Garden of Abdul Gasazi

by Chris Van Allsburg

The Garden of Abdul Gasazi

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Dogs, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 1979

About the author

Chris was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 18, 1949, the second child of Doris Christiansen Van Allsburg and Richard Van Allsburg. His sister Karen was born in 1947.

Chris’s paternal grandfather, Peter, owned and operated a creamery, a place where milk was turned into butter, cream, cottage cheese, and ice cream. It was named East End Creamery and after they bottled the milk (and made the other products) they delivered it to homes all around Grand Rapids in yellow and blue trucks.

When Chris was born, his family lived in an old farm house next door to the large brick creamery building. It was a very old house that, like the little house in Virginia Lee Burton’s story, had once looked over farmland. But by 1949, the house was surrounded by buildings and other houses. Chris’s father ran the dairy with Chris’s three uncles after his grandfather Peter retired.

When Chris was three years old, his family moved to a new house at the edge of Grand Rapids that was part of a development; a kind of planned neighborhood, that was still being built.

There remained many open fields and streams and ponds where a boy could catch minnows and frogs, or see a firefly at night. It was about a mile and a half to Breton Downs School, which Chris walked to every day and attended until 6th grade, when the Van Allsburg family moved again.

The next house they lived in was an old brick Tudor Style house in East Grand Rapids. It was a street that looked like the street on the cover of The Polar Express. The houses were all set back the same distance from the street. Between the street and the sidewalk grew enormous Elm trees whose branches reached up and touched the branches of the trees on the other side of the street. Chris moved to this street with his mom, dad, sister, and two Siamese cats. One named Fafner and the other name Eloise.

Chris went to junior and senior high school in East Grand Rapids. He didn’t take art classes during this time. His interests and talents seemed to be more in the area of math and science.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and the black and white drawings in this story. My one issues is the title and cover make it look like this Garden is going to be amazing. The most amazing picture of the garden is on the cover and not even in the story. We really only see a little of this garden and as much as I love gardens, it does seem rather normal.

Alan is tasked with looking after a bad dog named Fritz. On a walk, the leash snaps and Fritz runs off into a garden with a sign that says ‘absolutely no dogs allowed’. Alan runs after the dog trying to catch him and can never catch him. He runs up to the door and meets the magician Abdul Gasazi, the owner. Alan is told that his dog is now a goose and the spell should wear off today or in a year. The goose steals the boys hat, which the dog loves hats, and flies off. Alan trudges home. The ending is quite cute.

The artwork is stellar. It really is amazing. The kids had to check out each page for the details. It reminds me of Brian Selznick with all the details. The nephew thought this story was funny and he loved the ending. He kept talking about the ending. He gave this 5 stars. He can ask a lot of questions while you are reading. He always wants to know what is going to happen instead of waiting for the story to unfold. The niece thought this was a good story. He enjoyed the art and the story was ok for her. She gave this 3 stars.

[Manybooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Now considering that at the beginning of Chris Van Allsburg's The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, it is rather overtly stated by the author that Miss Hester's dog Fritz has bitten her poor cousin Eunice SIX TIMES ALREADY, I was right from the onset both massively angry at and equally frustrated with Miss Hester and not at all well disposed towards Fritz the dog either, having myself been bitten by badly trained and misbehaving canines in the past, and then even been blamed for this by their so-called owners (for while the accompanying black and white illustrations certainly are expressive and impressive, albeit like all of Chris Van Allsburg's artwork much too dark and gloomy for my personal tastes, the main narrative, the main storyline of The Garden of Abdul Gasazi simply seems like yet another annoying and tired story of a badly trained, unruly, even potentially vicious dog and a clueless owner who has clearly and sadly managed to turn her cherished pet into a horrid little monster with no redeeming qualities whatsoever). And while I guess Alan's escapades in The Garden of Abdul Gasazi of trying to control Fritz (while he is dog-sitting him) are to a certain extent a tiny bit amusing, frankly, since Fritz is so very badly behaved and inadequately trained, in my opinion, Miss Hester should really NOT be giving the responsibility for watching over her pet, for taking her dog on walks to anyone but HERSELF (in other words, Miss Hester should not be out and about visiting but at home teaching Fritz some necessary manners, making sure her dog does not bite or attempt to slip his collar whilst being taken for a walk).

