An architect by training, Juster was best known as an author of children's books, notably The Phantom Tollbooth (1961) and The Dot and the Line (1963).
Tollbooth is a children's fantasy adventure about a bored young boy named Milo. After unexpectedly receiving a magic tollbooth and, having nothing better to do, Milo drives through it in his toy car, transporting him to the Kingdom of Wisdom. There, he acquired two faithful companions, a dog named tock and the humbug, and tried to restore to the kingdom its exiled princesses — named Rhyme and Reason — from the Castle in the Air.
The book, with illustrations by Jules Feiffer, remains acknowledged as a classic of children's literature.
1 comment:
That is sad to hear. I have a few of Norton Juster's books in my collection. I bought a 1st edition of The Phantom Tollbooth many years ago after looking for a copy for a few years. It is a book that has never been easy to find in a First edition, but in more recent years the 1st edition has become rather expensive. I think I picked up my copy for less than $30 with postage. I always wanted to get my copy signed, but that will never happen now. A wonderful classic that was reissued in an anniversary edition several years ago. I was able to buy a copy of that anniversary edition signed by author and illustrator. A book that may not be to all tastes, but I wanted it enough to search for it for years before finding a copy.
Post a Comment