It made me feel tingly inside. Do you believe in Santa? It's a great book for all ages. After reading it to my daughter at bedtime, I had to read it again to my husband. We both really enjoyed the story as well as the beautiful illustrations (which, by the way, won an award). It is a truly a book which should be read every Christmas Eve.

This book is great to read to your kids. The illustrations are beautiful. The story is full of Christmas magic. Your kids will love it!

This is a wonderful book to teach children that they should treat others as they want to be treated.

En casa de mi amiga Cala fue la primera vez que leí 'La Escoba de la Viuda' de Chris Van Allsburg, fué el diseño del libro lo que primero me llamó la atención, empecé a leerlo y a ver detalladamente las ilustraciones que son verdaderamente fantásticas; deleitando mis pupilas continué con la lectura, es definitivamente un libro de fantasía para niños y grandes que siguen siendo niños. ¡Estupenda la idea del libro! Y siendo la lectura tan sencilla, que sentí como me transformaba en una niña de 8 años... ¡Fué una experiencia mágica! En unas vacaciones por la ciudad de México, encontré el libro en una pequeña librería y no perdí la oportunidad de obsequiarlo. Este libro es uno de mis favoritos y no me canso de recomendarlo a quien tenga niños y de leerlo cada vez que se presenta una oportunidad.

The first time that I read 'The Widow's Broom' by Chris Van Allsburg was at my friend Cala's house. The design of the book first caught my eye, I began to read it and in detail saw that the illustrations are truly fantastic; delighting my eyes, I continued to read, and fantastically enough it is indeed a book for kids and not so kids. The idea of the book is simply wonderful! Being the reading simplistic enough, I began to feel how I was being transformed into an 8 year old girl... It was a magical experience! On vacations on Mexico City, I found the book in a small bookstore and I didn't loose the opportunity to purchase it. This book is one of my favorites and I don't get tired of recommending it to friends who have children and to read it whenever an opportunity appears.

Monseuir Bigot. A dentist, a picky snooty stuck up dentist, to be precise. He lives simply, with his small terrier who is not even allowed to bark, and his profession. One day as he is sitting in his office, an old woman comes into his building with a horrid toothache, she has no appointment, but he decides he could use a few extra francs. (he lives in france)He pulls her tooth out, and when he asks for payment, she hands him two figs, and says that they will make his dreams come true. he sends her from his office, and goes home. Later that night he has one of the figs, as a dinnertime snack. When he wakes up he finds that his dream had come true that he had dreamt the night before. He then hynotizes himself for weeks so he can control his dreams, the night he plans to eat the fig and become rich and famous, his dog eats the fig. he wakes up the next morning under his bed... bieng told to go for a walk...

Chris van alsburg has the best ironic childrens books. I really enjoyed how this one played out. The illustrations are as good as you would expect from a van alsburg book, especially well done are the peoples facial expressions.This is a book i would definately recomend to a friend, not nessesarily a younger reader but preferably someone who can read fairly well, its somewhere in between a chapter book and an easy reader.

Chris Van Allsburg's book, THE SWEETEST FIG, is an exquisitely illustrated book that raises the fascinating question, "What if... when you slept, your dreams came true?"

This story tells the tale of a mean-spirited dentist, Monsieur Bibot, who lives in Paris, France, with only his small, white dog for a companion. When Bibot receives as payment two small figs from an old woman who can't afford to pay him for his dental services, he is furious. The woman tells Bibot that these figs are special... "they can make your dreams come true." Dreams are clearly something that Bibot cares little for... that is, until he discovers that the old woman was telling him the truth. When he finds himself standing outside a restaurant dressed only in his underwear, and the Eiffel Tower bending down as if it were made of rubber -- he rushes home and begins practicing the art of controlling his dreams. Bibot's attempt to overly-control his life takes a surprising turn, and this story vividly illustrates the point that greed and self-absorption can ruin a man's life.

Because the artwork in this book is so exceptionally good and the moral of the story is so delightful, this is one book that parents will love to read to their children again and again!

