15. Re-Read a Childhood Favorite Book: The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles

This childhood classic was written by the great Julie (Andrews) Edwards -- that's right...Mary Poppins herself!  I was introduced to this book in the second grade by my teacher Mrs. Shelley. She was reading the book, her childhood favorite, aloud to our class.  I became so enamored with the book that when Friday came, I was very sad I would have to wait the whole entire weekend before hearing the rest of the story.  My parents took me to Barnes and Noble (in Regency Mall) that night so we could buy the book.  Without looking, I can tell you the book has 277 pages.  In second grade, the thought of reading over 100 pages, without pictures, in a real chapter book seemed daunting.  I started reading where my teacher left off that night; I was finished by Saturday afternoon.  And so began a long history of reading books at night in my bed with the lights turned out, when I should have been asleep...

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles starts as three siblings are sitting in a zoo discussing their favorite animals, when a stranger, Professor Savant, suggests they should consider a Whangdoodle. A whangdoodle is a mythical creature with horns like a moose, bedroom slippers on his feet, and color which changes with his mood.  He used to live in our world, but was forced to retreat to his own Kingdom when man threatened his existence.  There is only one Whangdoodle left; he rules as King over Whangdoodleland, which is home to other now-mythical creatures whose existance was also threatened. 

The Professor trains the children to use their imaginations so that they can gain entry into Whangdoodleland. They set their sights on meeting the Whangdoodle, which requires them to journey through Whangdoodleland to reach his palace where he lives in seclusion.  They encounter several dangers and meet many other creatures during their adventure.

The Last of the Great Whangdoodles teaches several lessons along the way. A few of my favorite quotes:

"Have you noticed how nobody ever looks up? Nobody looks at chimneys, or trees against the sky, or the tops of buildings. Everybody just looks down at the pavement or their shoes. The whole world could pass them by and most people wouldn’t notice." (Pg. 11)

"If you remain calm in the midst of great chaos, it is the surest guarantee that it will eventually subside." (Pg. 98)

"Miracles, contrary to popular belief, do not just happen. A miracle is the achievement of the impossible, and it is only when we put aside our greed, anger, pride, and prejudice so that our minds are open and ready to accept it, that a miracle can occur." (Pg. 166)

“Learn to listen when people are talking. First, it's a great art, and second, it's quite possible that when people say one thing they mean another.” (Pg. 175)

And for the parents, the ultimate chastisement: "Seldom have I seen such a brilliant display of enthusiasm and daring. What a pity that you wasted it on a mere self-indulgence. How much better it would have been had you channeled all that energy and directed it towards something constructive." (Pg. 189)

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles is a fantastic reading experience for both children and adults alike. I highly recommend this classic.