“Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.”

Don't come at me for not having read this children's classic sooner. Honestly, it hits so much harder as an adult, I'm not even mad. If you read this as a child and haven't revisited it, do yourself a favor and read it again with grown-up eyes. I absolutely loved this journey of self-discovery, and the characters we met along the way were simultaneously whimsical and deeply profound, which really makes this a true story for the ages. The story is compounded with beautiful philosophies, bittersweet truths, and quiet reflections on what it means to truly see and be seen that resonate long after you turn the final page. Ultimately, this is so much more than a children's book. It's a sweet and beautiful story about how our relationships transform us and the lengths we'll go to to protect the ones we love.