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The Traveler
Once there was a boy named Charlie, who had a nice life—but it wasn’t quite perfect. He had to spend too much of his time doing things he didn’t want to do. So one day he packed up all his time in a suitcase, locked it up, and set off to find a better way to spend it. Charlie traveled the world looking for the perfect thing to make him happy. In the meantime, unbeknownst to him, his itsy-bitsy seconds and silky, smooth hours and raggedy days ticked away, so that when Charlie stopped traveling and realized what he truly wanted out of life, it was almost too late. Almost.
This charming and touching fable evokes a lesson we would all do well to learn: living and loving is time well spent.
This charming and touching fable evokes a lesson we would all do well to learn: living and loving is time well spent.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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277 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
August 6, 2013
I picked this small novel to read as the result of a friend on Goodreads. It is a cute almost childlike book with an adult message which was meaningful to me. Simply put, you have only so much time to live, share and enjoy your stay in life. Don't wake up one day and wonder where it went.
June 2, 2017
This little gem takes ten minutes to read and look at the illustrations, and a lifetime to savor. A fable that teaches a lesson we would all do well to learn: living and loving is time well spent.
Charlie, a young boy, is dissatisfied the life is not perfect so he packs all his TIME in his suitcase and sets out to find perfection. What he finds on his global adventure is told in charming verse. When he realizes what he wants out of life, it is almost too late. Almost...
It's a book to read over and over again...to yourself, to children, to family, and to friends. It will make you smile (and maybe even think).
Charlie, a young boy, is dissatisfied the life is not perfect so he packs all his TIME in his suitcase and sets out to find perfection. What he finds on his global adventure is told in charming verse. When he realizes what he wants out of life, it is almost too late. Almost...
It's a book to read over and over again...to yourself, to children, to family, and to friends. It will make you smile (and maybe even think).
February 26, 2011
Sometimes you just need a little reminder about the universe, and this is a most perfect reminder.
February 13, 2009
The illustrations were cute but I read it in less than five minutes, standing in the library. Very predicatble. I don't know why they would agree to publish this, let along put it in the library. Seems like a gift-kind of book to me done by a third-grader. sorry.
November 26, 2019
A cute pick me up and a perfect coffee table book. It has a nice message, and some spunky and funny illustrations, but I feel like I cheated when I read it even though the message was extremely timely and pertinent.
June 10, 2009
This is a poignant fable about using your time wisely and living life to the fullest. Guaranteed to be a tear-jerker, The Traveler is 48 pages worth of time well spent.
August 20, 2021
2021 5-sentence or less review:
Saw this tiny little book sitting on the library shelf and figured I would pick it up quickly. I was interested at first with the concept of time being depicted as something physical, but it quickly turned into something predictable and eye-roll inducing. I'm surprised this wasn't in the children's section.
Saw this tiny little book sitting on the library shelf and figured I would pick it up quickly. I was interested at first with the concept of time being depicted as something physical, but it quickly turned into something predictable and eye-roll inducing. I'm surprised this wasn't in the children's section.
August 20, 2010
"Once there was a boy named Charlie, who had a nice life – but it wasn’t quite perfect. He had to spend too much of his time doing things he didn’t want to do. So one day he packed up all his time in a suitcase, locked it up, and set off to find a better way to spend it. Charlie traveled the world looking for the perfect thing to make him happy. In the meantime, unbeknownst to him, his itsy-bitsy seconds and silky, smooth hours and raggedy days ticked away, so that when Charlie stopped traveling and realized what he truly wanted out of life, it was almost too late. Almost."
I believe there are two types of book in this world, type one is the one that I will read and forget; whilst another one is the type of book that I read and will stick forever in my mind. This book falls into the second type.
I was exposed to this book at Borders bookstore on my visit to KL when I was searching for a book in the Self Improvement/Self-Help section. This book presents itself to me as the cover of the book accidentally caught my sight. At first I was only fast-read the book and put it back to the shelf and ended up buying another book. But I couldn’t get myself to forget about the story and how the message of the story has really stick in my mind. I search for this book in Times Bookstore, which fall under the graphic novel section, and didn’t find it. Finally, I could bring this book home after searching for it under the Underground comic section on Kinokuniya bookstore.
Later when I look back to my journey in finding this book; to the self improvement, graphic novel then underground comic; I realize that this falls into every-described category. This book will tell you a story about life in Charlie’s point of view. After all, Charlie is like any ordinary human who always seem to seek for happiness in life and never get satisfied of whatever life gave him. Completed by beautiful illustration, you will feel like a child again being taught by a master of life, well about life. And in the end, you will realize that the best way to spend your time is by living and loving. Try to live in the here and now. Dreams are grand, but a life spent chasing can end up a life wasted.
