The Garden of Abdul Gasazi
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1979 · Est. 9 min read-aloud

The Garden of Abdul Gasazi

Written & illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg

A boy enters a mysterious garden where reality blurs with illusion.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 4,505 ratings
32 pages· 1,117 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud
$18.95Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Alan Mitz stumbles into the enigmatic garden of Abdul Gasazi, where reality and illusion intertwine. Strange topiary trees and the shadowy presence of Gasazi challenge Alan's perception. Even after escaping, the garden's spell lingers, haunting his everyday life. What secrets does this surreal place hold, and can Alan truly leave it behind? Discover a world where the line between real and surreal is tantalizingly thin.

From the publisher

Sometimes that very thin line between illusion and reality is not as clearly defined as we would like it to be. It certainly wasn’t the day that Alan Mitz stumbled into the garden of Abdul Gasazi. For in this bizarre and eerie place – where strange topiary trees loomed – the evil visage of Gasazi casts its shadow. And even after Alan escaped, the spell of Gasazi still seemed to penetrate into his everyday world. In this extraordinary, unusual, and unique picture book, Chris Van Allsburg explores both the real and surreal worlds with incredible deftness. In doing so, he has created exquisite and beautiful images that will continue to haunt readers long after they have left the enchanted garden of Abdul Gasazi.

Awards

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (1980)Caldecott Honor (1980)
At a glance
Format
Hardcover
Pages
32
Words
1,117
Reading age
4–7
Audience
Picture
Lexile
AD580L
Themes & topics
Books about dogsBooks about magic
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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
4
F&P level
~O
AR points
0.5
AR interest level
LG
AR quiz
53942
Publication
Published
October 10, 1979
Publisher
Clarion Books
Edition
Language
English
Type
Picture Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780395278048

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