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(Paperback - Reissue)
A beloved tale by Cynthia Rylant—now available in paperback.
The Van Gogh Cafe, located in Flowers, Kansas, has magic in its walls, causing strange and mysterious events to occur there.
Within the walls of a small Kansas restaurant there is magic to cure all manner of ills. In PW's words, "Newbery Medalist Rylant breaks new ground in producing this whimsical tale, dexterously weaving extraordinary events into the fabric of ordinary life." Ages 8-12. (Feb.)
More Reviews and RecommendationsCYNTHIA RYLANT is the acclaimed author of more than a hundred books for young people, including the new poetry volume Ludie's Life; the beloved Mr. Putter & Tabby series; the Henry and Mudge series; and the novel Missing May, which received the Newbery Medal. She lives in Portland, Oregon.
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February 07, 2009: As a teacher of adolescents, I previewed and read this book as a potential reading project for my students. I have enjoyed other Rylant books, so I was disappointed to discover that there was a chapter in the middle of the story that dealt with an old man lamenting over a lost lover, another male. I don't appreciate authors using children's literature as a way to infiltrate mainstream education for the purpose of perpetuating his/her own personal agenda. Teachers beware.
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November 18, 2008:
The Van Gogh Café is magic. Nobody knows quite how or why, but they all agree that it is. Nobody knows it better than ten-year-old Clara. She helps her dad, Marc, run the café. Clara knows how much the café loves stories, and the small stories don't often stay small for long.
To the people in Flowers, Kansas, who have been going to the café all of their lives, the unbelievable is pretty normal, and the impossible seems quite possible. Anything can happen at the Van Gogh Café.
From lost loves found, to a cat that falls in love with a seagull. From food that cooks itself, to magically multiplying muffins. From prophetic poetry on napkins, to a possum that helps a man find his life again. You never know what you might find at the Van Gogh Café.
I love it!
My only complaint is that it's too short and I want more! My only question is, can I please go visit? Maybe even work there? Oh, that's two questions.