The Van Gogh Cafe

I just finished reading the Van Gogh Cafe to the kids in my fifth grade class today. This is the fourth time I have read it to my classes, and I never fail to be amazed and delighted by the images and magic Cynthia Rylant infuses into her story about a very unusual cafe in Flowers, Kansas. Each little story within this slim volume is like a jewel. Rylant wields her pen as skillfully as Vincent Van Gogh did his brush and palette knife, and no matter how many times I read it, the hair on the back of my neck prickles in anticipation of the unexpected, the "marvel ous." I HIGHLY recommend this book to chldren and to anyone, child or adult who needs to be transported to a place where a porcelain hen sits smiling, and a sign reads Bless All Dogs.

Not only does the magic renew Clara's (the 10 year-old who helps her father run the Van Gogh Cafe) hope and add a rainbow splash of color to her life, but the magic between Marc (Clara's father) and Clara struck me as inspiring, too. Marc and Clara share the work, and share the magic: The father and daughter make an interesting, enjoyable team to read about, from the time lightning struck the Cafe, to the time they met a very special writer and all the times in between. It seems Clara expects good things (magic) to happen, and that expectation is contagious to readers as they can't wait to find out what happens next in this book (which is a quick and easy read - it was over too soon). It's easy to get involved in The Van Gogh Cafe, and easy to find hope and cheer there.

This is a very good book because it uses extremely descriptive writing. Cynthia Rylant can capture a whole idea in just a few words. Another reason I like this book is because it involves a kid, like me. The stories made me feel like I would like to go to the Van Gogh Cafe. It can be enjoyed by kids and adults!

This book is probably the best book I have ever read. I love the magical and nice suspense put into the book. A few fellow classmates of mine and I loved it so much, we dressed up in striped red and white shirts, black pants, berets, and created 'A Poetry Evening at the Van Gogh Cafe' for a school project. We included it with poems about magic and the Cafe, read the poem Invitation by Shel Silverstein, recited Marc's poetry, and topped it off with a pair of bongos and a spotlight. Well, I loved everything about this book: the way each chapter led into another, the font and pictures put at the top of each page, even the cover is beautiful. I think every person in the world should own a copy of this book.

This book is so filled with magic, Houdini hardly matchs up to it.Clara and Marc are always expecting magic, and in the magic that comes there is always a extra little bit of magic in the end.Exellent for all readers, great for reading aloud to the family.I am sure that after you read this book, you will want to bake some little mini muffins yourself, or even go outside to check your roof for a wayward seagull. Once again, this is a very magical book, and it instantly became one of my favorites.:)