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The Sweetest Fig Hardcover – October 25, 1993

by Chris Van Allsburg (Author)

55 customer reviews

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"These figs are very special," the woman whispered. "They can make your dreams come true." -- Thus Monsieur Bibot, the cold-hearted dentist, was given two ordinary-looking figs as payment for extracting a tooth from an old woman's mouth. Monsieur Bibot refused to believe such nonsense and proceeded to eat one of the figs for a bedtime snack. Although it was possibly the finest, sweetest fig he had ever tasted, it wasn't until the next morning that Monsieur Bibot realized it indeed had the power to make his dreams come true. While dragging his poor dog, Marcel, out for his walk, he discovered that his strange dream from the night before was becoming all too real. Determined to make good use of the second fig, Monsieur Bibot learns to control is dreams. But can he control Marcel? Once again Chris Van Allsburg explores the mysterious territory between fantasy and reality in an uncanny tale that will intrigue readers of all ages.

The Sweetest Fig

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Van Allsburg swings back into his most mystifying mode with this enigmatic, visually sophisticated tale of Monsieur Bibot, a "very fussy" French dentist who is given a pair of magic figs as a form of payment by an impoverished patient. The fruit, he's told, has the power to make dreams come true. The pragmatic Bibot scoffs at this, of course, but learns otherwise after eating one. Accordingly, he makes plans to use the second fig to become the richest man on earth (and to ditch Marcel, his oppressed terrier, for a string of Great Danes). The images in the book are unsettling, even ominous: Bibot lurking in a doorway with a rolled-up newspaper, ready to punish Marcel; Bibot gleefully clutching a pair of pliers as he prepares to extract an old woman's tooth; a frowning Bibot standing, fists clenched in anger, as his patient offers him the figs instead of cash. The dentist is a thoroughly unsympathetic character; readers will rejoice when the long-suffering Marcel gobbles the second magic fig and, in a poetically just ending, reverses the master-slave relationship. The sepia-toned illustrations are classic Van Allsburg, offering a visual study that is downright psychological; the artwork's spare lines and clean surfaces reflect the obsessively orderly Bibot's nature. Adults will appreciate Van Allsburg's acuity, while many children will relish the darker aspects of his story. A significant achievement. All ages.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up-Another quietly bizarre and stunning picture book from Van Allsburg. In this modern fairy tale, a Parisian dentist (a prissy and sadistic man who even hates his own dog) is given two magic figs by an old woman who tells him, "'They can make your dreams come true.'" Bibot scoffs. However, after the first fig proves to do exactly that (in a scene in which the dentist walks down the street in his underwear, and then the Eiffel Tower droops over), he realizes how precious they are. Night after night, he hypnotizes himself into dreaming that he is the richest man on earth. Finally, he prepares to eat the second fig. But his dog, Marcel, beats him to it, and the following morning, the dentist wakes up as the helpless pup under a bed, with his own face calling to him, "'Time for your walk. Come to Marcel.'" The Sweetest Fig is a superb blend of theme, language, and illustration, with a very grabbing plot as well. The writing is formal yet direct, using simple, deliberate vocabulary to match the elegant setting and mood. The shades of gray, cream, and brown and the calm, stable design enhance this mood. The angle at which readers view scenes is always intriguing and heightens their involvement. Most children old enough to read this complex book on their own will be fascinated and will return to it again and again. Van Allsburg at his best.
Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

Age Range: 4 - 7 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
Lexile Measure: AD530L (What's this?)

Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers; Library Binding edition (October 25, 1993)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0395673461
ISBN-13: 978-0395673461
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 11 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #213 in Books > Children's Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life > Sleep
- #231 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Dogs
- #1236 in Books > Children's Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy & Magic

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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars

5 star		79%
4 star		18%
3 star		1%
2 star		0%
1 star		2%

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Top Customer Reviews

What if... When You Slept, Your Dreams Came True?

ByCynthia Sue Larsonon January 18, 2003

Format: Hardcover

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!

0Comment 28 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Excellent book - parents will enjoy this one too!

ByA customeron October 15, 1999

Format: Hardcover

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.

