MacGougan at Large

Notes on Children's Books for Grown-Ups - 4

The Phantom Tollbooth

This is a book I remember happily from my childhood. When I reread it a few years back, I was inspired to start a writing project that became a series of four books, currently being fitted out for illustrations by my multi-talented cousin, Stephen Morillo. 

The Phantom Tollbooth was written by Norton Juster, who went on to be a successful architect as well as an author. The wonderful illustrations were by a young Jules Feiffer. When it was released in 1961, many people said it wasn’t really a proper children’s book. Too many long words. Too much wordplay. Too many confusing paradoxes.

Somehow, though, it seems to work for a lot of people - kids and adults. I have a 2011 50th anniversary edition of the book that has an addendum full of famous writers telling how they were entertained and inspired by the book. This posting is my audition to be included in the 2036 75th anniversary edition.

The character of Tock, the watchdog, is one small example of the kind of wordplay and sight gags that runs through the book. Tock is literally a watch-dog, with the dial of a watch on his side and a stem on his back that he occasionally winds with a rear leg.

In the story, a boy named Milo starts off being bored by school and the world in general. As he encounters various mysteries, he becomes more engaged and curious. Eventually, he develops a love of learning that brings light and joy into his life.

In serious, grown-up literature, strong moral points can seem preachy and work against the enjoyability of a work. It seems more natural, though, for a children’s book to have an explicit message. 

I think The Phantom Tollbooth is the quintessential children’s book for grown-ups. It works for kids because the main protagonists are a boy and a dog, there are lots of fun illustrations, and there’s a clear moral to the story. At the same time, it works for grown-ups because the thing is stuffed full of Dad Jokes.