What more could you ask for? The Sweetest Fig is the story of French Dentist named Bibot who is given two seemingly ordinary figs as payment for dental services rendered. The old woman who gives Bibot the figs tells him that the figs can "make your dreams come true." As the story progresses, it keeps the audiences attention easily. Most of the classes I have read this to (3rd & 4th Grade) seem to think the results of Bibot's first dream are hilarious and are eager to hear the outcome. The ending is rather abrupt but satisfying where Bibot gets his just rewards. Overall, Van Allsburg does a magnificent job (as always) both authoring and illustrating this intriguing tale. Highly recommended for 3rd and 4th grade students.

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis is a wonderful beginning to The Chronicles of Narnia. Two children, Digory and Polly, are given a great gift by Digory's uncle. He gives them rings which give them the power to travel to different worlds and travel home again. They travel to many different worlds and have many different adventures. I one of the worlds they find an evil queenwho follows them back home. Polly and Digory take the the queen to a different world where they meet a kion called Aslan and many different talking animals. Digory takes a silver apple back home to his dying mother. When Digory gives the apple to his mother and she is miraculously cured. Digory plants the apple core and magic rings in his backyard. You will have to read the rest of this magical adventure to find out where the magic appears next. This book is one of the most wonderful and magical books I have ever read. Lewis's imagination really keeps the books alive. It makes you feel you are sharing the adventures right along with the characters. I would recommend this book to anybody because it is so fascinating. This adventure-fantasy is for people of all ages. It makes you want to keep on reading to find out what happens to the characters. There is a lot of suspense and it is very absorbing. I love the way it leads into the next book of The Chronicles. It makes you want to read all the other books that follow.

Though this book was originally written for small children, I began reading the entire Narnia series at the age of 12. A teacher recommended that I read The Magicians Nephew first because it shows how Narnia was created and explains how Jadis the Queen comes to the peaceful land. The story begins with a friendship being formed between two children, Polly and Digory. Digory has been staying with his Aunt and Uncle because of his ill mother who needs to be taken care of. Being completely bored, he climbs over his wall on day and meets the girl who lives next door. Digory tells Polly how his Uncle is a crazy magician. They decided to crawl through some raftors that connect Polly and Digory's houses. Unfortunatley, they stumble into the secret labratory of Digory's uncle. He traps them and, before they can do anything, gives them rings ( green for going and yellow for coming back )and sends them off into a different world. Finding themselves surrounded by pools, they decide to jump into one to see what would happen. But by doing that, they awaken Jadis the Queen, who they accidentaly bring back with them to London. She immediatley goes off and runs a muck downtown. Trying to get her back to her own world, they put on their rings. But, once again, luck was not with them. They had accidentaley brought with them a cabby with his horse and the Magician. Once they are in the world with all of the pools, they go into the wrong pool; a.k.a. Narnia. They then wittness the creation of Narnia where animals can talk. It is a beautiful story that I stayed up half the night finishing. I just wish that more people can read this book. The creation of Narnia is very much like the scene in the Bible where God creates the world and all of it's creatures. Yes, this is a childrens book, but I truly believe that anyone who reads it will immediatley love it.

A lot of people argue about whether The Magician's Nephew is book one or book six in the Narnia series. Either way, (I read it second-after The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and have now reread it after finishing the series) it is an excellent book. It is the genesis of all the adventures in Narnia; and is a masterpiece! A little boy named Digory and his friend Polly are sent to a place between the worlds by Digory's mad-scientist/magician uncle Andrew. From there they awaken an ancient evil, witness the death of one world and the birth of another. In telling the story, C.S. Lewis writes with both wit and skill. His grasp on human nature is both insightful and entertaining. This book serves as a parable for our own creation and fall. It is a book I recommend to people of all ages.

I was read Swan Lake when I was the age of the little girl in the story, and waited for years for a sequel not knowing that there would be one. I loved the idea of a sequel, and I loved being able to live in the world that Mark Helprin created for little longer, but I thought that the social commentary he was making through the Tookisheims detracted from the main theme of the book and made it less timeless. I would never advise anyody not to buy it, I think that the whole trilogy should be part of everyone's library, but my first love will always be Swan Lake, although if I come across a deep blue jar at a garage sale someday, I will pick it up as tribute to the memory of these wonderful stories.

