Phantom Tollbooth Guide

Lesson 1: Getting Ready to Read

A Note for Parents

The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster, is one of the best books I've ever read, and I read it after I'd been teaching for 15 years! I can't believe that I had missed such a classic up until then! Don't let your child make the same mistake. Enjoy this book with her - it is one you will both always remember!

Perhaps the best thing about The Phantom Tollbooth is its delicious word-play! When I first read it, the elegance of the words, and the many hidden meanings, puns, and plays on words just tickled me to the point of often bursting out laughing - and it still has that effect even today.

There are, of course, many words that might be considered for a vocabulary list for this book, but more important are the word concepts that are demonstrated. Synonyms, antonyms, idioms, puns, cliches, multiple meaning words are all "taught" through the story, and making a comprehensive list would be exhaustive.

As you read through this story with your child, keep an eye out for those great "teachable moments" with words.

Throughout this course, there will be many times when your child will be asked to discuss an idea or a concept with you. Take time to help you child with this story - you'll be glad you did.

  1  2  3  4  5