Van Allsburg, C. (1990). Just a dream. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Walter, a young boy who does not take time or steps to protect the earth,
dreams of a magical journey through different environmental settings. Thinking
it will be about the future of his dreams (robots and tiny planes), he soon
realizes that if he does not partake in environmentally healthy activities his
future will be a messy, unhealthy place to live. After visiting a dump (that
overtook his street), trees being cut down, and a grand canyon full of smog,
Walter must make a decision. Van Allsburg adds humor
to this enchanted story when he places Walter in a tree that is about to be cut
down by woodcutters from “Quality Toothpick Company.”
Walter, a young boy who does not take time or steps to protect the earth,
dreams of a magical journey through different environmental settings. Thinking
it will be about the future of his dreams (robots and tiny planes), he soon
realizes that if he does not partake in environmentally healthy activities his
future will be a messy, unhealthy place to live. After visiting a dump (that
overtook his street), trees being cut down, and a grand canyon full of smog,
Walter must make a decision. Van Allsburg adds humor
to this enchanted story when he places Walter in a tree that is about to be cut
down by woodcutters from “Quality Toothpick Company.”
Van Allsburg, C. (2002). Zathura. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
A sequel to Jumanji, Van Allsburg once again creates an exciting story of
a board game that comes to life. This time, he adds the sentimental relationship
of two brothers who are struggling to get a long and find things to do together
while their parents are away. In place of jungle animals and rivers, the author/
illustrator creates vivid images and descriptions of attributes of space; such
as, meteors and aliens. These invaders challenge the boys to work together in
effort to defeat them and return their home back to normal before their parents
come back. Van Allsburg makes an effort to the reader to believe that this has
happened when Walter states that he is extremely dizzy after things are back to
normal; an after effect of being in space.
A sequel to Jumanji, Van Allsburg once again creates an exciting story of
a board game that comes to life. This time, he adds the sentimental relationship
of two brothers who are struggling to get a long and find things to do together
while their parents are away. In place of jungle animals and rivers, the author/
illustrator creates vivid images and descriptions of attributes of space; such
as, meteors and aliens. These invaders challenge the boys to work together in
effort to defeat them and return their home back to normal before their parents
come back. Van Allsburg makes an effort to the reader to believe that this has
happened when Walter states that he is extremely dizzy after things are back to
normal; an after effect of being in space.
Van Allsburg, C. (1992). The widow’s broom. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
This mischievous story about a witch’s broom who helps an old widow
with housework will have you guessing until the very end when a secret is
revealed. Van Allsburg tells the tale of a witch’s broom that, once “old”, will
no longer fly and so falls from the sky to be found in a field by Widow Minna
Shaw. Minna decides to teach the broom how to do housework, which frightens the
neighbors. One neighbor, Mr. Spiley, is in extreme disbelief and picks on and
taunts the broom. The broom, whose feelings are hurt, retaliates by hitting his
sons on the head and flinging their dog far away. When the broom is sent away,
the neighbors begin to be haunted by a ghost in the form of a white broom.
Fearing the haunted broom, they leave town. In the end, Van Allsburg sneakily
adds Minna sitting in her rocking chair with the broom that “she painted white.”
This mischievous story about a witch’s broom who helps an old widow
with housework will have you guessing until the very end when a secret is
revealed. Van Allsburg tells the tale of a witch’s broom that, once “old”, will
no longer fly and so falls from the sky to be found in a field by Widow Minna
Shaw. Minna decides to teach the broom how to do housework, which frightens the
neighbors. One neighbor, Mr. Spiley, is in extreme disbelief and picks on and
taunts the broom. The broom, whose feelings are hurt, retaliates by hitting his
sons on the head and flinging their dog far away. When the broom is sent away,
the neighbors begin to be haunted by a ghost in the form of a white broom.
Fearing the haunted broom, they leave town. In the end, Van Allsburg sneakily
adds Minna sitting in her rocking chair with the broom that “she painted white.”
Van Allsburg, C. (2006). Probuditi!. NY, NY: Houghton
Mifflin.
Calvin and Rodney decide to make a hypnotizing machine
after going to see a hypnotist perform. They try it on Trudy, Calvin's little
sister, and it works! Trudy is convinced she is a dog. Their Mom is on the way
home and they can't get Trudy to snap out of it. What to do?!
Mifflin.
Calvin and Rodney decide to make a hypnotizing machine
after going to see a hypnotist perform. They try it on Trudy, Calvin's little
sister, and it works! Trudy is convinced she is a dog. Their Mom is on the way
home and they can't get Trudy to snap out of it. What to do?!
Van Allsburg, C. (1991). The Wretched Stone. NY, NY:
Houghton Mifflin.
The crew of the Rita Anne find a huge, glowing
rock on an island and bring it aboard the ship. Shortly after the crew stops
speaking and walk stooped over. They get nothing done. What has caused the
dangerous change?
Houghton Mifflin.
The crew of the Rita Anne find a huge, glowing
rock on an island and bring it aboard the ship. Shortly after the crew stops
speaking and walk stooped over. They get nothing done. What has caused the
dangerous change?
Van Allsburg, C. (1993). The Sweetest Fig. NY, NY:
Houghton Mifflin.
The Monsieur Bibot is given two figs as payment for
extracting a tooth from an old woman. She tells him they are special but he
doesn't believe her. He finds the figs have the power to make his dreams come
true. What will he do with his remaining fig?
Houghton Mifflin.
The Monsieur Bibot is given two figs as payment for
extracting a tooth from an old woman. She tells him they are special but he
doesn't believe her. He finds the figs have the power to make his dreams come
true. What will he do with his remaining fig?