For yes, throughout The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, it really really does tend to bother me immensely that poor Alan not only has to follow the escaping Fritz into Abdul Gasazi's large and clearly very much creepy garden, but that he then also ends up feeling both personally responsible and guilty when it appears as though the retired magician might really have turned Miss Hester's dog into a duck (now did he or did he not, that does of course remain the question). But I guess my main point of angry frustration with this book, with The Garden of Abdul Gasazi and the true reason why instead of two stars, I have now firmly decided on but one star is that in my humble opinion (and the happy ending for Fritz and Miss Hester notwithstanding, namely that Fritz does return safe and sound, although I am indeed happy mostly for and on behalf of Alan) there is not really ever MUCH IF ANY presented author criticism of Miss Hester's clear failures as a dog owner, there are no lessons learned and that sadly, more than likely, Miss Hester will probably simply keep indulging and insufficiently disciplining, not training Fritz, that he will just continue to be the same badly mannered, biting and obviously often vicious little beast as before (because there certainly is NO textual mention whatsoever by Chris Van Allsburg in The Garden of Abdul Gasazi of Miss Hester even somehwat, even remotely learning a lesson and understanding that her dog is ill behaved and nasty because of lacking discipline and training on HER part).

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Garden of Abdul Gasazi” is a Caldecott Honor Book from the legendary mind of Chris Van Allsburg and it is about how a young boy named Alan tries to rescue Miss Hester’s dog, Fritz from the great magician Abdul Gasazi when Fritz accidentally runs off into the forbidden garden of Abdul Gasazi. “The Garden of Abdul Gasazi” is a true masterpiece full of mystery and magic that children will enjoy for many years.

Chris Van Allsburg has done a great job at both illustrating and writing this book that is full of mystery and magic. Chris Van Allsburg’s illustrations are beautiful and haunting at the same time as the illustrations are in black and white and Abdul Gasazi’s garden is both surreal and beautiful as it is extremely large to the point where Alan spends about six pages inside the garden and the plants in the garden look extremely realistic which brings out the beauty in Abdul’s garden. However, the image that truly stood out in the book was the image of Abdul Gasazi’s mansion which is located on top of a hill in the middle of his garden and is surrounded by various bushes and trees giving the mansion an elegant look. Chris Van Allsburg does a great job at making the book extremely dramatic and intense at the same time as most of the book is spent with Alan trying to look for Fritz and encountering the mysterious Abdul Gasazi. Children will be dazzled with the mysterious mood of the story as the audience tries to figure out what Abdul Gasazi does to dogs who come to his garden.

“The Garden of Abdul Gasazi” is a wonderful and surreal book about testing the limits of believing in magic and the importance of true determination as Alan braves his way through the garden to rescue Fritz. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since smaller children might be frighten by the magician Abdul Gasazi.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I opened The Garden of Abdul Gasazi expecting a visit to the garden of an Ottoman potentate. Instead, the eponymous garden owner is a dog-hating, fez-topped magician. I adored Chris Van Allsburg’s pencil etchings in this 1980 Caldecott Honor winner.

Poor Alan Mitz’s torment begins as he’s entrusted to care for an unruly, vicious Bull Terrier named Fritz. The rascally dog escapes into the garden, while Alan chases his hither and yon. The ending will keep you wondering. I also wonder how it was that Ox-Cart Man could possibly have beaten this picture book to win the Caldecott that year!

