There and Back Again (with Snacks): A Hobbit Tale from a Fantasy-Loving Kid

You know that moment when you’re young, clutching a paperback with a dragon on the cover, and you’re just starting to fall in love with fantasy? That was me. Again. Probably still is. I had already gone down the rabbit hole of Dragonlance and Icewind Dale, where elves had dark pasts and dwarves loved to hit things with axes, but then one day—maybe thanks to a Scholastic book fair, maybe a relative with taste—The Hobbit wandered into my life like an unexpected party guest.

And much like Bilbo Baggins, I didn’t know what I was in for.

A Wizard Shows Up and Suddenly There Are Dwarves in Your House

Here’s the thing about The Hobbit: it’s a story that sneaks up on you. Just like Gandalf knocking on Bilbo’s door and inviting thirteen ravenous dwarves over for dinner. (And not even potluck!) One minute you’re reading a peaceful description of a hobbit-hole with doilies and cakes, and the next you’re on a wild ride involving trolls, goblins, elves with questionable hospitality, giant spiders, and oh yeah—a dragon.

Bilbo is the kind of reluctant hero I think a lot of us identify with. Especially if you’re the type of person who packs snacks “just in case” but still wants to be home by second breakfast. The beauty of Tolkien’s writing in The Hobbit is that it manages to feel like both an old bedtime story and a sprawling adventure at the same time. Like if your grandpa was a dungeon master and also very, very British.

Let’s Talk About Gandalf, That Magical Enabler

I love a good wizard, and Gandalf checks all the boxes: mysterious? Check. Powerful? Double check. Willing to throw a poor hobbit into mortal danger because he “believes in him”? Absolutely. And let’s not forget the classic move: disappearing right when things get tough and reappearing dramatically when it’s time to save everyone. Classic wizard move.

But as a kid, I bought into Gandalf hard. The moment he smacked that staff down and started yelling at goblins or tossed magical pinecones into the trees to fight off Wargs? Sign me up for wizard school. (Still waiting for my acceptance owl, by the way.)

The Dwarves: A Traveling Band of Chaos with Beards

Thirteen dwarves. You’re lucky if you can name more than five, and bless you if you can spell any of them correctly on the first try. Thorin gets all the attention for his “I’m too noble for this nonsense” attitude, but let’s be real—without Bombur falling over things and Fili and Kili being the young reckless ones, this company would’ve been incredibly boring.

And of course, there’s the dwarf anthem: “Far over the misty mountains cold…”—which I used to hum dramatically to myself while walking to school, pretending the neighborhood seagulls were great eagles. Tolkien’s ability to create songs that made you feel the age of the world was part of his magic. Even if half the time I just skimmed the verses to get back to the dragon parts.

That Dragon Though: Smaug the Magnificent

Let’s take a moment. A deep breath. Because Smaug is one of the greatest dragons ever written. Period.

Smaug is not just a big lizard with wings. No. He’s intelligent. He’s smug. He’s got style. He sleeps on a mountain of gold like a greedy, fire-breathing cat, and when he talks, he’s got this terrifying, smug charm that makes you both love and fear him.

Tolkien didn’t just write a monster—he wrote a personality. As a kid, I was equal parts scared and in awe. Smaug’s scenes are still some of the most tension-filled and thrilling parts of the book. Bilbo sneaking around trying to steal a cup? I was holding my breath harder than Bilbo was.

Riddles in the Dark: A Game with a Gremlin Named Gollum

I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about that scene—Riddles in the Dark. The moment that launched a thousand prequels and sequels and CGI debates. When Bilbo meets Gollum in the depths of the Misty Mountains, it’s creepy, it’s clever, and it’s one of the most memorable scenes in all of fantasy.

I remember reading that riddle game and actually playing along. “What have I got in my pocket?” Not technically a riddle. But as a kid, I didn’t care. I was hooked. And Gollum was terrifying in a “creepy uncle that lives under the porch” sort of way. His obsession with “precious” stuck with me for years. I think I used to say it to my sister while holding a Ring Pop just to creep her out. Mission accomplished.

The Heart of the Tale: Bilbo’s Growth (and Snacks)

The real magic of The Hobbit is Bilbo himself. He doesn’t start as a sword-wielding hero. He’s not even particularly brave. But through goblins and spiders and dragons and riddles, Bilbo finds his courage—and you, as the reader, get to go on that journey with him.

And somehow, even with all the danger, he never stops thinking about tea, seed cakes, and his cozy home. Relatable, honestly. If I had to choose between facing a dragon or going back home to my couch and some cheddar crackers, I know what I’m picking.

By the end, Bilbo doesn’t return home a conquering hero with a crown. He comes back changed, sure—but he’s still Bilbo. Still a hobbit. Maybe with a bit more bravery, a bit more wisdom, and one less handkerchief. And that, my friends, is real character development.

Middle-earth: Where the Maps Are Better Than Google

Tolkien’s world-building is legendary. As a young reader, I spent way too much time flipping to the map in the front of the book, tracing the journey from the Shire to Erebor with my finger like it was some fantasy GPS. There’s something comforting about a book where you know exactly where everyone is—and where you might stumble upon a goblin stronghold if you take a wrong turn.

From Mirkwood’s spooky trees to Lake-town’s ramshackle charm, Middle-earth is a place that feels lived in. Every location has history. Every name has weight. Tolkien didn’t just invent a story—he built an entire world. And all this came before The Lord of the Rings even showed up to blow our minds with ringwraiths and walking trees.

Why It Still Holds Up

Even now, The Hobbit is a comfort read. It’s got that perfect blend of whimsy, danger, humor, and heart. Unlike some fantasy epics that take themselves way too seriously, this one invites you in like a warm fire on a rainy day. You’re not reading about gods or chosen ones—you’re following a guy with fuzzy feet who misses his bathrobe and still manages to outwit dragons.

It’s the kind of story that makes you want to go on an adventure… as long as you’re home in time for supper.

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Wizardry & Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of dragons, wizards, hobbits, or good old-fashioned magic, and you’ve somehow missed The Hobbit, do yourself a favor: find the coziest blanket, a pot of tea, and dive into this classic. It’s the book that launched a thousand fantasy obsessions—and quite possibly made me want to live in a round door house with a pantry full of seed cakes.

As far as “gateway fantasy” goes, The Hobbit is top-tier. You’ll laugh, you’ll cheer, you’ll crave bacon and eggs.

And maybe, just maybe, you’ll feel a little more adventurous.

Even if it’s just to the kitchen.