I, too, found this book fascinating and couldn't put it down. The story is enhanced greatly by Van Allburg's ability to capture, enhance and crystalize the image of the text. This story is for adults or to be read out loud to older children who enjoy a good tale.

In "Veil" Mark Helprin and Chris Van Allsburgh offer up a mythic tale which, while dark, will disturb and delight readers of all ages (though the elegant, sometimes labrynthine prose style will probably appeal more to older, more sophisticated readers). This book (as well as its predecessor, "A City In Winter,") is no doubt destined to become a classic, both to fans of fantasy and of children's literature for its moving story and its religious/philosophical themes.

Van Allsburgh's illustrations, while charming, are not essential to the understanding of the story, often interrupting the imaginitave "flow" of the prose itself. However, younger readers will still appreciate the bright, colorful images.

With this title, Mark Helprin has solidified his reputation as one of, if not the, premier American fantasists, a reputation which began with the mythic "Winter's Tale." It will remind Helprin fans why they are fans to begin with, and is no doubt destined to create some new ones.

The garden of Abdul Gasazi begins when a woman leaves her mischeivous dog in the care of a young boy, when she pays her cousin a visit. The boy is very busy trying to keep the bad dog from doing things that would enrage the owner. Later, the boy takes the dog for a walk, he comes across an unusual sign that says "NO DOGS ALLOWED, HOME OF RETIRED MAGICIAN" the boy is about to turn back when the dog breaks the leash and runs past the sign down the path and into a garden. The boy spends a very long time looking for the dog, and decides he should ask the magician if he has or knows where the dog is. The magician reveals that all dogs that wander into his garden... he turns into ducks. He gives the boy the dog, in duck form. He says the spell will revert someday, whether it be a day or a year. The boy is on his way taking the duck home, when it takes his hat and flys away. He then returns to the home where it came from, all the while trying to think of something to tell the owner, when he reaches the door to her home, he knocks and begins to tell her the whole story, when he notices the dog walk up behind her. He had been duped. He walked home laughing at himself... And the woman forgot to give him his hat back...

I really enjoyed this book, its one of the most well illustrated books by Chris Van Alsburg, but the story wasnt quite up to his usual standard, I expected it to be a little bit more ironic, but ah well. Im sure all younger readers and some just learning to read would enjoy this book very much.

"The Garden of Abdul Gasazi" was Chris Van Allsbrug's first picture book and it features exquisite drawings done with a carbon pencil on Strathmore paper. Young Alan Mitz is given the job of watching Miss Hester's dog Fritz for the day. During their afternoon walk they find a sign by a vine-covered wall that reads: "ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NO DOGS ALLOWED IN THIS GARDEN" signed "ABDUL GASAZI, RETIRED MAGICIAN." Alan is more than willing to heed the warning, but at that moment Fritz snaps right out of his color and runs in to the garden of Abdul Gasazi. Alan tries and tries to catch up with Fritz, but with no success. Finally, he has to go and knock on the magician's door, apologize and get Fritz back. However, the magician has some good news and bad news. Alan can certainly take Fritz back, but because he despises dogs, Abdul Gasazi has turned Fritz into a duck. Or has he . . . ?

It will not matter to young readers of this book that Van Allsburg was interested in applying fine-art drawing style and sensitivity to the problems of illustration. A note on the backpiece explains how these drawings represent the artist's attempt to explore areas of concern such as "creating a balance on the page by placing dark tones next to light for contrast" and "using a light source to provide a variety of tones to show form." I read this through, several times in fact, and flipped back and forth between the pictures, trying to make the connections between theory and practice. I believe I have some clue as to the principles involved in the execution of these drawings. However, the important thing is that the artwork is really neat and the guy did it with just a sharp little pencil. Yes, the story is little more than an excuse to do these drawings, but what is wrong with that? Especially if young readers race for pencil and paper after looking at this book to see what they can do.