[Annie ⚜️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think both my son and I would have loved this more if it had been in color. Beautiful illustrations but kids like color and so do a lot of adults. Otherwise, a fun story about a very conscientious young man who took his job seriously and deserves a new hat.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Hester asks young Alan Mitz to spend the afternoon with her naughty dog Fritz. After Alan defends the parlor furniture and pillows from Fritz's love of chewing and has a nap, Alan takes Fritz for his afternoon walk. Fritz leads the way and they come upon a wall with an open doorway. A sign warns that the garden belongs to a retire magician and reads "absolutely, positively no dogs allowed." Fritz can't read and takes off into the garden beyond. Alan follows frantically and chases the dog further and further until he finally reaches a large house which belongs to the retired magician Gasazi. Bravely, Alan knocks on the door and tells Mr. Gasazi the truth. Mr. Gasazi agrees that he has Fritz and takes Alan out to the garden. But poor Alan- Mr. Gasazi the magician seems to have turned Fritz into a duck. What will Alan tell Miss Hester?
Van Allsburg creates a lush, beautiful and mysterious world full of flowers and patterns, shadows and light. It's even more impressive because all of the illustrations are in black and white. The garden of Gasazi seems to go on and on and the house is overwhelming and eerie. The feeling of unease is pervasive despite the abundance of flowers. The repetitive patterns bring continuity to the story and children can imagine themselves running along the paths and over the bridges. I was a bit disconcerted by the text appearing strictly on the left and the pictures on the right. It may be good for reading to young children. They can explore the pictures while the story is being read. It was more fun to ignore the text and just focus on the illustrations to tell the story. Ages 5-10

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations...I've always been a fan of Van Allsburg's detailed black and white illustrations. I love the naughty dog and the faithful dog watcher who tries so hard to take good care of the naughty dog and to rescue him from the magician Abdul Gasazi. I love that the book leaves you wondering...was Gasazi a magician or was the boy tricked? I also love the illustrations of the garden...what an amazing and beautiful garden!

[Jason Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I like ducks better than dogs. I found Mr. Gasazi a very sympathetic character.

[Kokelector · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Alan Mitz le encargan cuidar al perro de la señorita Hester, Fritz, mientras esta va a visitar a su prima. Y ella ya no quiere relación con el perro que la ha mordido en más de 6 ocasiones. Es una tarea fácil, pero si no fuese un animal tan inquieto y aventurero como es.

Así es como el escritor Chris Van Allsburgo, estadounidense nacido en 1949 en Michigan, vuelve a sumergirse dentro de la imaginación en base a sus experiencias personales de infancia. Un prolífico autor, escritor e ilustrador, que ha sabido con una técnica sencilla que juega con luces y sombras en blanco y negro, poder encadenarnos a un relato que nos retrotae a nuestras propias aventuras de infancia e incentiva a las y los más pequeños de casa a vivir las propias.

Fritz, necesita salir a pasear por las tardes, como todo perro que se precie de tal. Pero es tan inquieto que logra zafarse de su collar y escapa raudo sin dirección conocida. Alan va tras su búsqueda hasta encontrar que ha entrado sin permiso a la residencia del mago Abdul Gasazi, reconocido en el barrio por su molestia para con los perros.

Su técnica del dibujo nos recuerda y nos hace apreciar lo clásico de la simpleza de los trazos, en leves tonos de grises que combinan de manera perfecta para enfrentarnos a imágenes preciosas que se quedan en la retina de quienes las leen. Es muy conocido su libro Los misterios del señor Burdick que lo hacen saltar a la fama a través de las pesadillas que todas y todos alguna vez hemos tenido. Pero siempre respetando su estilo de sombras y luces, una maravillosa forma de ponerle una pausa al frenético mundo que nos rodea.

El mago Abdul Gasazi pareciera no prestarle mayor importancia a que un perro haya entrado en su propiedad. Alan de esta forma estará algo más tranquilo, hasta percatarse que cuando le van a devolver el perro de la señorita Fritz este no era el mismo que entró por el jardín. Cómo le dará esta información a ella, es algo que está dispuesto asumir. Cada acto tiene sus consecuencias y responsabilidades.

De esta forma nos sumergimos en un mundo onírico dentro de paisajes hermosamente dibujados y que conciben que podamos conocer un jardín espectacular, una puesta de sol y personajes entrañables que se quedarán en nuestro recuerdo para siempre. Ganador dos veces de la medalla Caldecott (que entrega la asociación para la literatura infantil en Estados Unidos) por dos de sus trabajos, que luego conocimos en el cine en la década del 90’s: Jumanji (1982) y El Expreso Polar (1985) que a estas alturas ya son clásicos de época.

Es una lectura para todas las edades, de los 0 a 99 años y que permitirá a las y los más pequeños el poder de las buenas historias y para las y los más grandes, reencontrarse con recuerdos hermosos de nuestra infancia, cuando todo era más simple. Gran forma de comenzar leyendo en familia en este mes dedicado a la infancia.

