The Sweetest Fig facts for kids
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| Author | Chris Van Allsburg |
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| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy picture book |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
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Publication date
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25 October 1993 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 32 pp (hardcover edition) |
| ISBN | 978-0-395-67346-1 (hardcover edition) |
| OCLC | 27769414 |
| LC Class | PZ7.V266 Sw 1993 |
| Preceded by | The Widow's Broom |
| Followed by | Bad Day at Riverbend |
The Sweetest Fig is a children's fantasy picture book written in 1993 by American author Chris Van Allsburg. It tells the story of a rich, unkind French dentist who eats a special fig. This fig makes his wildest dreams come true.
The Story of Monsieur Bibot
Monsieur Bibot is a very wealthy dentist. He lives by himself in a fancy apartment in Paris, France. He has a dog named Marcel, but he is not very kind to him.
One day, a poor old woman comes to Bibot's office. She needs a tooth pulled out. Bibot removes her tooth, but he does not try to make it less painful for her. When the woman cannot pay him with money, Bibot gets angry. Instead of cash, she gives him two figs. She tells him these figs will make his dreams come true. Bibot just laughs at her idea of magical figs. He also refuses to give her any medicine for the pain.
Bibot's First Dream Comes True
Later that night, Bibot eats one of the figs as a snack. He soon finds out the old woman was right! The next morning, everything from his dream the night before has happened. Bibot finds himself walking Marcel in Paris wearing only his underwear. People stare at him as he walks by. Even the famous Eiffel Tower has bent over!
Bibot is very embarrassed and upset by this strange event. He decides he will try to control his dreams. He plans to use hypnosis on himself. His goal is to dream about becoming the richest man in the world. This selfish plan also means he would leave Marcel behind. Bibot has continued to treat Marcel badly in many ways.
Marcel's Revenge
One evening, Bibot is getting dinner ready. The second fig is sitting on the table. Marcel, the dog, quickly eats the fig! Bibot is furious and chases the dog around the house. He is very sad about losing the fig. Bibot then goes to sleep.
The next morning, something amazing happens. Bibot wakes up underneath his bed – as the dog! Bibot and Marcel have switched bodies. Bibot is shocked. He realizes that Marcel, the dog, had been dreaming about getting revenge on his mean owner all along. Marcel, who is now in human form, tells Bibot it is time for his walk. Bibot tries to yell, but all he can do is bark.
Film Plans
On August 1, 2018, a movie company called 20th Century Fox bought the rights to make "The Sweetest Fig" into a film. This happened before Disney bought 20th Century Fox. Paul Feig was set to direct the movie. William Teitler, Mike Weber, Ted Field, and Jessie Henderson were going to produce it.