This thin book is written by Daren Simkin, which consists of only 48 pages. But the message inside this book worth a lot more than the physical of the book. The way Daren pass through his message is by writing a very simple story and completed by beautiful illustration. The illustration is made by Daniel Simkin, brother of Daren and it’s beautifully entwined the story and illustration together into a subtle message of wisdom about life
I love this book so much that I would really love to buy several copies of the book and send it to those who were lost like I was once. But then again, I only get one copy and I could only suggest others to go find it and read it. You’ll never regret it!
As written on my blog: http://eksinads.com/?p=474
I believe there are two types of book in this world, type one is the one that I will read and forget; whilst another one is the type of book that I read and will stick forever in my mind. This book falls into the second type.
I was exposed to this book at Borders bookstore on my visit to KL when I was searching for a book in the Self Improvement/Self-Help section. This book presents itself to me as the cover of the book accidentally caught my sight. At first I was only fast-read the book and put it back to the shelf and ended up buying another book. But I couldn’t get myself to forget about the story and how the message of the story has really stick in my mind. I search for this book in Times Bookstore, which fall under the graphic novel section, and didn’t find it. Finally, I could bring this book home after searching for it under the Underground comic section on Kinokuniya bookstore.
Later when I look back to my journey in finding this book; to the self improvement, graphic novel then underground comic; I realize that this falls into every-described category. This book will tell you a story about life in Charlie’s point of view. After all, Charlie is like any ordinary human who always seem to seek for happiness in life and never get satisfied of whatever life gave him. Completed by beautiful illustration, you will feel like a child again being taught by a master of life, well about life. And in the end, you will realize that the best way to spend your time is by living and loving. Try to live in the here and now. Dreams are grand, but a life spent chasing can end up a life wasted.
This thin book is written by Daren Simkin, which consists of only 48 pages. But the message inside this book worth a lot more than the physical of the book. The way Daren pass through his message is by writing a very simple story and completed by beautiful illustration. The illustration is made by Daniel Simkin, brother of Daren and it’s beautifully entwined the story and illustration together into a subtle message of wisdom about life
I love this book so much that I would really love to buy several copies of the book and send it to those who were lost like I was once. But then again, I only get one copy and I could only suggest others to go find it and read it. You’ll never regret it!
As written on my blog: http://eksinads.com/?p=474
February 14, 2009
This is a slim picture book with a target audience of adults. Teens will most likely not enjoy it, but adults and small children will.
The fable tells the story of young Charlie, who decides to pack all his Time into a suitcase and travel the world searching for the perfect thing to spend it on. In the end, however, Charlie learns that it isn't how you spend your time that is important, but who you share it with.
The book is very touching, and accompanied by very nice illustrations with a distinct style. The writing is done at a very low level, and it works. The story doesn't need overly verbose language, it is simple and effective, if not overly original. Reminded me of Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree".
Great as a gift or just a quick five-minute read, "The Traveler" packs an emotional punch.
The fable tells the story of young Charlie, who decides to pack all his Time into a suitcase and travel the world searching for the perfect thing to spend it on. In the end, however, Charlie learns that it isn't how you spend your time that is important, but who you share it with.
The book is very touching, and accompanied by very nice illustrations with a distinct style. The writing is done at a very low level, and it works. The story doesn't need overly verbose language, it is simple and effective, if not overly original. Reminded me of Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree".
Great as a gift or just a quick five-minute read, "The Traveler" packs an emotional punch.
March 5, 2014
I thought this was a sweet 5 minute read. There isn’t exactly anything profound about spending your time wisely as advice, but it left me with a smile on my face and a little nod in agreement. If you have a moment I’d see if your library has a copy. I also think it could be a cute gift for a young person going offi into the great unknown for the first time. They might not fully appreciate the lesson (not many do in their youth) but it is packaged in such a way (easy to read with illustrations) that you can be pretty sure that at least they’ll read it!
August 11, 2009
Delightful little book found on the clearance shelf at Starbucks, marked down to $2.99 from $12.95.
Would make a lovely song - the text is circular but lyrical and the end result is a quick trip through a life squandered by thinking 'I have all my time - I can wait to spend it when something REALLY PERFECT happens' - and of course, that never comes.
Lovely gift - and the size is just right for tucking into a suitcase.
Would make a lovely song - the text is circular but lyrical and the end result is a quick trip through a life squandered by thinking 'I have all my time - I can wait to spend it when something REALLY PERFECT happens' - and of course, that never comes.
Lovely gift - and the size is just right for tucking into a suitcase.
October 20, 2016
I really thought that this was a really cute and sweet book. This is about a man who attempts to save his time for a worthy cause and goes around the world looking for this worthy cause. Then he gets older and comes back home and finds an old friend who is who he decides he wants to spend his time on only to find that his time has run out. Poignant. Time goes whether you are ready or not for it.
April 14, 2009
This has many qualities of a children's picture book. There are simple illustrations on almost every page, and the text is intentionally repetitive. It only takes a few minutes to read the entire book. It packs a powerful lesson about how to spend your time and about what is most important in life. Although written for adults, I think it would also be great for kids.