[Adele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad. Interesting illustrations though not really my preferred style.

[Victor The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allsburg’s illustrations have always been articulately striking and visually beautiful. We follow a boy talking care of an unruly dog that will take him to a mysterious garden. Fantastically mysterious that does leave you with questions. A- (91%/Excellent)

[Sem · Rating 2 out of 5]

The actual story didn't live up to the story I'd imagined from the cover - which tends to be the case with Chris Van Allsburg whose illustrations I admire greatly - but reading the 1 star reviews here made the effort worthwhile. How readers can get their knickers in a twist about picturebooks has never ceased to amaze me.

[Christopher Seideman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you lost a dog in a magician’s garden during his afternoon walk? What’s even worse, it’s the garden of the great Abdul Gasazi and he hates dogs! Chris Van Allsburg’s first picture book takes the reader through a day dogsitting with the young Alan Mitz. During what should’ve been a casual stroll with a slightly bad-mannered bull terrier named Fritz (there was a reason he was asked to be left home after all! Poor Eunice!), the dog breaks loose, running off into the retired magician’s garden where there’s “absolutely, positively no dogs allowed”. What happens next is interestingly enough, quite ordinary.

It’s one of Chris Van Allsburg’s token skills, presented for the first time; the ability to weave a tight narrative and beautiful illustrations around a fantastical story that’s grounded in realism. While one might expect the journey through a magician’s garden would be full of surreal images, imaginary creatures, and elaborate designs, it’s instead full of Victorian style structures and douglas firs. Full page pointillism drawings made with nothing but a charcoal pencil showcase Allsburg’s training in sculpting through elaborate 3D landscapes and structures, as well as realistic shadows. The use of perspective as well as the amount of detail he puts into the characters and their backdrops adds personality and a liveliness to the images, making it easy to get lost in the world he’s created.

It’s a breathtaking book, and definitely worth the read. Plus, as an added bonus, there are ducks!

[Rebecca Muller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another wonderfully illustrated book by Chris Van Allsburg, illustrator of Jumanji. The layout of the book is perfect. Each two page spread has a cream page on the left with a leafy border and the words perfectly centered on the page. The page on the right is illustrated with the most incredible technique. The black and white drawings resemble pointillism and brush strokes. The images appear to pop off the page. It is no surprise it is a Caldecott Medal Honor book.

I gave this book 3/5 stars. The images and the layout of the text are awe inspiring, however, the story is limited and less descriptive. Alan Mitz, a young lad, is caring for Miss Hesters fiesty dog, Fritz. On their afternoon walk, Fritz enters the forbidden garden of Abdul Gasazi, a former magician. Alan wonders the illustrious gardens to find the irksome pup. The illustrations describe the adventure much better than the words on the page can. I felt the words took away from the power of the drawings.

This book is recommended for grades 2-5.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a magical tale of Alan, hired to watch Fritz, a wayward, spoiled dog. Taking Fritz for a walk, Alan is alarmed when the errant creature runs into a garden that is clearly marked "positively NO dogs allowed in this garden, signed Abdul Gasazi, Retired Magician."

As Alan tries his best to find the dog, he slips and falls down the great stairs of Abdul Gasazi. When asked about Fritz, Abdul shows Alan a group of ducks. Choosing the nastiest duck, Alan reaches for the duck and he flies away.

Upset that he must return to the owner and try to explain what occurred, he finds Fritz the dog has returned to his original form.

Everything Van Allsburg writes and illustrates is magical, and this book is no exception. Black and white images are crisp and beautiful. The pronounced shadows add depth.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful black and white pencil illustrations and a fascinating story about strange happenings next door. I loved how detailed Van Allsburg was able to make his illustrations, and how realistic. One interesting point--the book jacket shows Alan chasing Fritz down a path next to which are some fantastical topiary bushes. But when I checked Gasazi's garden inside the book, I found no topiary anywhere. The ending is left somewhat open-ended--did Gasazi actually turn Fritz into a duck, or was he simply playing with Alan when he claimed to? But a duck grabbed Alan's hat and flew off, and a couple of pages later, Fritz has the hat.

