THE SWEETEST FIG by Chris Van Allsburg

"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. (Amazon Product Description)


Review by Sherry Meidell, illustrator

If you love dogs and hate dentists then "The Sweetest Fig" by Chris Van Allsburg is a great picture book for you. The dentist in the book is not a kind man. He treats his pet, Marcel, like a dog. He treats an old woman patient and her payment of two figs with disdain. The figs end up being more than the dentist had ever dreamed. Someone comes out ahead and someone ends up under the bed on the end of a leash. The illustrations are sepia toned and take you into the magical world created by the art of Chris Van Allsburg.

The picture in the dentist office will have you squirming in your chair and clamping your mouth tightly shut. The end of the book will leave you smiling. 

Book formats:
The Sweetest Fig (hardcover)

You can visit the author's website here: Chris Van Allsburg

To learn more about the reviewer, illustrator Sherry Meidell, go here: Sherry Meidell