The 35th of May; or, Conrad's Ride to the South Seas

The 35th of May is a 1932 fantasy novel by German author Erich Kästner that departs from his usual realistic storytelling style. The story centers on Conrad, a boy who spends Thursday afternoons with his uncle Mr. Ringelhuth. On an impossible date - the 35th of May - Conrad and his uncle encounter Negro Caballo, a talking horse who can roller skate and knows German literature. Through a wardrobe in the hallway, the trio embarks on an adventure through various magical lands including Cockaigne, a medieval realm, an upside-down world, a futuristic city, and a South Sea island. The book combines elements of fantasy, satire and adventure as the characters navigate through these contrasting worlds, each offering its own unique perspective on society and reality. The narrative structure uses the classic literary device of a magic portal, specifically a wardrobe, which predates C.S. Lewis's similar use in The Chronicles of Narnia.

Readers highlight this book's imaginative and whimsical elements, particularly the unusual way it blends reality with fantasy through the main characters' adventures. Many note it manages to appeal to both children and adults. Liked: - The humor and playful absurdity - The charming black and white illustrations - The balance of fantasy elements with real-world details - Novel approach to learning geography and history through story Disliked: - Some found the narrative structure disjointed - Several mentions that certain cultural references feel dated - A few readers noted translation inconsistencies between editions Reviews: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (163 ratings) Readers on German book site Lesejury: 4.5/5 (92 ratings) Notable comment from Goodreads: "The kind of children's book that doesn't talk down to its audience - manages to be educational while remaining thoroughly entertaining." Multiple reviews mention this is harder to find in English translation compared to Kästner's other works.

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The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards Three children and a professor journey to an imaginary land called Whangdoodleland through the power of imagination and concentration.

Half Magic by Edward Eager Four siblings find a magic coin that grants wishes by halves, leading to unexpected adventures and complications in their everyday world.

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander A young assistant pig-keeper leaves his home to embark on a quest through a land inspired by Welsh mythology, meeting magical creatures and facing challenges.

The House of Arden by E. Nesbit Two children discover magic that allows them to travel through time, exploring different historical periods while searching for their lost family fortune.

🔸 The book was published in 1932, the same year that Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" was released, marking a significant period for literary works that explored futuristic societies. 🔸 Negro Caballo's character appears to be inspired by the tradition of talking horses in literature, predating C.S. Lewis's famous talking horse Bree in "The Horse and His Boy" by over 20 years. 🔸 The wardrobe as a portal to magical worlds precedes C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by 18 years, suggesting a possible influence on later fantasy literature. 🔸 Erich Kästner wrote this book while living under growing Nazi influence in Germany, and it was one of his last works published before his books were banned and burned by the Nazi regime in 1933. 🔸 Despite being one of Kästner's most imaginative works, "The 35th of May" remains one of his lesser-known books internationally, especially compared to his classic "Emil and the Detectives."