how well is the book little prince story is understood/  

This is one of my favorite books. I really liked the part about the fox that wanted to be tamed, and who taught the prince that his rose was unique because he loved her.

I doubt a child can even understand this story..... (or they should be able to understand, because they never deal with numbers like grown-ups). I agree with your husband that the story got a lot of messages for us readers, but it is interesting enough to read as a bedside story.

The little Prince is a story for grownups, if only they would see that the author´s first picture was a boa eating an elephant instead of a hat.
It is true that a good book has many readings. But I can´t visualise this one as a book to pass time. Bestsellers are that type of books. But this is one of the most meaninful books ever written.