As many of you know, I love children's literature and I make a point of reading it often.
Today, on my ~2 hour plane ride, I reread from cover to cover "The Search for Delicious" by Natalie Babbitt (also famous for "Tuck Everlasting").
The story starts with a silly argument when the Prime Minister of kingdom decides to make an example-based dictionary and no one can agree on the same definition for "Delicious" The King believes that delicious is a good apple while the Queen believes that it is Christmas Pudding. And soon everyone in the castle is arguing so the Prime Minister's Special Assistant, a boy named Gaylen, is sent to poll the different villages of the kingdom. But in truth, there is much more underneath what appears to be a simple silly argument.
The story contains a little bit for everyone. There's a good deal of humor, but also insight. It has fantasy in it, but through this perspective is added about cycles of history of humans. Self-discovery is explored as is concept of belief in things we cannot see. Also, the poll itself leads the readers to consider the question as well: what is delicious? What is really important?
It's a short book, but the themes are well presented and clearly. One thing I appreciate about children's literature is that it doesn't beat around the bush. The book has ideas and they are given in a way that can be understood by anyone.
I'm glad I've reread this book and I'm sure I'll continue to reread it again in the future. It's worth it.
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