The Garden of Abdul Gasazi: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

If there were a so-much-more-than-a-book category, this title would head the list. The Garden of Abdul Gasazi written and gloriously illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, and read by Jason Robards is a standout. Threats are more menacing; adventures are higher when recounted in Robards' inimitable voice. This, Van Allsburg's first book, winner of the Caldecott Award and deemed Best Illustrated Book of the Year by the New York Times, is the imaginative story of a little boy and a very mean magician. Spectacular reading and listening!

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.

Brilliant full-bodied pencil drawings (no sketches here) combine with a magical story with an O. Henry twist on the last page to make another stunning triumph for the best in the business. Here is the true heir of N.C. Wyeth as supreme illustrator of children's books. You don't have to be a kid to fall under Van Allsburg's spell.

This book is burned into my memory as one of my few early childhood memories. It's been 20 years since I last saw this book, but I could describe many of the vivid illustrations for you. Mystical and magical. Abdul Gasazi's garden exists in every town. All it needs is a child's imagination to bring it to life.

This children's book is about a dog named Fritz who runs off from the boy who is watching over him. The dog enters the garden of a retired magician who hates dogs. Yet, the boy has to get the dog back. Alan is shocked to discover that the dog may have been turned into a duck. The book was a 1980 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children. A book greatly enjoyed by children of all ages.