What do Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, The Princess Diaries, and The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles have in common? If you said Julie Andrews, you'd be right! The same Julie Andrews, here Julie Andrews Edwards, whose music and movies I loved from the time I was a little girl, is the author of this delightful book.
Siblings Ben, Tom, and Lindy Potter make the acquaintance of Noble Prize winner Professor Savant by chance twice - first when they have a conversation him at the zoo about an unusual animal, and secondly when Lindy accepts a dare and unknowingly knocks on the door of his creepy looking house on Halloween night. The professor invites them in, and the children ask more about the Whangdoodle that he had spoken of a few days earlier.
The Whangdoodle is the king of Whangdoodleland. He was considered the wisest, most generous, and most endearing of all creatures. Many Whangdoodles used to live all over the world, and they were at their height when people believed in other fanciful creatures. But as man gained knowledge and became more involved in technology and industry, they dismissed fanciful thoughts, and the Whangdoodles disappeared with them.
The children are enthralled. They ask the professor how they can travel to go see the Whangdoodle. The professor tells them that they have to travel by way of their imaginations. But first they must learn how to use their imaginations, and so the children spend many afternoons training with the professor. Finally, the professor gives them special hats to help them make the journey - and viola! With effort and concentration, Professor Savant and the children find themselves in Whangdoodleland.
And that's when the adventure begins! The group encounters many creatures, lots of danger, and pushes their mental abilities to the limits. The professor, who has been trying to reach the Whangdoodle for years, tires and falters and almost gives up. But the children push him on toward fulfilling his dream and theirs.
If Julie Andrews is still looking for something to do now that her singing voice has failed her, she should consider making an audio recording this book. I think it would be great. I would recommend this book for young and old alike - anyone who is interested in "Pax, Amor, et Lepos in Iocando."
