Chris Van Allsburg

Brilliant picture-book practitioner Chris Van Allsburg - two-time winner of the Caldecott Medal, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, as well as a Caldecott Honor, for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi - delivers a deliciously spooky reading experience with The Widow's Broom, a book which boasts both an engrossing story, and gorgeous illustrations. "Witches' brooms don't last forever," it begins, proceeding to unfold the story of widow Nina Shaw, who aids the injured witch who crash-lands in her show more field, and is rewarded with the mostly magic-less broom that she leaves behind. Mostly magic-less, but still enchanted, the broom becomes a helper and companion for the lonely widow, assisting her with the chores, and playing the piano for her. Until, that is, the widow's frightened and superstitious neighbors, led by the vindictive and nosy Mr. Spivey, decide that the broom must be the work of the devil...

As with all good stories, The Widow's Broom can be read and understood on a variety of levels, whether it be as a spooky tale of magic, suitable for the Halloween season, or as a meditation on the dangers and futility of superstition, and (implied) religious intolerance. The idea that we often create a world in which our fears are brought to life, through a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy - Mr. Spivey believes that the broom is evil and dangerous, and his sons, having doubtlessly picked up on this idea, persecute the broom, which retaliates in kind, proving that it can be very dangerous indeed - is subtly conveyed in the story, as is the notion that things are rarely as they seem (love that surprise ending!). The illustrations are simply breathtaking: done all in black and white, they have a kind of sepia tone to them, and ably capture the depths of shadow and presence of light, in each scene being depicted. There is a sense of mystery and magic here, that is perfectly suited to the tale at hand. I think my favorite image was of the witch, grasping her billowing cloak, her face turned to the side: so powerful, so frightening and beautiful, all at once!

With a strong story, complete with surprise ending, and beautifully rich artwork, The Widow's Broom is a book I highly recommend: to anyone who is looking for engagingly witchy tales (at Halloween, or any other time of the year), or who is an admirer of Van Allaburg's artwork! show less

First, my disclosure: I didn't read this book for the first time as a child.

The story is a straightforward tale about a boy who is right at that age between believing in Santa Claus and not believing. On Christmas Eve he is whisked away to the North Pole on the Polar Express and meets Santa who gives him a gift. The gift is a reminder about the joy of Christmas for all those who truly believe.

The artwork is exceptional for the tone of the story, which is to say it evokes a Norman Rockwell show more feeling of longing for the classic childhood. The gift of the bell seems to represent the boy's faltering belief in Santa Clause. Sometimes it's strong; sometimes it's weak. By the end, only those who truly believe in the spirit of Christmas can hear the bell.

I appreciate the childlike atmosphere of Christmas and how simple and good the world feels every December. I don't agree with the book's notion of aging being some sort of an automatic loss of the Christmas spirit. An experienced understanding of Christmas can be the truest of all. If anything, the bell should ring louder for the adults.

The Polar Express will no doubt endure as one of the best stories to read to your child each Christmas even though its message seems outdated. show less

Maybe it is the time of the year getting to my head, but I could not help revisiting this amazing story about retaining hope and faith in the things we believe in. Although I am an adult, and do not believe in Santa anymore, I remember the joy that believing he was real had brought me as a child. The main character, a young unnamed boy, is invited onto a fantastical expressway that will lead him to Santa Claus, who many of his peers believe to be a myth/legend.

Audiobook performed by Robin Williams

Peter and Judy’s parents are going to a matinee, and they leave the children at home, with instructions to “keep the house neat,” as they’ll be bringing some guests back after the performance. Of course, they immediately make a mess with all their toys, but even that is boring after a while, so they head for the park. There they find a discarded board game – JUMANJI: A Jungle Adventure Game - and decide to take it home and play it. Fortunately, show more they DO read the instructions ….

What a flight of fancy and imagination! Oh, the thrill of being just a little naughty and pulling one over on the parents … followed by the sheer terror when you realize that you are going to get caught and most certainly severely punished. How can they possibly explain to Mother and Father about the rhinoceros stampede, or the monkeys in the kitchen, not to mention the python on the mantel and the torrential downpour that has soaked all the carpets.

Van Allsburg’s wonderful illustrations won the Caldecott Medal, and this was a well-deserved prize.

The 30th anniversary edition I got from the library has a surprise: an audio CD of the book, performed by Robin Williams. I confess that I listened to it twice! show less