I do think this is the greatest children’s book (no exaggeration). I read obsessively as a child, but this is one book that I have never forgotten. I remember his adventures, his impressions, his loneliness, his curiosity – and as an adult I now see how European children classics have small and large meanings embedded in them, because I love it for other reasons now. I also watched the cartoon growing up, and it equals the book in my opinion. I am already planning on buying this book for my little niece, who will not be born until Spring 2008!