Doc explores children's classic 'The Phantom Tollbooth'

The Phantom Tollbooth is one of those perfect books I can't wait to introduce to my daughter in a few years. First published in 1961, the tale marked a wonderful collaboration between author Norton Juster and illustrator Jules Feiffer.

A new documentary explores the friendship between the two men and chronicles how the children's classic came together. The Phantom Tollbooth: Beyond Expectations features interviews with Juster and Feiffer, along with reflections from friends and fans (including Eric Carle!). It's narrated by David Hyde Pierce.

Here's a trailer:

I watched the film this week and loved how it transported me back to my childhood. If you've never read The Phantom Tollbooth, it's certainly not too late, and you can get started with the first chapter.

Directed by Hannah Jayanti, the movie includes charming sequences rendered in stop-motion animation along with music from Devendra Banhart, ARMS and others.

The Kickstarter-funded doc screens at the New Yorker Festival this weekend, and it just became available for digital/DVD pre-order. (It releases Oct. 8.) To buy it, head to phantomtollboothdoc.com. You can also learn more at facebook.com/TollboothDocumentary and @tollboothdoc.