Bad Day at Riverbend

Like all Chris van Allsburg's books, "Bad Day at Riverbend" shows an astonishing blend of imagination and talent. The good folks of the tiny western town called Riverbend start to realize that there are all sorts of strange things happening--and no one can explain them. People are afraid. People are uneasy. People turn to the town's sherriff for help.Adults will tune in right away to what's going on, but what fun to see understanding dawn on a child's face when they realize where the light and color are coming from--it's positively magical to watch.Van Allsburg employs his usual stellar artistic talent in an unusual way here, and the end result is captivating. There is a sense of unease here, a discomfiting sense of mystery that pervades all Van Allsburg's work, and it works wonderfully well here to heighten the sense of suspense. Much to be admired!

I have loved this wonderful book since it came out. This is a grownup's book masquerading as a kiddie book. The children I know have not liked the book, but the adults howl over it. It's one of those books children don't really get because it subtly makes fun of kids...but that is what the fun is all about.One past reviewer said this was not Chris Van Allsburg's typical illustration. There IS no typical Van Allsburg illustration. All of his books are totally unique. You will not find a copycat book in his whole award winning collection.The whole point of this delightful books is that it mirrors a child's coloring book. The opening pages are uncolored and shows the typical western town with the peaceful citizens living their quiet daily lives with the usual sheriff in attendance to round up the bad guys. Suddenly a horse and rider pull into town. Hanging from the horse are greasy colored strips hanging from him. The rider was in the same terrible condition. He looked awful. The rider tells the sheriff that he was riding along minding his own business, when suddenly there came a sudden bright light and then he was attacked. The sheriff knows he must act at once to save the town from this terrible unknown threat. I won't tell you the ending. If you are reading this book in a bookstore, be prepared for people to stare as you double over with tears streaming down your face.

When I first got this book, I thought my mother had made a mistake and picked up one that had been scribbled in. Boy was I in for a treat when I discovered what was really going on in Riverbend. It'll keep you guessing right up to the punch line. You gotta get it!

I'm 40-something. Grew up with Westerns and coloring books and a little brother. This book appealed to me as an adult. I could imagine someone taking an old coloring book a little kid had scribbled in and making a wonderful tale of it. Chris Van Allsburg did a fine job. Hey, little kids might even like it!

Chris Van Allsburg goes away from his normal illustrative style and comes up with a winning concept. When I first read this book, I was hooked from the very beginning. If properly explained to young readers, this title could open up a whole new, imaginative way of thinking for them. Don't peek at the ending. Read it from start to finish and you'll find it as wonderful as all of Van Allsburg's work. Enjoy, I'd love to hear what others thought.