This little gem was recommended on one of the read-aloud-revival podcasts and I am so glad I took the time to read it!
Like Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and the Green Ember series, this story has more going on than what is obvious. And don't I love it when I run into a story like that? You will too.
Can you and your friends agree on what is delicious? There is a discussion in the book of what is delicious on its most basic level, and wouldn't you know it that people just don't agree! And it needs to be added to the dictionary. Thus begins the search for what is delicious for everyone...
Gaylen, the King's messenger, a skinny boy of twelve, is off to poll the kingdom, traveling from town to farmstead to town on his horse, Marrow. At first it is merely a question of disagreement at the royal castle over which food should stand for Delicious in the new dictionary. But soon it seems that the search for Delicious had better succeed if civil war is to be avoided.
Gaylen's quest leads him to the woldweller, a wise, 900-year-old creature who lives alone at the precise center of the forest; to Canto, the minstrel who sings him an old song about a mermaid child and who gives him a peculiar good-luck charm; to the underground domain of the dwarfs; and finally to Ardis who might save the kingdom from havoc.
This really is a worthy read for the child in all of us! An adventure, a quest, a lesson learned, and a homecoming! It really is a beautiful book!
And out of curiosity, what foods do you consider delicious? ;)