published in 1961, written by Norton Juster
and illustrated by Jules Feiffer
. It tells the story of a bored young boy named Milo who unexpectedly receives a magic tollbooth
one afternoon and, having nothing better to do, decides to drive through it in his toy car. The tollbooth transports him to a land called the Kingdom of Wisdom. There he acquires two faithful companions, has many adventures, and goes on a quest to rescue the princesses of the kingdom, Princess Rhyme and Princess Reason.
It seems to me that almost everything is a waste of time.
Whether or not you find your own way, you're bound to find some way. If you happen to find my way, please return it, as it was lost years ago. I imagine by now it's quite rusty.
There are no wrong roads to anywhere.
Well, since you got here by not thinking, it seems reasonable to expect that, in order to get out, you must start thinking.
Expect everything, I always say, and the unexpected never happens.
Why not? That's a good reason for almost anything - a bit used perhaps, but still quite serviceable.
The way you see things depends a great deal on where you look at them from.
There is much worth noticing that often escapes the eye.
If you want sense, you'll have to make it yourself.
Many of the things which can never be, often are.