My 14-year-old daughter discovered this on a shelf, and she had rather hazy memories of hearing me read it many years ago.

It was a delightful departure from our more solemn and academically-driven read alouds. It's a charming story that emphasizes the significance of both language and water, topics that are very dear to our family's hearts.

The vocabulary wasn't overly challenging for a 14-year-old. However, we refreshed our familiarity with words like 'lithe' and 'zephyr', and also touched on spelling to some extent as we progressed.

I would highly recommend it as a wonderful family read-aloud for anyone who is capable of listening without relying on pictures. I recall choosing this for two children of different genders who were four years apart. I think I read it approximately 10 years ago, when I had a 4-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy listening intently. We remember it as one of our all-time favorite read alouds!

It truly holds a special place in our family's memories.

On the surface, this story appears to be a traditional fairy tale. A person embarks on a journey and must accomplish several tasks to reach the conclusion. Indeed, all of these elements are present. However, it is also about caring for others and choosing to take action to solve a problem rather than simply walking away and leaving the mess for someone else to handle. This is something that is often lacking in today's world. The theme comes through clearly and beautifully. He could have walked away, but instead, he decided to attempt to help, and in doing so, he averted a major tragedy.

The main character in this book is a 12-year-old boy. He is dispatched on a quest to inquire of each person in the kingdom about their favorite food. Naturally, no one can agree. The book illustrates how easily disputes can erupt over the most trivial of matters, such as a favorite food. It then demonstrates how misinformation can be spread, transforming it into something even worse (like the telephone game). Before one realizes it, people are arming themselves and willing to fight each other over some insignificant little thing. There is actually a great deal of wisdom in this simple story.

The creatures in this book include a mermaid, dwarves, the wind, and a woldweller.

It is very well-written and an easy read. I was feeling a bit drowsy when I began this book, but as soon as I started reading, the sleepiness disappeared!

Prime Minister DeCree was given the task of creating a dictionary for the kingdom. However, when it came to the word "delicious", the castle people, including the King, Queen, and the General of Armies, engaged in a debate. They had different ideas, such as fried fish, a mug of beer, and Christmas pudding. But in the end, they were all doubtful and unconvinced. To avoid a civil war, the Prime Minister assigned his skinny assistant Gayle as a messenger to ask everyone outside the kingdom for their opinions on the word "delicious".

Gayle's journey led to many unexpected discoveries. He met a wise old creature called a woldweller (which the author had to look up in the dictionary without success), a minstrel, a mermaid, dwarfs, and more. And soon, he met Ardis, the girl who was destined to save the entire kingdom from treason.

This paperback has been sitting on my shelf for ten years, but tonight was the first time my fifth grader read it. He thought about the cleverness of the creatures in the book, the awareness of an impending war started by the King's own blood relative, and the complexity and serious dangers that a simple word can cause. I was amazed by my son's understanding of this book. We both believe that this is an exciting and magical book, perfect for kids who want to learn more about making decisions, cooperating, achieving goals, and being dedicated. It is highly recommended!

A very interesting book!

It truly amazes me that Natalie Babbit has the remarkable ability to think up such an incredibly interesting story. The way she weaves the plot and creates the characters is simply outstanding. Each page seems to unfold a new adventure, drawing the reader in and keeping them captivated until the very end. The story is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next. Natalie Babbit's imagination knows no bounds, and it is evident in every word of this book. It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story that will transport them to another world and leave them with a sense of wonder and excitement.

I highly recommend this book to all book lovers out there. You will not be disappointed!

I probably could have stuck with 3 stars and still made this an honest review.

But guess what? I love this style of writing so much. It's truly a delight to come across an example of it that actually works.

After Tuck let me down severely, I was willing to give Babbitt another chance. And she didn't disappoint. What she delivered might just be my perfect example of pleasure reading.

It's an unusual fantasy that has no roots in reality (perhaps there's some sly parody of war). It doesn't take itself seriously at all. The wit and descriptive writing flow effortlessly.

It wasn't nearly as disturbing, creepy, and preachy as Tuck. However, if you've read that one, you'll notice a plethora of similarities here.

I'm not saying it's for everyone. Some simply don't prefer this style of lighthearted storytelling. But as for me? CLICK! 4 stars.

Natalie Babbitt is an author who has a special place in my heart.

When I was in the library and came across "The Search for Delicious," my mind immediately went to her other wonderful work, "Tuck Everlasting." I thought to myself, "Oh, Tuck Everlasting! I'm definitely going to check this one out!"

Side note: I seem to have a weakness for books with "delicious" in the title. This is the second such book I've come across in two months, and I've devoured them both!

"The Search for Delicious" is a short, sweet, and lovely story. I got completely swept away and read it in a day. The characters' names are witty, and the story is mysterious enough to keep you captivated until the end.

