Synopses & Reviews
THE GARDEN OF ABDUL GASAZI, the imaginative Van Allsburg tale of a boy, a dog, a duck, and a nasty old magician, is brought to life in this book-and-cassette package by the unique storytelling abilities of actor Jason Robards and an exciting, original score for saxaphone quartet written by composer Michael Moss.
Review
"This is without question one of the best -- and most original -- picture books in years." The New York Times
Synopsis
From the astonishing imagination of Chris Van Allsburg (Jumanji, The Polar Express)
A Caldecott Honor Book
Sometimes that very thin line between illusion and reality is not as clearly defined as we would like it to be. It certainly wasn't the day that Alan Mitz stumbled into the garden of Abdul Gasazi. For in this bizarre and eerie place -- where strange topiary trees loomed--the eerie visage of Gasazi casts its shadow. And even after Alan escapes, the spell of Gasazi still seems to penetrate into his everyday world.
The very first picture book from the astonishing imagination of legendary Chris Van Allsburg explores both the real and surreal worlds with incredible deftness in this unusual tale. In doing so, he has created exquisite and beautiful images that will linger in the minds of readers long after they have left the enchanted garden of Abdul Gasazi.
Synopsis
Sometimes that very thin line between illusion and reality is not as clearly defined as we would like it to be. It certainly wasn't the day that Alan Mitz stumbled into the garden of Abdul Gasazi. For in this bizarre and eerie place -- where strange topiary trees loomed -- the evil visage of Gasazi casts its shadow. And even after Alan escaped, the spell of Gasazi still seemed to penetrate into his everyday world. In this extraordinary, unusual, and unique picture book, Chris Van Allsburg explores both the real and surreal worlds with incredible deftness. In doing so, he has created exquisite and beautiful images that will continue to haunt readers long after they have left the enchanted garden of Abdul Gasazi.
About the Author
Chris Van Allsburg is the winner of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, as well as the recipient of a Caldecott Honor Book for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. The author and illustrator of numerous picture books for children, he has also been awarded the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in childrens literature. In 1982, Jumanji was nominated for a National Book Award and in 1996, it was made into a popular feature film. Chris Van Allsburg was formerly an instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife and two children.