The only way to enter the Island of Conclusions is to jump. The hard part, however, is leaving. In Norton Juster’s “The Phantom Tollbooth,” Milo and his watchdog Tock find this out the hard way.

Imaginary lands and simple but charming storytelling mark the main motifs of the books we fell in love with in our younger years. These themes tend to stay with us throughout life, as we always remember our favorite childhood reads in college and beyond. What is it that is so memorable about those simplistic yet unforgettable books?

“You’re gaining all of your models for the world,” said Diana Sheets, research scholar in the University’s English department. “If reading is an essential part of your life, then I think that there’s a very large chance that it will stay with you.”

This year is the 50th anniversary of the memorable (and cleverly nonsensical) classic children’s book, “The Phantom Tollbooth.” Taking the reader on a journey through the depths of the imaginary world, Juster appeals to youngsters and adults alike.

“Growing up today is … difficult,” Sheets said. “Maybe these imaginary worlds are exciting and a relief to the very ordinary and mundane lives that (kids are) living.”

Here at the University, the Center for Children’s Books offers several research and outreach opportunities for students, faculty and, of course, children themselves. Located within the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, it works with individuals in different departments, universities and even countries.

Deborah Stevenson, the director of the center and the editor for the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, weighs in:

“Children’s books are, for many of us, the company we grew up with,” she said. “I think we’re influenced both directly and indirectly that way.”

Claire Kaplan, freshman in ACES, is reminded of kids’ books through some common everyday occurrences. One of her most memorable books as a child?

“‘The Gas We Pass,’” she laughed. “It’s a funny book.”

The story by Shinta Cho is all about the most musical of the bodily functions. Kaplan remembers reading it with her older brother when they were both young.

This underscores the idea of bringing together a family or community in an individual’s prime years of life.

“For a kid, it’s a wonderful, extravagant gift to have a book read to you by a family member,” Stevenson said. She enjoyed reading books about horses and “Nancy Drew” mysteries as a child.

Big Brother and Big Sister programs, she adds, can also prove to be helpful and memorable for young people. The lessons learned through reading aloud can come in handy later in life, especially at a time when children soak up information like a sponge.

“Mostly what’s really important to children is to have books in the house and to have parents who read and to be exposed to those ideas,” Sheets said.

A couple of her personal favorite stories are “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett and “Follow My Leader” by James B. Garfield.

From picture books to more advanced primary-level chapter books, children’s literature has a big range, just like the hearts of the child readers.

“(Reading children’s books) teaches them morals and values,” said Furqan Hadi, junior in LAS. A favorite book of his childhood is Dr. Seuss’ classic, “Green Eggs and Ham.”

Even the illustrations are noteworthy: They expose small children to their first interpretation of art. In general, stories can stimulate the imagination simultaneously in different ways.

Any time you find yourself drifting off into a land where the laws of physics don’t apply and animals are always happy to give their opinions, think back to those books you read as a child. They spurred your imagination and the rest of your life.