2015 marks the 40th anniversary of Natalie Babbitt’s celebrated, groundbreaking title Tuck Everlasting (Anniversary edition on sale January 20). In celebration of the anniversary, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group will publish a special anniversary edition featuring an introduction from Wicked author Gregory Maguire.
Tuck Everlasting asks readers “What if you could live forever?” Doomed to, or blessed with, eternal life after drinking from a magic spring, the Tuck family wanders about trying to live as inconspicuously and comfortably as they can. When ten-year-old Winnie Foster stumbles on their secret, the Tucks take her home and explain why living forever at one age is less of a blessing than it might seem. Then complications arise when Winnie is followed by a stranger who wants to market the spring water for a fortune.
Upon the book’s publication in 1975, Natalie was greeted with concern from parents and educators who were stunned to read a book about death written for children. She is an author who challenges her readers and thinks the best questions are the ones without answers.
This 40th anniversary will introduce a whole new generation to this timeless classic. The book has sold over 3.5 million copies in the US alone, and has never been out of print since publication.
Title: Tuck Everlasting
Author: Natalie Babbitt
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan)
40th Anniversary Edition Release Date: January 20, 2015
Acquired Via: Publisher
Blessed with—or doomed to—eternal life after drinking from a magic spring, the Tuck family wanders about trying to live as inconspicuously and comfortably as they can. When ten-year-old Winnie Foster stumbles on their secret, the Tucks take her home and explain why living forever at one age is less of a blessing than it might seem. Complications arise when Winnie is followed by a stranger who wants to market the spring water for a fortune.
A brand-new introduction from Gregory Maguire, the author of Wicked, and additional bonus materials make this special edition of Natalie Babbitt's Tuck Everlasting a must-have for lovers of the book and a great way to introduce a new generation to a classic.
Would I Want to Live Forever?
If I was offered the opportunity to live forever, I think I'm old enough now to answer immediately with a resounding "NO!", but I haven't always been so sure. When I was a child, I thought it would be a wonderful thing to spend all of eternity with your family safe and healthy with you for all eternity. However, as I've grown older, I've learned that things are taken for granted when things are promised to us forever, and we lose what makes them special. I know that I would be like Angus Tuck, laying around in bed day after day, waiting on the world to end.
I feel that we appreciate the people and things we love because the time we have with them is finite, and none of us are promised tomorrow.
My Review
I read Tuck Everlasting for the first time more than twenty years ago, so reading it again in anticipation of the book's 40th anniversary (and as an adult) was an entirely different experience. When I was a kid, I marveled at the idea that a person could drink from a magic spring and live forever. I, like Winnie, was half in love with Jesse Tuck and debated what I would have done in the same situation. However, as an adult, Tuck Everlasting made me very sad for the immortals and their lack of choice in the matter.
There's really not much else I can say about my feelings regarding Tuck Everlasting without spoiling the book. I will say though that Tuck, Mae, Miles, and Winnie's frog made me the saddest out of all of the characters. I also hope that this book will be in schools and libraries for many, many more years to come.
Pre-Order your copy of the 40th Anniversary Edition HERE
Thanks so much for sharing this! I loved this book when I was in elementary school, I just ordered it!
ReplyDeleteEmily @ Follow the Yellow Book Road
I'm a bit ashamed to say I haven't read this but now i really want too!
ReplyDelete~Britt @ please feed the bookworm