Customer Reviews
Great pictures and plot. 
2008-02-23
We both thought this book was great. The pictures are fantastic and the plot not only funny but has a great twist at the end. What would you do with a magic fig? What would your pet do with one? Recommended for ages 4-8 years.
A WELL TOLD STORY AND THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE TOP LINE. 
2007-09-30
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).
Imaginative and beautiful 2007-07-27
Van Allsburg, as usual, brings us a delightful tale about a "stiff" dentist and his just desserts. The illustrations are typical Allsburg, beautiful and masterful. Somewhat of a morality tale about what might happen if you don't treat others with kindness, but not overt. Very imaginative and engaging. Best for children ages 6-10.
This modern fable is classic Van Allsburg 2007-06-02
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.
Not appropriate for children. 
2007-05-04
Art is beautiful but content is not appropriate for children. Possibly appropriate for a high school student but not for an elementary student. Certainly not appropriate for a preschooler. This is classified as an illustrated children's book. I would recommend reviewing the book in a library or a bookstore prior to purchasing it on amazon so as not to risk the time, effort, and a not-in-full refund or the return shipping rate.
*Isaac Newton's Favorite FIG TALE* 2006-07-20
"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.
good book 2004-10-18
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.
The Sweetest Fig 2004-05-20
The Sweetest Fig story takes place in Paris, France. Monsiur Bibot, the coldhearted dentist, helped a patient who had a toothache. After Bibot helped her, all she could pay him with were two magical figs. In disbelief, Bibot took the figs and shoved her out of his office. When Bibot went home, he decided to eat one of the figs as an evening snack. It was the seetest fig Bibot had ever tasted, it just wasn't until the next morning that Monsieur Bibot realized it indeed was so magical that it had the power to make your dreams come true.
My Favorite Van Allsburg 2004-01-27
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 for ms voorhees book report assignment 2003-03-13
Monseuir Bigot. A dentist, a picky snooty stuck up dentist, to be precise. He lives simply, with his small terrier who is not even allowed to bark, and his profession. One day as he is sitting in his office, an old woman comes into his building with a horrid toothache, she has no appointment, but he decides he could use a few extra francs. (he lives in france)He pulls her tooth out, and when he asks for payment, she hands him two figs, and says that they will make his dreams come true. he sends her from his office, and goes home. Later that night he has one of the figs, as a dinnertime snack. When he wakes up he finds that his dream had come true that he had dreamt the night before. He then hynotizes himself for weeks so he can control his dreams, the night he plans to eat the fig and become rich and famous, his dog eats the fig. he wakes up the next morning under his bed... bieng told to go for a walk...
Chris van alsburg has the best ironic childrens books. I really enjoyed how this one played out. The illustrations are as good as you would expect from a van alsburg book, especially well done are the peoples facial expressions.This is a book i would definately recomend to a friend, not nessesarily a younger reader but preferably someone who can read fairly well, its somewhere in between a chapter book and an easy reader.
