The Garden of Abdul Gasazi
By Chris Van Allsburg
The Story
A boy named Alan loses track of the dog he's watching, Fritz, when the mischievous pup dashes into the walled garden of a magician rumored to despise dogs.
Why It's Special
For the kid who loves a mystery with no easy answer, this book turns a simple errand — watching someone's dog — into an eerie, unforgettable puzzle.
- Big idea: Some questions don't get tidy answers, and that uncertainty is part of the story's spell.
- Vibes: Hushed, atmospheric, and quietly unsettling, with a formal old-world stillness.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy stories with a mysterious, open-ended twist
- are drawn to detailed, atmospheric illustrations
- like to puzzle over what really happened
- respond well to quieter, slower-paced storytelling
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What happened right before Fritz ran off into Abdul Gasazi's garden?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Alan felt when the dog he was supposed to be watching disappeared?
- Imagination: Why do you think Abdul Gasazi's garden was forbidden to dogs?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever been responsible for watching a pet? What was that like?
- Critical thinking: Do you think magic really happened in the garden, or was there another explanation?
