Get Ready to Read 'Phantom Tollbooth'

"The Phantom Tollbooth," a children's adventure novel published in 1961, is the first book chosen for the Decatur citywide reading initiative.

Krista Gilliam of announced the choice Saturday afternoon on the children's stage at

The novel, written by Norton Juster and illustrated by Jules Feiffer, tells the story of a boy who unexpectedly receives a magic tollbooth that transports him to the Kingdom of Wisdom, where he has many adventures. The book features wordplay and many puns.

The Little Shop of Stories has worked on the reading project, called On The Same Page, with the festival, the Decatur Education Foundation and the Decatur Rotary Club on the project.

Another book will be picked yearly at the festival. Children and families around Decatur are urged to read the book together, Gilliam said.

"Our goal is for 2,000 people to read this book this fall," she said.