Customer Reviews

The Sweetest Fig

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Chris Van Allsburg's book, THE SWEETEST FIG, is an exquisitely illustrated book that raises the fascinating question, "What if... when you slept, your dreams came true?"

This story tells the tale of a mean-spirited dentist, Monsieur Bibot, who lives in Paris, France, with only his small, white dog for a companion. When Bibot receives as payment two small figs from an old woman who can't afford to pay him for his dental services, he is furious. The woman tells Bibot that these figs are special... "they can make your dreams come true." Dreams are clearly something that Bibot cares little for... that is, until he discovers that the old woman was telling him the truth. When he finds himself standing outside a restaurant dressed only in his underwear, and the Eiffel Tower bending down as if it were made of rubber -- he rushes home and begins practicing the art of controlling his dreams. Bibot's attempt to overly-control his life takes a surprising turn, and this story vividly illustrates the point that greed and self-absorption can ruin a man's life.

Because the artwork in this book is so exceptionally good and the moral of the story is so delightful, this is one book that parents will love to read to their children again and again!

The sweetest fig is a great book. I liked reading it. My dog dreams of bones and chasing rabbits. Marcel is a really smart dog. Mr. bibot was mean to him. He deserved it. You should buy this book because it is good and you will love it. It is my favorite.

Written by Austin Ginn, first grade. Posted by his tutor.

I have two children, ages 5 and 7, and this is one of their favorite books. The story is about a mean-spirited dentist who is cruel to one of his patients, and even treats his own dog badly. The evil dentist eventually gets what he deserves, however, in a surprise twist at the end that will amuse both parents and children. The wonderful pictures make the story all the more enjoyable.

Another great book by Chris Van Allsburg. I do an author study with my second graders and they particuarly love this book. They love to hear it read with a bit of a French accent. The children have great empathy for poor Marcel and really appreciate when he triumphs over the self-absorbed Bibot. This book is in much demand in my classroom after it has been introduced as a read aloud. Highly recommended. It is an often overlooked Van Allsburg book but it is actually my favorite. Don't miss this one.

THE SWEETEST FIG combines rather ordinary settings with magic and mystery similarly to what Van Allsburg does in his picture book classics JUMANJI, THE STRANGER, and THE POLAR EXPRESS. The setting of THE SWEETEST FIG is Paris and our main character is a nasty dentist named Bibot living with his long suffering dog Marcel. Through magical means Bibot gets his comeuppance and Marcel the upper hand by the end of the story. Like many picture books (including many of Van Allsburg's) the illustrations, theme and language are really too sophisticated for the Preschool/Kindergarten picture book crowd and can be much better appreciated by children in elementary/middle school. Bibot does appear in his underwear in one scene and there is some implied violence in some of the illustrations but nothing else to make this clever story objectionable to the average reader.

The Sweetest Fig, by Chris Van Allsburg is one of those unique books that is simply "different." I can think of no other way of describing this book, other than delightfully and simply "quirky." It is an absolute delight for both young and old. It is a simple story of an uptight dentist, a long suffering dog, an old, poor lady down on her luck, and two very interesting, magic figs which will make your dreams come true. The dentist takes the two magic figs, rather begrudgingly, as payment for dental work done for the old lady.

Now this is enough of the story line. This is a story of greed and the consequences of greed. The art work in this small book is absolutely wonderful. The longer you study each frame, the better it gets. The text is quite simple and very easy to understand. The story explores a side of human nature (for some people) that needs to be explored. Your kids will be running into individual like our unlikeable dentist all of their lives, and this book will give them something to remember and something to snicker about as they get older. Now some folk, I like to call them the "hand-wringers" will think that the story, and the way it is told, may not be appropriate for younger children. Yes, there is some implied mild violence, some very sly and vague Freudian imagery (if your child can spot this, then she or he is well beyond the understanding level of most adults and you probably need to upgrade the child's reading list.) and indeed, the way the greedy dentist treats his dog is not nice at all. This of course is the responsibility of each individual parent to make this decision, but for the life of me, I cannot find the objection here.

This wonderful morality tale gives the parent loads of little items that can be discussed with the child as the story is being read, and there are many little lessons to be learned here. I have read this book to children in the class room as young as six and they all certainly got the meaning of the story, enjoyed it, and loved it when the dentist got what was coming to him. Let us not underestimate the brightness of our children. In many ways they are much smarter and more perceptive than we are. Recommend this one highly. (Love the little dog, by the way).

What more could you ask for? The Sweetest Fig is the story of French Dentist named Bibot who is given two seemingly ordinary figs as payment for dental services rendered. The old woman who gives Bibot the figs tells him that the figs can "make your dreams come true." As the story progresses, it keeps the audiences attention easily. Most of the classes I have read this to (3rd & 4th Grade) seem to think the results of Bibot's first dream are hilarious and are eager to hear the outcome. The ending is rather abrupt but satisfying where Bibot gets his just rewards. Overall, Van Allsburg does a magnificent job (as always) both authoring and illustrating this intriguing tale. Highly recommended for 3rd and 4th grade students.

I love Chris Van Allsburg's works, and have read them repeatedly over the years. I decided to share them with my kindergartener, hoping that she would not only delight in the illustrations but also be able to understand the message underlying the stories. Some of Van Allsburg's stories have hidden layers that younger children may be oblivious to, but older children and adults will appreciate.

In "The Sweetest Fig", readers are introduced to Bibot the dentist, a selfish and cruel man who thinks only of himself. His long-suffering dog, Marcel is not even allowed to bark, except on Bastille Day! One day, a poor old woman comes to Bibot's practice and begs him to remove her tooth. However instead of the cash he expects, Bibot is presented with the gift of two figs which the old lady promises are especially unique. Bibot fumes and chases the old lady out of his office, but does eat one of the figs later that evening. The next day, Bibot finds that his dreams of the night before have manifested in reality! It is then that Bibot truly understand the significance of the figs, and left with only one, he schemes to achieve material wealth. Will Bibot attain his dreams? The climax is truly a delight to read and the illustrations enhance the reader's pleasure.

My daughter was able to understand what the story was about, and the idea of the magical figs delighted her. She was very upset at Bibot's treatment of Marcel the dog, and Bibot truly is a most despicable character. As with many of Chris Van Allsburg's other works, this is a thought-provoking, and visually stimulating read.

I used this book with my 4th grade students. They enjoyed it very much. I saw a great response using their prediction skills. I enjoyed the "off beat" nature of the book. It prompted great discussion about our own dogs and what they might dream about.

Written by Mrs. Cody's fifth grade
In the book The Sweetest Fig, you are taught good lessons like not to be greedy and be careful what you wish for. Bibot is a self-fish, greedy dentist who only thinks of himself. The illustrations are very good and in all sepia toned it is very cool. The drawings are so detailed it brings out the emotions of the characters. The ending is a great surprise that you won't forget.
We think the book is great and highly recommend it for kids of any age. This book is da bomb!