Painterly wooden megaphone spilling tangled gold and teal ribbons on a pale surface. — Original artwork

A slavish concern for the composition of words is the sign of a bankrupt intellect, roared the Humbug, waving his cane furiously.

Norton Juster

Painterly cracked rose-tinted glasses beside wilted clover on muted pink. — Original artwork

But that's just as bad, protested Milo. "You mean just as good," corrected the Humbug. "Things which are equally bad are also equally good. Try to look at the bright side of things."

Norton Juster

Small glass teardrop vial lying beside a shallow silver water dish, stopper and few water droplets on slate — Original artwork

“Don’t say it,” ghasped the dog, and Milo could see a tear well up in his eye. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” said Milo, not meaning to hurt his feelings.

Norton Juster

A wooden gavel and a pale pearl rest on a mauve cushion. — Original artwork

Good, said the judge, rapping his gavel three times. "I always have trouble remembering the long ones. How about 'I am'? That's the shortest sentence I know."

Norton Juster

I never knew words could be so confusing, Milo said to Tock as he bent down to scratch the dog's ear. "Only when you use a lot to say a little," answered Tock. Milo thought this was quite the wisest thing he'd heard all day.

Norton Juster

A partly opened brown paper gift box tied with string spills small golden confetti discs on warm yellow ground. — Original artwork

Of course, if you've ever gotten a surprise package, you can imagine how puzzled and excited Milo was; and if you've never gotten one, pay close attention, because someday you might.

Norton Juster

A small gold paper crown on the rim of a blue-and-white plate holding a single green pea, with a fork beside it. — Original artwork

“SILENCE,” suggested the King. “Now, young man, what can you do to entertain us? Sing songs? Tell stories? Compose sonnets? Juggle plates? Do tumbling tricks? Which is it?” “I can’t do any of those things,” admitted Milo. “What an ordinary little boy,” commented the king.

Norton Juster

Blank paper speech bubbles hang by fine threads from crossed wooden bars against a muted plum background. — Original artwork

Why, my cabinet members can do all sorts of things. The duke here can make mountains out of molehills. The minister splits hairs. The count makes hay while the sun shines. The earl leaves no stone unturned. And the undersecretary, he finished ominously, "hangs by a thread."

Norton Juster