this is a wonderful book. my children are 10 and 12 and this book was one of their favorites when they were younger, and it still is one of mine. i was searching for it to purchase for friends of mine with 2 year olds and i was stunned to find it out of print. it is a quirky classic. the review in horn books calls the illustrations sub standard and the text flawed...so much for critics' opinions. i found the illustrations beautiful and the text ingenious and engaging.