Customer Reviews

Ben's Dream

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

This book has an interesting way to introduce the famous landmarks to the children. I read this book to my children who are below 6 years old and they love to hear it. However, I wish this book is also published in colourful art instead of black and white only. Although it is very beautifully drawn, I think if it has a bit more colour... it'll be even more interesting to look for the younger children.

This book provided a great starting point for a unit on world landmarks. Excellent illustrations and an engaging plot.