In my opinion, a truly "good" children's book is one that both adults and kids can enjoy. I have two sons, and I'm quite choosy about the books I buy for them. This book will definitely be on the list for when they get older. I can't wait to read it to them or watch them read it for the first time.

What I really appreciate about Babbitt's stories is that they have little jewels in them, nice reminders about what's important, even in a lighthearted little book.

I hope you get a chance to read this one for yourself or to your little one(s). In conclusion, I loved this delightful little book and I wholeheartedly recommend it!

My son's teacher was reading this aloud in class.

Unfortunately, my son had to quarantine due to COVID exposure.

I didn't want him to fall behind, so I promptly went to the library and grabbed this book.

My intention was to ensure that he could stay on track with his studies when he was able to return to school.

After reading several chapters, I found myself so engaged that I decided I needed to read this book from start to finish.

The story is a great wholesome adventure.

It follows a young boy who takes a poll to determine what is the most delicious food in the kingdom.

However, a war starts to develop because no one can agree on the answer.

I especially liked how the author incorporated fantastical creatures into the story.

It added an extra layer of magic and excitement.

This is truly a cute read for preteens!

This was a truly lovely and highly enjoyable read. The moment I started flipping through the pages, I was drawn into its charm.

However, to be completely honest, nothing about it really managed to wow me in a profound sense. I have to admit that I really liked the writing style. It was smooth and engaging, making it a breeze to follow the story.

The way the story was told was also quite captivating. It had a certain flow that kept me interested from beginning to end.

Nevertheless, I don't envision this book really sticking with me in any significant way. It's not one of those books that will linger in my mind for a long time.

That being said, I would still recommend it to someone who's looking for a short and sweet fantasy. It's the perfect choice for those who want a quick escape into a magical world.

Moreover, I think most younger readers who have a penchant for fantasy/adventure quest stories would really enjoy this book. It has all the elements that would appeal to their young and imaginative minds.

Overall, while it may not be a life-changing read for me, it still has its merits and can provide entertainment and enjoyment to the right audience.

This book is truly one of the most remarkable things I read during my later childhood years.

I initially picked it up from a box of books that a neighbor had given us when they moved. I simply thought it would be a quick read to pass the time during a long and rather uneventful summer.

But to my great surprise, what I discovered within its pages was far more captivating than I could have ever imagined.

"The Search for Delicious" is a fascinating tale of a nation that becomes divided over a seemingly simple definition. They are in the process of creating a dictionary for their nation, and for a while, things progress smoothly. However, when it comes to the definition of "delicious", chaos ensues.

Some believe that chocolate is the ultimate definition of delicious, while other citizens hold completely different and often conflicting ideas.

A young steward is then dispatched throughout the kingdom to conduct a poll and determine the best definition. But while he is away, a terrible drought strikes the land, and the kingdom is forced to learn the true meaning of what is truly delicious.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who has a penchant for a well-crafted story and is in search of something wonderful to read to their children, especially now that the Harry Potter series has come to an end. It is a book that will surely engage and delight readers of all ages.

Gaylen is truly amazed when he discovers that all the tales he has heard about the Woldwellers, the dwarves, and Ardis the mermaid are not just fictional stories but actually true.

It is an exciting revelation for him. He had always been intrigued by these legends and now, to know that they exist in reality, fills him with a sense of wonder and adventure.

He can't wait to explore more about these fascinating beings and their world.

The thought of meeting the dwarves with their unique skills and the beautiful mermaid Ardis makes his heart race.

Gaylen is determined to embrace this newfound knowledge and embark on a journey to uncover all the mysteries and secrets that lie within the realm of the Woldwellers, dwarves, and Ardis the mermaid.

It is going to be a fun-filled adventure that he will surely cherish for a lifetime.

I truly enjoyed the writing style to a much greater extent than I had initially anticipated.

Although the premise might seem rather ridiculous at first glance, the story actually had far more substance than simply depicting adults as being stupid.

It effectively showcased how powerful propaganda could be, ultimately leading to rebellion and even civil war.

I also found the concept of the ancient beings and their resulting indifference to the people around them quite fascinating.

While Gaylen didn't experience a great deal of character growth, the fact that he wasn't annoying was definitely a plus.

This aspect added to the overall enjoyment of the story and made it easier to engage with the narrative.

Overall, despite its flaws, the story had many redeeming qualities that made it an interesting read.

This was truly a delightful book.

It had certain resemblances to The Hobbit in some aspects, yet it was slightly less complex. The story was engaging and filled with interesting characters and adventures.

If I happened to know a child within the appropriate age range, specifically from 2nd to 4th grade, I would most definitely share this wonderful book with him or her.

I can just imagine the child's eyes lighting up as they get lost in the magical world created within the pages.

It would be a great opportunity to introduce them to the joys of reading and激发 their imagination.

This book has the potential to become a favorite among young readers and create lasting memories.

Overall, it was a charming read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a lighthearted and entertaining story for children.