh. because it goes without saying.

kool but i never read the book

I’ve always absolutely loved The Phantom Tollbooth, but another of Juster’s books is my all-time favorite. It’s a clever little book with a big title:

The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics

Check it out–I know you’ll love it, too!

Remember the island called Conclusions? Don’t jump to Conclusions! LOL I loved that book.

Just to be honest, I have only read this book once. I’ve enjoyed reading this with my teacher and classmates at school. As I started reading this book, I imagined what those characters looked like and how they acted based on what I read and the descriptions that Justin made about them…..
I think that this book is 5 starred book.

Sounds like a cool book I’ll read it to by 7-year-old kid brother; he’ll need to learn that kind of basic math and reading but with all the fun along with it.

After reading this post I was intrigued. I was just finishing the Alice in Wonderland books and thought this would be a good classic to continue with. I picked up a copy and devoured it. In my opinion the Phantom Tollbooth is better than Alice and I thank Dictionary.com for a very fulfilling read. The Phantom Tollbooth is a book I won’t easily forget and I recommend it to anyone who sometimes loses sight of the importance of learning and enjoys colourful characters and even more colourful scenes.

Sounds like an interesting read