July 28, 2013
This is a very short read featured previously at STARBUCKS. I have had it quite some time and picked it up today reading it in about 5 or 10 minutes. At first I felt it to be more of a Children's book but in a few words it has a big meaning which really touched me! Nice surprise! Give it a read! I will pass this on to someone special.
January 5, 2009
As with music, if I think that I could have written it, it can't be very good. Too simple, too obvious, and a severe lack of profundity.
January 11, 2013
Corny, striving for depth...wannabe The Little Prince. Not Moved.
June 19, 2017
Κριτική στα Ελληνικά πιό κάτω...
This is a children's book and has its merrits for an adult I guess, but as a children's book it was a decent one.
A very quick read with minimalistic illustrations and a nice main message: Life might not be perfect and there might be elements in your life you find annoying. But anyway, life is worthing living at present rather than wasting your time seeking perfection -which might not come- sometime in the future.
Love your friends with their flaws, live your life, be loved.
I think of this book as the perfect gift for a grumpy child or maybe for an adult who always tend to complain about minor stuff.
A tale worthy to be read.
Παιδικό βιβλίο και άρα λιγάκι τετριμμένο, αλλά αξίζει να το διαβάσει κανείς, δεν χρειάζονται πάνω από 5 λεπτά άλλωστε...
Το κεντρικό μήνυμα είναι ότι η ζωή μπορεί να μην είναι τέλεια, αλλά πρέπει να ζούμε την κάθε στιγμή και να δίνουμε αξία στα σημαντικά πράγματα αντί να σπαταλάμε τον χρόνο μας ψάχνοντας μια τελειότητα που μάλλον δεν υπάρχει...
This is a children's book and has its merrits for an adult I guess, but as a children's book it was a decent one.
A very quick read with minimalistic illustrations and a nice main message: Life might not be perfect and there might be elements in your life you find annoying. But anyway, life is worthing living at present rather than wasting your time seeking perfection -which might not come- sometime in the future.
Love your friends with their flaws, live your life, be loved.
I think of this book as the perfect gift for a grumpy child or maybe for an adult who always tend to complain about minor stuff.
A tale worthy to be read.
Παιδικό βιβλίο και άρα λιγάκι τετριμμένο, αλλά αξίζει να το διαβάσει κανείς, δεν χρειάζονται πάνω από 5 λεπτά άλλωστε...
Το κεντρικό μήνυμα είναι ότι η ζωή μπορεί να μην είναι τέλεια, αλλά πρέπει να ζούμε την κάθε στιγμή και να δίνουμε αξία στα σημαντικά πράγματα αντί να σπαταλάμε τον χρόνο μας ψάχνοντας μια τελειότητα που μάλλον δεν υπάρχει...
April 22, 2018
Once there was a boy who spent most of his time browsing books in bookstores. He loved to hunt for bargain books in book fairs. He decided to create The Perfect Reading List in His Perfect Library. He went on to do this for many years but he didn’t spend his time reading them. He was waiting for the perfect mood to read the perfect book. But there was never a perfect time and there would never be a perfect mood for a perfect book. He was never happy because he has wasted too much time. So one day he just picked up a book from his bookshelves and started to read. He was happy. Reading is a time well spent.
There you go...
There you go...
July 17, 2017
A lovely little book with a very poignant ending. I can see why it appeals to all ages, children will like the repetition of one of the phrases & adults will appreciate the sentiment.
It reinforces my belief that life is short & to enjoy it while I can 😊
It reinforces my belief that life is short & to enjoy it while I can 😊
March 20, 2019
A very simple short 5-minute read! Really cute illustrations. But the message is really vital to your life! Time is the most important asset. You cannot store it. It will pass by, so be sure to enjoy every moment and make your time count.
November 4, 2020
It’s a quick and simple read which I really enjoyed!
My takeaway from the book is that instead of spending time trying to find a perfect way to live our lives, truly living is being present in the moment, being appreciative of each day and spending time with the people we love:)
My takeaway from the book is that instead of spending time trying to find a perfect way to live our lives, truly living is being present in the moment, being appreciative of each day and spending time with the people we love:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2022
A book that reminded of the phrases: "Don't waste your time" or "Spend your time wisely." I truly found myself wasting my time for things that at the end were not well spent. I come back to this book and I think of how our time in this world is limited.
June 25, 2017
Cute lil' book!
December 20, 2018
A sweet story I read with my daughters about the importance of time and living a not-so-perfect life.
December 23, 2017
Great message for kids and adults alike. Spend all your time on things you love, it’s not something that can be saved up.
February 1, 2018
My friend gave me this book for Christmas one year, I read it from time to time and it usually perks me up.
May 11, 2019
Sweet. Inspiring. Enjoy all the time you have.
May 13, 2020
This was a cute book and a very important message in this story about time is all I will say I’m not going to give anything away. I highly recommend all ages to read this book it is a must.
February 19, 2022
Makes me cry every time
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews