The Search for Delicious

When I was in 2nd grade the librarian recommended this book to me and I loved it then, I must have read it 10-15 times. Fast forward to me having a kid of my own and I had to get this to read it to him. And we are both loving it. For context, we'd already read the Hobbit together which another gem of children's literature. Together with this book I'm pretty sure you have the two best children's novels ever written for the ages 5-8 range. Natalie Babbitt is criminally unknown as an author. She had so many great novels that hold up to this day: this book, the Devil's Storybook, Tuck Everlasting, and others. I'm amazed that Roald Dahl for example is so much better known than her, but his writings don't hold up nearly as well, especially considering his flirtation with antisemitism, racism, and misogyny. You won't find any of that nonsense in Babbitt's writings either which hold so much insightful wisdom and joy of life while not dumbing down or avoiding complex subject matter. This is the perfect novel for reading to young kids. You have a great story full of satire, wit, wonder, wisdom, and adventure that isn't some cookie-cutter by the numbers fantasy novel.

I love Natalie Babbit, first of all--she's an excellent writer--but she seems to get very little of her deserved recognition!This is a perfect "off the beaten path" book that not many people have heard about or read, especially for young kids who are getting into high fantasy. It shows a very balanced, trusting, and loving relationship between a man and his adopted son, which I find to be somewhat rare in the realm of fiction. The man (if I'm remembering correctly) simply never married but still wanted a son, so if there's aces in the house, they might appreciate that aspect of it. :) There are dwarves and mermaids and magic; it honestly makes me think of CS Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia in the way that there is a real sense of wonder and magic in the world (and the world is so cute and neatly done, very interesting).However, that doesn't mean the world is perfect, devoid of problems, or free of darkness. People in The Search for Delicious are rude and mean and sometimes even cruel (and not only the antagonist)--yet people are also sweet and kind and sometimes even extraordinary. It's slightly reminiscent of origin fables in the premise / setting, which is always fun, and the story itself is well-executed and delightful. The book itself isn't terribly long and I would think the ease of reading it (though there are a few higher-difficulty words speckled throughout) would encourage younger readers.I'd absolutely recommend this book to you if you have children who are looking for some Narnia-esque reading (of a similar difficulty level), if you have a child you'd like to read a bedtime story to (over the course of a few nights or weeks, depending on your kiddo's staying-awake power), or if you yourself are looking for something fairly light, sweet, or genuinely unique. I've read it three times by myself and I know I'll read it again.

I was given a copy of The Search For Delicious many years ago by a very special person, my sweet mother in law! She always called me honey! She was sharp, she never gave away the secret to the book. So I kept it secret as my young children laid on the floor listening to me read this old old story! As they got more interested in the story they wanted to see pictures so I let them but it did not give away the secret! So on I read....This book is fabulous to spark your youngsters into reading books on their own especially if you read to them. Eventually they learned the secret and this book is still their most favorite books from their childhood! And what you ask was the secret to delicious? You gotta buy the book! I will never tell!Amazon delivered my copy for my far off grandchildren via Kindle! I never want to lose this story again! Thank you Amazon for putting this old book in Kindle version! Our family won't lose this cute book! Awesome book with fast delivery!

I came to ‘Tuck Everlasting’ just recently. ‘The Search for Delicious’ is my second read. Uncanny how her writing makes me feel: like I just finished a Loren Eiseley book. Whispers of the transcendent.

This book was a childhood favorite of mine. I recently read it again and found it to be just as delightful and charming as an adult. The subject matter is wise and the story exceptionally well written, as you’d expect from an author as brilliant and gifted asNatalie Babbitt. Five stars all the way.

I grew up reading this story, and loving how it takes a simple idea, like a prime minister trying to create a dictionary, and causing a rift in a small nation that brings the country to the brink of civil war. The storytelling is incredible, the narration is immersive and engaging, and the inclusion of the character Ardis brings a wonderful magic to the characters that remains one of my most favorite stories of all time.J. Delzer is the author of the Buccaneer of Nemaris book series.

This a book I read multiple times as a 5th and 6th grader. I wanted to read it again because it had a big impact on me way back then. I'm not very far in re-reading the book because I don't have as much time to read these days.

This is a great book for kids! You've got adventure, a search for delicious, a mermaid, a war, and more.This is also a great book for adults if they slow down and enjoy everything this writer has to offer. It's delicious from the appetizer (start) all the way to dessert (finish)!

Lovely story, moving and beautiful. I read it as a child and it was a fine adventure for a young lad; reading it again as an adult I see it as an exploration of the human spirit in general and growing up in particular. Gaylen's decision over whether to try and live among the mythical creatures - although they wouldn't accept him - or return to the human world is a heart-breaking decision we must all face over leaving the world of fantasy and fairy tale and entering the adult world.

I read this story as a child and was happy to find another copy - its a lovely simple but imaginative story that children will love

This is such a wonderful story. I read it when I was little and reading it as an adult was just as magical

The bad guy is really bad and the good guys keep trying to do what they have to Even though sometimes they felt there was no point.

A short but sweet book, it chimed with me perfectly. A lovely fantasy about the lost stories of the world, and how words really do matter