0Comment 10 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

My Favorite Van Allsburg

ByardnamVINE VOICEon January 26, 2004

Format: Hardcover

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.

0Comment 7 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Didn't see that one coming

ByThe Katon July 7, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Revenge is sweet. So is this book. This could have been a Twilight Zone episode. Every dog gets his day and you want to clap for this one. It is a great short story children will get and remember and maybe even make good choices because of it. A good example of the Golden Rule. The 5 year old I bought it for loved it.

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The author is brilliant and the grainy drawings are perfect

Byshoe fanon January 12, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I use this book to teach irony in high school lit course. . The author is brilliant and the grainy drawings are perfect, but he includes some questionable allusions to the Eiffel tower becoming limp. Maybe as an adult I am reading into in too much, but it feels icky. I am sure sophisticated older students might look twice. I gloss over it really fast, and it has not been an issue in class.

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Bullying doesn't pay....

ByJersey teacheron August 4, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Wonderful character education book! Bibot, a surly, self-inflated, French dentist, treats everyone with contempt. He thinks only of himself. His tiny dog, Marcel, is about to turn the tables on him.
This book has a surprise ending, easily discovered by ages 6-8. Good lesson on anti-bullying, and fabulous pictures, as well (of course....it's a Van Allsburg).
Read-aloud interest level 6-8, and reading ability level age 7.

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A nasty dentist who gets his comeuppance!

ByRichard and Lizon December 20, 2014

Format: Hardcover

Hmmm... if dreams could come true, some disastrous results may happen. HOWEVER parents beware before reading this book. If your child is scared of the dentist, you may want to give this one a miss. Why? Monsieur Bibot is not a very nice man who will not even let his dog bark! When an old woman comes to visit him at his dental office complaining of toothache we see a picture of the lady in the chair with Bibot having one hand over her eyes and with the other hand holding a pair of pliers to pull her tooth out. Only when he is finished does Bibot offer her some pills for the pain. That offer is soon retracted though when the woman says she has no money but in figs, two very special figs!

From here the story gets a little obscure as we read of Bibot eating one of the figs in the evening and then in the morning we see him walking his dog in his underwear! It is only on the next page that we read about Bibot remembering his previous night's dream. What else did he dream? In order to not "waste" the next fig, over the next few days Bibot reads books on hypnotism and tells himself something in the mirror. His dreams change and he is ready for the second fig. Hah! What happens to the fig? Can you guess?

An unusual story that is OK but not one we will read on a regular basis. You may want to check it out from your library first before purchasing.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Great Story, Magnificent Illustrations, & a Surprise Ending

ByJ. BrittmanVINE VOICEon October 18, 2002

Format: Hardcover

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.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most Recent Customer Reviews

Parents know best I guess.

I enjoyed the book. I read it to my third grade class, and a mother complained that it gave her daughter nightmares. You can never tell what will scare a child.

Published 11 months ago by malka monroe

Five Stars

Great twist at the end

Published 11 months ago by Amazon Customer

Five Stars

My favorite book as a child. Bought it for my niece & nephew.

Published 1 year ago by NG123

Love the twist at the end of this beautiful picture ...

Van Allsburg has given me another " favorite" ! Love the twist at the end of this beautiful picture book!

Published 1 year ago by Audrey

Five Stars

Great children's book love the artwork as well

Published 1 year ago by Jessica lugo

This is another story I use for my exceptional education ...

This is another story I use for
my exceptional education reading classes grades 5-8. The twist at the end really delights them and makes them think.Read more

Published 1 year ago by Dee Lynn

great to show personalization of characters fact vs fiction

great to show personalization of characters fact vs fiction. Characteristics is a great one with this book talking about how bibot was so mean and cruel to the dog.

Published 1 year ago by Hannah

Excellent illustrations and story!

I love Van Allsburg's illustrations and stories. The kids in my classrooms did too.

Published 1 year ago by Viz

Five Stars

Perfect condition. added it to my growing Chris Collection

Published 1 year ago by Anthony

Five Stars

I love this book!

Published 1 year ago by Jada Dyson

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