I have had this book for years and still enjoy readig it.I can not even edge the divinity of this magnificent work. To say the least, Gasazi is Allsburg's magnum opus. A wonderful read for all generations, especially children. I mean, the artwork is far better than regular children's litterary works. Then, a very rare story-line: A boy must venture far into the garden of a wealthy magician to retrieve his neighbor's canine. Far better than The Polar Express, in my oppinion. Now, don't get me wrong, the story-line is no Harry Potter, but still a good read.

Vivid artwork in an array of dramatic colors adds to the mystery and eerieness of this book. I take it that the "wretched stone" is a metaphor for television and its hypnotic effect. I am taking a course on children's literature and have been sampling picture books, and so far Van Allsburg wins the palm. The darkness of this tale may be disconcerting to some of the young set, but the last page with its bright red, white and yellow colors and its kicker wit dispels the gloom and sends us all to bed happier and the wiser.

The Wrethched Stone is a great book. I loved it! It is a little confusing. I would have liked more detail. The pictures were great! I think kids older then the age of 9 would understand it more then littler kids. Little kids would love the pictures, though.

The Wretched Stone an intriguing tale that, like most of Van Allsburg's books, begins in a deceivingly normal way. The voyage of the Rita May turns strange when a large glowing rock is brought on board. As the crew becomes mesmerized by its light, they are transformed into ape-like beings, loosing the qualities that make them human. Until a storm hits , there appears no way the ship will survive. The story serves as a reminder that as we slip deeper into the electronic age, we may be loosing the very things that give us our humanity. It is a timely piece.

By the author of the well-known Jumanji and The Polar Express, Ben's Dream is full of incredible black and white line drawings. Beginning on a normal after-school afternoon, Ben leaves his reality (in typical Van Allsburg fashion)for far-away adventures visiting the world's major monuments.

Your imagination is required - it's largely a picture book - and will be different and fresh with every visit.

Look closely at every drawing - and don't forget to look for Fritz, the bull-terrier with the dark eye-patch who appears somewhere in most of Van Allsburg's books.

Simple. Fun. Something new to notice every time you read it.

From the brilliant author and artist, Chris Van Allsburg, who brought us Jumanji and the Polar Express, comes this delightfully surreal story of the unusual help a boy gets when he's studying for his Geography test about landmarks of the world. There is very little text but the characteristic black and white line drawings of Van Allsburg speak volumes. There are lots of subtle details that make you want to look this book over again and again. The clever Geography lesson is sure to be remembered forever when learned in this fun-filled fashion. It's a great book with Van Allsburg's usual wry little twist at the end. Don't miss it!

The story the two bad ants is a very good story, telling of how a scout ant discovers sugar, takes it to the queen ant and how she subsequentially sends out hundreds of ants, to claim some of this sugar for herself,however, two ants stay behind in an attempt to have some of the sugar for themselves, they eat all night and are merry, only to fall asleep and then be rudely introduced to the world of men the next morning. They find themselves poured into coffee, shot out of a toaster, spun in a garbage disposal, electrocuted, and nearly drowned. They learn thier lesson from this and wait for the ants to return that night, and then follow them home, thier home.

This is a fairly good chris van alsburg story, the illustrations are the highlights, where as the story isnt as ironic as you would expect from him. The story amused me and im sure it would be quite fun to read for many younger readers. I would recomend this book to anyone just learning to read.

If you are looking for a great kids book, I recommend the book by Chris Van Allsburg, Two Bad Ants. This book captivates the reader with its descriptive text as well as its exciting story line. The book is about two ants who, instead of helping the colony by getting food, decide they will stay where the food is and live alone. They quickly learn that living by themselves is not an easy thing to do. They encounter many hardships and obsticles, finally realizing that they need the colony. Read this book and find out what happens to the two ants and whether or not they make it home.

This book has wonderful illustrations. Most of all it is great for teaching writing. The story is simple, but imaginative. It has a clear beginning, middle, and end. The middle of the story has several conflicts and resolutions. If you are not a teacher, it also is a great read aloud for kids, with a comforting ending.