[Mary Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

A full 5 stars! This is the best book I've read today. Imagination, creativity, wonder, and mystery. Chris Van Allsburg is incredible.
This is a great tale about Alan Mitz who is dog watching Fritz. Fritz is a bit mischievous, and they get into an adventure when Alan takes him for a walk. After meeting Abdul Gasazi, a dog hater, and feeling he had totally lost Fritz, Alan slowly makes his way back to the home where Fritz belongs. But that's where the twist comes in and the book ends in a mystery.
What a great read-aloud book for children 3-12, or older.
And in true Allsburg style, the illustrations are amazing.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I checked this book out because it was supposed to be one of the most beautiful children's books, but I have to disagree. I'm not sure what exactly is supposed to be beautiful about it. The words contained more imagery about Mr. Gasazi's garden than the images themselves did. The cover image is nicer than all those in the book put together. I found it disappointing. It's a little bit cute, but there's just not much to it and I'm surprised it's gotten the acclaim it has.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the pictures, not so keen on the story. My kids didn't want me to read it again.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't question the children and never stop believing in magic. So there. Love the story and especially his exquisite drawings.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Caldecott Honour awarded story that follows the exploits of a rather mischievous dog (who bites and exactly what he is told 'not' to do and Alan Mitz, the poor young lad who has been put in charge of minding him whilst the owner is away. Although the young boy has the measure of the dog at first, the hound eventually escapes and heads off into the neighbour's voluminous gardens. The great Abdul Gasazi though is a retired magician and one who has a particular distaste for dogs. What will happen to Fritz after the magician gets hold of him and whatever will Alan say to the dog's owner?

I've always loved Allsburg's illustrations. The deep and meticulous control of shading and line in pencils draw you in without fault and seem perfect for mirroring his themes or reality and fantasy. As always, the reading is encouraged to look closely at the pictures and consider what is subtly being said. The writing is, perhaps, a little too long winded at times but the mystery is as rich as ever. This was Allsburg's first picturebook.

[Sydnee Lim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Garden of Abdul Gasazi tells the tale of a young boy named Alan Mitz who is tasked with watching the naughty Fritz for Miss Hester. Fritz steals Alan's hat and takes off running. As Alan chases after the pooch, he ends up by the garden of the great wizard Abdul Gasazi. His sign clearly states his hatred of dogs. Alan worries about the dog as he goes to confront the wizard. The wizard tell Alan of his dislike for dogs as he leads him to a group of ducks. Abdul tells Alan that one of the ducks is Fritz. Alan takes the duck form of Fritz home, scared to explain to Miss Hester. By the time he returns home, Fritz is back to normal and holding his lost hat. Alan wonders if this was a prank by the wizard or if Fritz had really been turned into a duck.

I would use this in my classroom for younger elementary students who love playing pranks and teaching about interpreting text as well as looking for character development for older elementary students.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book that put Chris Van Allsburg on the map. No one even considered giving a child a book in black and white when it came out. If it wasn't in color, the thinking went, a kid wouldn't like it. Van Allsburg proved that theory wrong, and went on to take the picture-book world by storm. Now he's an elder statesman in the field, but I remember the excitement of his early books with great pleasure!

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with Chris Van Allsburg's earlier books, the art is a bit blockier and murkier (and black-and-white), but the story in The Garden of Abdul Gasazi is just as compelling as Van Allsburg's later stuff. Fritz the dog runs off in a magician's garden and Alan takes chase. It's all quite straightforward, but with a sharp twist at the end. Van Allsburg writes kid's books for adults and I love it.

Re-reading some childhood classics for Christmas.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess this was on my “to read“ list because I love This author’s illustrations and because Jumanji was so precious to me as a child. I liked the illustrations of this picture book, but it is just okay. Not anything I would choose when there are so many other amazing picture books. But there’s certainly nothing wrong with it. 🤷‍♀️

[Emily K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the snout under the couch, loved the floating boy, mid-fall, loved the size of the magician and the ducks, I loved those ducks.

[Frédérique | Adapt&Cie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

La fin vous arrachera assurément un sourire!

[Remy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I TURN THEM INTO DUCKS!

anyway van allsburg's illustrations are just *chef's kiss*

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the e-version, I sense a bit of the marvelous materiality of Van Allsburg's illustrations gets lost but not the charm of his storytelling.