Ben's Dream [Paperback]

Chris Van Allsburg (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Ben should be studying for a geography test on great monuments of the world, but the steady rhythm of the rain lulls him to sleep, and his dream begins. A flood of water shakes his house from its foundations and sets it adrift on an around-the-world course, carrying Ben past the incredible structures that were merely pictures on the pages of his book a moment earlier.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A marvelous series of double-page black and white pictures meticulously textured with hatching . . . a visual tour de force." Horn Book Guide

"The story idea, so economically carried out in the text, is illustrated in the artist's meticulous drawings, marvels of symbolism, reality, imagination, and perspective." Publishers Weekly

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 children’s literature. In 1982, Jumanji won the 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.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; 2nd edition (September 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039587470X
• ISBN-13: 978-0395874707
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,935,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More 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 children's literature. In 1982, Jumanji won the 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ben's Dream by Chris Van Allsburg, December 12, 2000

By 

"tpabbott" (Green Bay, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ben's Dream (Hardcover)

By the author of the well-known Jumanji and The Polar Express, Ben's Dream is full of incredible black and white line drawings. Beginning on a normal after-school afternoon, Ben leaves his reality (in typical Van Allsburg fashion)for far-away adventures visiting the world's major monuments.

Your imagination is required - it's largely a picture book - and will be different and fresh with every visit.

Look closely at every drawing - and don't forget to look for Fritz, the bull-terrier with the dark eye-patch who appears somewhere in most of Van Allsburg's books.

Simple. Fun. Something new to notice every time you read it.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Landmark Story, November 12, 2002

By 

Terrie (Little Chute, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ben's Dream (Paperback)

From the brilliant author and artist, Chris Van Allsburg, who brought us Jumanji and the Polar Express, comes this delightfully surreal story of the unusual help a boy gets when he's studying for his Geography test about landmarks of the world. There is very little text but the characteristic black and white line drawings of Van Allsburg speak volumes. There are lots of subtle details that make you want to look this book over again and again. The clever Geography lesson is sure to be remembered forever when learned in this fun-filled fashion. It's a great book with Van Allsburg's usual wry little twist at the end. Don't miss it!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Van Allsburg Title, December 4, 2011

By 

Gee - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ben's Dream (Hardcover)

This is one of the first books by Mr. Van Allsburg that I experienced many years ago when I started teaching elementary school. I love the drawings that bring this lovely dream to life for the little boy (and us readers!). Now I need to find the video that was made of the story! I've wanted it in my library for such a long time, so I thought it's about time to get a copy. For parents, it's a sweet way to teach young children about the great monuments around the globe.