Oh, how I love stories by Cynthia Rylant. In The Van Gogh Cafe (1995), she's woven several tales into a tapestry that makes me smile--again. This is why I always choose her titles from library book sales while trying hide my excitement from the other bargain hunters. "The Van Gosh Cafe is owned by a young man named Marc and his daughter, Clara. Clara is one reason for all of the magic in the cafe. She is ten and believes anything might happen." And things happen. Unexplained, good things. Things that brighten everyone's day and remind us that tomorrow is on its way with something new, something warm, and fuzzy, and hopeful. Yes, the rain falls. Actually, snow falls: "Kansas is hit with one of the all-time biggest snowstorms in its history." A bus carrying fourteen young children slides and hits a pole, fortunately only one-half mile from the cafe. Fortunately, because there's something magical waiting for them there. Do I hoard this marvelous story by slipping it into my bookshelf, or do I release it back into the world, just as someone did for me?
Individualized for Independence has Questions for Van Gogh Cafe. Classroom in the Middle has a Menu Activity.
